1st Edition

Environmental Challenges and Governance Diverse perspectives from Asia

Edited By Sacchidananda Mukherjee, Debashis Chakraborty Copyright 2015
    282 Pages 15 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    306 Pages 15 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    The economies located in East, South and Southeast Asia have witnessed an interesting growth-sustainability trade-off over the last decades. While growth considerations have paved ways for deepened ties with growing trade-investment waves and increasing population pressure necessitated exploitation of hitherto unutilized natural resources, focus on environmental sustainability has been a recent consideration. The growth impetus still playing a key role in these economies, it becomes imperative that the countries effectively address the key sustainability concerns, e.g. air and water pollution, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, climate change issues like CO2 emissions etc. But how prepared is the governance mechanism of these countries, covering not only the legislative and administrative framework but also involvement of the judiciary, presence of spirited civil society and active engagement of stakeholders in policy-framing dialogues, to rise up to these challenges?

    The book seeks an answer to this question through the environmental governance mechanism and natural resource conservation policies in three vibrant regions within Asia. A holistic development dimension of sustainable development path emerges, through discussion of policies adopted by developed (Japan, South Korea), upper-middle (China, Malaysia), developing (India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand) and least developed countries (Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal).

    1. Editor’s Introduction: Environmental Challenges in the times of Economic Growth – An Asian Odyssey, Sacchidananda Mukherjee and Debashis Chakraborty Part 1: Environmental Perspectives from South Asia 2. Environmental Governance in Bangladesh: Policy Dynamics, Present State and Challenges, Golam Rabbani 3. Walking a Thin Line between Growth and Development Concerns? Environmental Governance in India, Sacchidananda Mukherjee and Debashis Chakraborty 4. Understanding the State of Environmental Governance in Nepal, Madhukar Upadhya and Bibek Raj Kandel 5. State of the Environment, Environmental Challenges and Governance in Sri Lanka, Nalaka Geekiyanage, Meththika Vithanage, Hasintha Wijesekara and Gamini Pushpakumara Part 2: Environmental Perspectives from Southeast Asia 6. The Challenges of Environmental Governance in a Democratic and Decentralized Indonesia, Fitrian Ardiansyah, Melati and Astari Anjani 7. Confronting the ‘New Scarcity’? Environmental Governance in Malaysia, Adnan A. Hezri and Mahadi Alizan 8. Starting from Year Zero: Environmental Governance in Myanmar, Adam Simpson 9. Environmental Governance in the Philippines: Challenges and Prospects, Tina Saavedra Clemente 10. Democracy and Environmental Governance in Thailand, Adam Simpson Part 3: Environmental Perspectives from East Asia 11. Governing Environment in China: Lessons from Using Land and Water, Chen Shi, Yang Yuan and Rong Tan 12. The State of Environment and Energy Governance in Japan, Masahiko Iguchi and Maki Koga 13. Green-blind Growth: A Critical Appraisal of Environmental Governance in the Republic of Korea, Rakhyun E. Kim 14. Environmental Governance Scenario in Asia - Lessons for the Future, Sacchidananda Mukherjee and Debashis Chakraborty

    Biography

    Sacchidananda Mukherjee is an Associate Professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), New Delhi. His research interests include public finance, environmental economics, water resources management and human development. He has co-edited the book Environmental Scenario in India: Successes and Predicaments published by Routledge.

    Debashis Chakraborty is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. His research interests include international trade policy and WTO negotiations, environmental sustainability and Indian economic development. He has co-edited the book on Environmental Scenario in India: Successes and Predicaments published by Routledge.

    'Based on the legal, administrative and judicial policies of countries in East Asia, South Asia and South East Asia, this book addresses the challenges in environmental governance in ensuring sustainability from a development perspective. In the context of achieving 18 UN SDGs during 2015- 2030, students, teachers and environmental policy makers will benefit immensely by reading this unique book.' — Ulaganathan Sankar, Honorary Professor, Madras School of Economics