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Reform of the Clean Development Mechanism (COM) is a key issue in advancing the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol. The CDM was created with the mutual objectives of providing cost-effective abatement opportunities for industrialized countries and to advance sustainable development in developing countries. Current literature, however, suggests that the CDM is failing to deliver on its promise of a 'development dividend'. This article compares and contrasts different host-country approval processes and investigates how this is reflected in CDM project quality. The implementation of the 'development dividend' in six countries (China, India, Brazil, Peru, Malaysia and South Africa) is analysed, using the Project Design Documents of 122 projects. Investment risks in these host countries are compared to the quality and quantity of projects in these countries. Potential drivers and barriers to achieving a higher 'development dividend' are discussed and best-practice approaches to project appraisal identified. The paper concludes that the host countries' frameworks for CDM project approval fall short of achieving a 'development dividend', with the exception of Peru. Peru takes a distinct approach involving stakeholder involvement and on-site visits to confirm the projects' contribution to sustainable development, instead of a desk-based assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The OECD sustainable development indicators are being used in the various OECD peer reviews so as to ‘mainstream’ sustainable development. This article examines the ways in which the sustainable development indicators in the OECD economic surveys and environmental performance reviews (EPRs) have been used, and the types of learning they have engendered in the reviewed countries. Largely because of the deficiencies in the process of designing the indicator framework, the sustainable development sections in the economic surveys in 2001–2004 failed to be sufficiently salient, credible and legitimate to the key stakeholders to have an appreciable impact. The EPRs have ‘empowered’ environmental authorities by legitimizing calls for stronger environmental policies, thereby generating government, social and policy learning. The EPRs will need to appeal to a broader range of stakeholders and thereby generate outside pressure. To do so, the EPRs should develop more standardized ‘process’ and ‘response’ indicators, allowing cross-country comparisons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the factors involved in establishing a legal framework for regulating sustainable development in Central Asia. As most environmental problems are not limited by national boundaries, international cooperation is required. Widespread political support for such cooperation has been expressed at the highest levels of government. Certain areas of Central Asia which face environmental difficulties are specified, including the Aral Sea Basin, Amu Darya rivers and the many regions threatened by desertification.

The authors examine the role of integrated appraisal as a tool for promoting sustainable development and good governance, and the potential tensions that may exist between these two objectives. Drawing upon experience in the United Kingdom, it is argued that an undue emphasis on governance issues may compromise the rigour of integrated-appraisal methodologies and result in a loss of focus upon sustainability concerns, particularly those related to environmental matters. This framework of ideas is explored further with reference to the development of an integrated Appraisal Toolkit for the North West region of England. Ways in which integrated appraisal can retain its place within the suite of environmental assessment tools as a way of supporting more sustainable patterns of development, and at the same time contributing to good governance, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the legal regime present in the Arctic regions to address socio-economic and environmental concerns. According to the author, The Arctic Council which includes representatives of indigenous organization developed from the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy as a regional forum to address sustainable development issues. It is a voluntary body consisting of the eight Arctic States with limited power to make non-binding decisions. The author reviews the threats and challenges facing the Arctic and discusses the consequences of stakeholder positions. He suggests options for possible improvements in the legal regime.

China faces a major pollution problem caused by its rapid industrialisation. There is domestic and international pressure on China to address pollution urgently due to its serious environmental and human health consequences. This article considers in detail the Chinese legal framework for pollution control in the unique context of the Chinese legal and political system. It explores the acceptance by the Chinese government of sustainable development as a key objective, and the extent to which policy implementation and law enforcement can be successful in achieving a more sustainable China. Future law reforms and the resources required in order to improve sustainability and reduce pollution are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental compensation has been discussed in Europe for a long time and in the Swedish context for almost a decade, but it was not until the latest environmental legislation came into force in 1999 that it became easier to formally require compensation for loss of environmental value. The use of compensation can be one method in trying to reach a more sustainable development. The work with EIA for roads ensures that avoidance of damage to nature is given serious attention. Still, impacts that could require compensation measures will remain. This paper examines 15 planned Swedish state road projects in order to investigate the intended use of environmental compensation. The analysis serves to point out problems and opportunities for improvement to facilitate the use of compensation. The results show that while environmental compensation is proposed in several projects, measures are seldom explicitly documented or interpreted as compensation measures. The planning process also needs to be better coordinated. The most explicitly described environmental compensation in the Swedish projects is connected to water issues, while compensation for impacts in small biotopes is rare. The proposed measures are almost never in sufficient proportion to the damage that is caused. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive requires a weighing up of environmental and economic interests in order to allow for deviation from valid environmental standards. This provision has to be interpreted in the light of the tasks and aims of the European treaties, especially in the light of sustainable development (SD). It is not only a political aim, but was also introduced in the European treaties in 1997 as both legally binding task and goal. This paper develops a comprehensive interpretative understanding of these provisions and their consequences for the application of European environmental law. SD is usually understood as being one aim amongst others and having three dimensions of SD (ecological, social and economic) of equal weight. This concept of equal weight contradicts the idea of a common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR), which is an essential part of SD. The CBDR requires that ‘SD’ has de facto different meanings in different member states according to their economic development. Therefore, Article 6 of the Habitats Directive may only be applied in those areas of the Community having a development lag. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on a comprehensive review of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) for the Sustainable Development of SIDS or small island developing states, which was called for in the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The BPOA sets forth specific actions and measures at the national, regional, and international levels in support of the sustainable development of SIDS. BPOA is a 14-point program that identifies priority areas and specific actions necessary for addressing the special challenges faced by SIDS. Some of the priority areas are: climate change and sea-level rise, natural and environmental disasters, and management of wastes.

This article focuses on the ecology of global economic power and the role of changing investment practices to promote environmental sustainability. The power of global corporate capital and the power of major cities representing destructive forces was examined and considered as sources of solutions. The seventh goal of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals is to ensure environmental sustainability. Such goal aims to integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources. It was said that markets are important institutional components in developed and developing economies. They are seen as enabling sustainable development in poorer countries, as they can mobilize forces and capital that greatly surpass foreign aid.

Examines a policy mechanism known as extended producer responsibility (EPR) as a method of integrating sustainable development principles into international trade based on an international environmental law principle known as the Polluter Pays Principle. Proponents of EPR; Timeline for the history of sustainable development; Understanding of how EPR can fit into the environmental and trade law regime.

This article discusses the relation of clean energy and sustainable development. There has been an international consensus that energy is essential to achieving the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development. But experience has shown that the kind of energy and the way it is used are important determinants of the degree of sustainability achieved. And continuing along the current path of energy development is not only incompatible with sustainable development objectives but also means that the world's vulnerability to supply disruptions will increase as international trade and competition expand.

This article presents a declaration from the participants in the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, held at Port Louis, Mauritius, from January 10-14, 2005. The representatives reaffirm the continued validity of the Barbados Programme of Action as the blueprint providing the fundamental framework for the sustainable development of small island developing states. And they further reaffirm their commitment to the Principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment.

This article presents the conclusions and recommendations of the Round Table Dialogue on Advancing the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) through the Rule of Law, held at the United Nations Environment Programme Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya on February 16-17, 2005. It is recognized that the implementation of a number of the elements of Montevideo Programme III have a direct impact on the fulfillment of the MDG, in particular MDG 7, ensuring environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that the fulfillment of MDG 7 is intertwined with the achievement of the other Goals and Targets, and especially MDG 1, poverty alleviation.

The article offers information about the Karl Schmitz-Scholl Fund for Environmental Law and Policy and the Elizabeth Haub Foundation for Environmental Law and Policy in the U.S. The Karl Schmitz-Scholl Fund for Environmental Law and Policy was founded in 1968 by Elizabeth Haub in honor of her father's 100th birthday. The Elizabeth Haub Foundation (US) was established by Helga Haub in 1981 and its sister organization opened in Canada in 1996. Both organizations work in conjunction with international and national organizations throughout the world, such as The International Council of Environmental Law (ICEL) and The IUCN-Environmental Law Programme (IUCN-ELP). They are also involved in the drafting of nearly all legally binding treaties on the environment and sustainable development.

The article focuses on the Environment Protection Act passed by the Legislative Council in Victoria. The bill will aim to redirect the Victorian environmental management towards greater concentration on sustainability and will help deliver the government's aspirations for sustainable state. The purpose of the Environment Protection Act include modernizing the licensing provisions in the Act by providing amalgamation licenses for multiple premises, establishment of metropolitan local government's waste forum that consists of representatives from metropolitan councils, and allowing translation of national environment protection measure into regulation with or without modification.