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Asian Environment Outlook 2001 :
II. Driving Forces of Change
Toward Sustainable Development
Emerging trends pose a challenge to policy makers to construct systems of governance and policy frameworks that
bring the powerful forces of globalization (above all, intensified international flows of capital, technology,
information, and ideas) to bear on fostering environmental health and sustainable development in the Asia and Pacific
region (see Box 2-10). As illustrated in this chapter, environmental outcomes depend on how the driving forces
of change are harnessed to achieve various societal and environmental goals. Chapter 3 discusses opportunities
(including regional successes) to direct these driving forces toward sustainable development.
Box 2-10. Emerging Trends
A number of trends are emerging in the Asia and Pacific region that will likely accelerate or intensify the impact of the driving
forces discussed above. These trends, which are listed below, bring opportunities and pitfalls, depending on how and if
policy makers in the region consider them during policy formulation.
- Deeper integration of regional and global economies; continued globalization of trade and investment; and increased
public concern over the environmental, social, political, and economic consequences of this integration
- Increasing demand for inclusive and participatory governance, driven in part by increased access to information
- Emergence of ever-larger cities with populations of 10 to 20 million
Current patterns indicate economic globalization will intensify over the next two decades. International webs of trade,
investment, and market connection will deepen and become more geographically extensive. Trade as a percentage of GDP
among the East Asian newly industrializing countries (NIC) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) increased from 19
percent in 1970 to 58 percent in 1996. In 1997, East Asia and the PRC were the recipients of approximately half of worldwide
foreign direct investments in developing economies. Despite concerns over economic globalization, international trade and
market interconnection are likely to remain the development model of choice within the region. The role of large, multinational
corporations will continue to grow, partly through a process of economic consolidation in which industries worldwide become
dominated by a smaller number of multinational corporations. Harnessing economic globalization to address the goals of
poverty reduction and reduced environmental degradation is likely to emerge as one of the greatest policy challenges facing
the leaders of DMCs over the next decade.
Demands for inclusive and participatory democracy will continue to intensify within the region, driven in part by increased
access to information on a global scale. The effects of information technology on the ability of social groups to mobilize on a
local, regional, national, and international scale are emerging. It is critical that shifts in governance structures provide for
effective management of difficult environmental problems. Of particular importance is the accuracy of information available,
the technical capability of NGOs and other social groups, and other prerequisites for effective participation in governance
structures.
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Source: World Bank 1998
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