Protecting the Global Environment: Initiatives by Japanese Business

In an effort to develop global environmental policies there is a clear division between developed and developing countries. Developing countries are faced with significant issues such as poverty reduction and economic growth stimulation. These countries may also harbor resentment toward the developed countries as the source of environmental damage. Additionally, environmental problems can impact countries differently.

This paper, a cooperative effort by the World Bank Institute and the Development Bank of Japan, seeks to further discussion of the connection between environmental concerns and national development policies. By outlining three specific examples from the steel, power and forestry sectors, in Japan, it demonstrates how remarkable environmental improvements can occur while improving production efficiency.

This volume is the result of a cooperative effort between the world Bank Institute and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) to encourage policy discussion of the links between global environmental concerns and national development policies and programs. The report is based on the premise that policymakers traditionally have not viewed global environmental problems, such as climate change, as collateral outcomes of their national sustainable development agenda. Therefore, the objective of this report is to present case studies that demonstrate how policy reform and investments can together produce national economic benefits while mitigating carbon emissions associated with climate change. These examples from Japan, which highlight the " software " aspects of change instead of the technology (for example, the important role of public-private sector cooperation, pricing incentives, and community participation) will be relevant for developing countries where the potential for these sources of change have not been sufficiently exploited.

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Case studies are presented which demonstrate how policy reform and investments can produce national economic benefits while mitigating carbon emissions associated with climate change. Examples from Japan highlight non-technological aspects of change such as the role of public-private sector cooperation, pricing incentives, and community participation. The cases will be relevant for developing countries where the potential for these sources of change have not been exploited. This study was initiated as part of the World Bank Institute's Program on Integration of Global Environment Concerns in National Sustainable Development. There is no subject index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)