'Goes deep into the details and presents the available scientifi c data for explaining the different issues using interdisciplinary approaches ... Extremely useful, especially [for] teachers.'
Alexandre Kiss, formerly President, European Council on Environmental Law

'This is the most thoughtful, interdisciplinary and practical introduction to sustainable development that I have read. It is an outstanding contribution to the field and it is recommended as an excellent source for academics, researchers and students. It is particularly useful for the insights into global, regional and economic aspects and makes workable suggestions for the way forward.'
Professor Donna Craig, Centre for Environmental Law, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

'The authors use uncomplicated language and simple illustrations to explain the underlying concepts of sustainable development. The book provides an in valuable introduction to the subject for students, professionals and the lay public.'
Ralph Mitchell, Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Biology, Harvard University, USA

'This excellent book is a must for libraries, students and researchers in environmental law. The authors bring with them a wealth of practical experience from different dimensions ... and provide a refreshing insight into the issues posed by the environment.'
Emeritus Professor Koh Kheng-Lian of the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore

'A truly worthwhile compendium focusing on sustainable development issues.'
Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations

'The conceptual breadth is impressive. The examples and many graphics are appealing ... downright useful.'
Richard Forman, Professor of Landscape Ecology, Harvard School of Design, USA

'It is a wonderful presentation of a diverse set of information.'
Professor Allan Freeze, former Professor and Director in the Geological Engineering Program at the University of British Columbia, Canada

'A seminal and highly readable book.'
Charles Okidi, Professor, Institute for Development Studies, and Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies on Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP), University of Nairobi, Kenya

This volume is the most comprehensive textbook on sustainable development. It has been developed with students and professionals from around the world specifically for those who need a thorough grounding in the subject. Coverage includes: background to sustainable development and global environmental issues; measurement and sustainability indicators; environmental assessment, management and policy; approaches and linkages to poverty reduction; impacts and infrastructure development; economics, consumption, production and market failures; governance; participation; disaster management; international financial institutions; international environmental agreements; and the role of civil society.

About the author(s)

Peter P. Rogers is Gordon McKay Professor of Environmental Engineering and Professor of City Planning, Harvard University, USA. Kazi F. Jalal is a lecturer at Harvard’s Extension School and was Chief of the Offi ce of Environment and Social Development of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). John A. Boyd, formerly a lawyer at ADB, has been a guest lecturer at the Harvard Extension School and served as an ADB Principal Sector Specialist on Sustainable Development.

Contents

Foreword * From Malthus to Sustainable Development * Challenges of Sustainable Development * Global Environmental Issues * Sustainable Development Indicators * Environmental Assessment * Environmental Management: Trends and Policies * Legislation, International Law, and Multilateral Environmental Agreements * Social Dimensions and Policies * The Economics of Sustainability * Sustainability: Externalities, Valuation, and Time Externalities * Natural Resource Accounting * The Role of International Financial Institutions * International Cooperation * Sustainable Development: Crisis, Conflict, and Compromise * Index