Public opinion often perceives economic and financial considerations 'as antithetical to environmental concerns. Is this opposition inevitable or can it be overcome? Is it not possible, or indeed essential, to reconcile these two major trends of the century, on the one hand economic development and growth, and on the other the continued viability of the planet and its resources?. Economic analysis of environmental problems has made considerable progress in recent decades. Growing concern about sustainable development, and more particularly environmental and climate change, have given emphasis to this body of research. At a time when sustainable development has entered an action phase, this book aims to provide readers with most of the material on these issues presented by the outstanding participants in the Overview II conference "Finance and sustainable development: opposition or partnership". lt seeks to contribute to an understanding of issues for which, despite the urgency, a short-term decision agenda cannot be specified without a clear and sound grasp of long-term concerns
