Premium
The role of institutional strengthening in international environmental consulting
Author(s) -
Horberry J.,
Le Marchant M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
public administration and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-162X
pISSN - 0271-2075
DOI - 10.1002/pad.4230110407
Subject(s) - work (physics) , sustainability , business , control (management) , politics , sustainable development , environmental planning , political science , economics , engineering , management , mechanical engineering , ecology , environmental science , law , biology
Abstract This article aims to describe, with the aid of a number of case studies, the role consultants are playing in bringing improved environmental management to fruition in developing countries. In spite of environmental considerations entering the political agenda in the early 1970s, global environmental deterioration continues. Donor agencies have thus recently greatly accelerated their assistance in this area, but are themselves not equipped to deal with many of the problems and issues and so have hired consultants to undertake aspects of the work programme. Typically consultants are undertaking sector studies, pollution control, environmental improvement studies, and project and programme assessment, and are seen as being primarily responsible for technical aspects. It has become clear that unless technical recommendations are firmly tied into institutional and management structures, the goal of long‐term sustainability of projects will not be realized. Whilst the need for institutional strengthening in this respect is widely recognized, it often fails to materialize as a consequence of internal resistances. Furthermore, environmental goals are still often seen as secondary and contradictory to economic development goals, and are therefore not taken adequately seriously. The article includes four case studies, which illustrate the kinds of measures which are currently considered to be necessary to ensure the implementation of sustainable development programmes and projects.