This booklet is a summary of World Bank Discussion Paper no. 224

Incluye bibliografía

This booklet is a summary of World Bank Discussion Paper no. 224

Acknowledgments -- Toward and environmental strategy for Asia -- The state of the environment in Asia -- A framework for improving environmental management -- Urban environmental management -- Approaches to industrial pollution -- Minimizing energy sector impacts -- Natural resource management: land, forests, and biodiversity -- Water resource management -- The World Bank environmental strategy -- Appendix

This booklet summarizes the findings and recommendations of a more detailed study that is being published by the World Bank as a separate Discussion Paper. The study was undertaken to address the need arising from both within and outside the World Bank for: (a) an assessment of the trends and impacts of environmental problems in Asia; (b) a synthesis of the World Bank ' s experience in assisting Asian countries with environmental management; and (c) a clear statement on World Bank principles and priorities for environmental-related assistance in the near future. After briefly summarizing the nature and magnitude of environmental problems in Asia, the report presents the key components of a strategy to improve environmental management. The report then discusses environmental strategies for five different sectors - urban environmental management, industry, energy, natural resources, and water resources - in greater detail. Finally, the last section outlines the World Bank ' s potential role in assisting Asian countries to address environmental issues. The environmental emphasis of the Bank ' s lending program and analytical work has grown over the last several years and is expected to grow futher. However there are areas in which the Bank can potentially do more, as outlined in this report.