Towards Sustainable Development in Industry?: Reports from Seven Developing and Transition Economies

Many developing and transition economies have not yet undertaken the policy integration measures needed to enhance the impact of industry on sustainable development. In this original and insightful book, national experts from Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Pakistan, Tunisia, Turkey and Zimbabwe - countries which all have designated national sustainable development strategies - report on the extent to which recent changes in industrial, environmental and technology policies have more closely aligned industrial development with the aims of sustainable development.

For each country, the authors critically assess a number of important topics including, amongst others, broad trends in sustainable development; policies for promoting growth of the manufacturing sector; policies and institutions for (industrial) environmental management; efforts to encourage the use of environmentally sound technologies; obstacles to enhancing the contribution of manufacturing to sustainable development; and priorities for future action. The results prove disappointing and reveal that none of the seven countries has yet achieved the degree of policy integration that could be characterised as an industrial component of a national sustainable development strategy. Compared to ten years ago, industry in only two of the seven countries (China and the Czech Republic) is making any substantial contribution to socio-economic development whilst attempting to reduce its negative effects on the environment. However, the country reports do identify some positive steps that have been taken and that other countries might adopt in their efforts to enhance the impacts of industry on sustainable development.

This book charts the progress towards sustainable development of seven developing and transition economies and the consequences of industry on this objective. The realistic assessment of the advances which have been made will be of particular benefit and interest to practitioners of economic development, industrial economics and environmental management.

Edited by Ralph A. Luken, Former Economist, Environmental Protection Agency, US and Former Senior Environmental Adviser, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Vienna, Austria and Paul Hesp, Independent Consultant, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Vienna, Austria