The papers in this volume discuss the most serious problems affecting sustainable development. They consider the impact of economic constraints on the environment, taking into account the social aspects as well as the over-use of natural resources. Uncontrolled development can also result in damage to the environment in terms of the release of toxic substances and hazardous waste. Thus, attention is paid to issues related to whether some forms of development are compatible with environmental protection, particularly in cases of possible serious contamination and toxicity.

The focus in the book is on more constructive and progressive approaches to the problems discussed, to ensure sustainability. The hope is that through the shared experiences of experts, we can learn from past failure, to avoid repeating similar mistakes, while attempting to prevent emerging threats to the environmental and ecological systems.  Fundamental to these concepts are an analysis of the inherent risks and the development of appropriate strategies.

The papers in this book cover such topics as: Environmental assessments; Environmental policies and planning; Water resources management; Natural resources management; Legislation and regulations; Development issues; Economic impact.