by: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

A major review of sustainable development issues and environmental conditions and trends in Asia and the Pacific
Published very five years by UNESCAP since 1985, with the generous support of the Government of Japan, and in collaboration with partners such as the ADB and UNEP .

Key findings form the basis for the deliberations at the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development Supported by nationally-designated SOE focal points.

The State of the Environment in Asia and the Pacific 2005 report takes a new and deeper look at the pressures on the environment arising from rapid economic growth in the region.

It argues that member governments have made progress in improving environmental performance (i.e. environmental governance and responses to common environmental policy concerns). However, because of the limited environmental carrying capacity of the region and the immense pressure exerted by the changing consumption and production patterns, environmental degradation continues.

For true environmental sustainability, a long-term perspective, greater focus on the eco-efficiency of production and consumption activity, investment in natural resources and true measures of sustainability inter-alia, is needed. In keeping with the theme of MCED 2005, the publication elaborates on "green growth" policy measures as a key requirement for achieving MDG 7 (environmental sustainability) and MDG 1 (poverty reduction).

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