Development strategy of the developing countries

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            There is no denying the fact that the relationship integrated between growth and the environment is not a new-fangled concept as it is based on intensive project appraisal and setting up new reforms based on modern technology. The monetary growth of the developing countries was one of the foremost issues in the world’s first environmental symposium, in Stockholm in 1972. The successive conference corroborated that without taking into account the development issue of the developing countries environmental issues would not be solved. The development issue of the South helped to develop the concept of ‘sustainable development’. This concept gives emphasis on development while at the same time recognises its relationship with environment. Although there exists acknowledgement of  the need to achieve a sustainable balance between environment and development,  the perspectives of the North and South differs in this respect. The North gives more emphasis on environmental protection while the South on development. Although these different attitudes create some situations of conflict between the two sides, there are number of  examples of some sort of co-operation also existing between them.

           

             

            ‘Sustainable development’ means promoting development with preserving the environment for the interest of present as well as future generations.(Source, Nico J, Schrijver,Course lecture on Principles of International Law for Pursuing Sustainable development and Protecting Environment, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague). Sustainable development gives emphasis on the fulfilment of the basic needs of the poor people. It aims at solving   ecological problem and poverty at the same time.In a simple phrase, it means economic development with low environmental pollution. According to Gary S. Hartshorn ‘sustainable development’ means to improve the quality of life of humans without depleting renewable and non-renewable natural resources. This contrasts with traditional development models that  stresses the increase of Gross National Product(GNP) through economic growth which is often based on rapid depletion of the natural resources base.(Source, Key environmental Issues for Developing Countries, page 398, Gary S. Hartshorn, Journal of International Affairs Vol.44/No.2,winter 1992).

            In 1987, Mrs Gro Harlem Brundtland, the chair of the  World Commission on Environment and development, produced the landmark report Our Common Future. The report which is now known as the Brundtland report, made a big impact by linking environmental and developmental issue through the concept of ‘sustainable development’. The concept came and reduced the intellectual and political gap on environmental issue between the North and South, which had been apparent since Stockholm. At that time the South was arguing for economic growth and North was arguing for environmental protection.(Source, The Greening of Machiavelli, The Evolution of International Environmental Politics, Tony Brenton, page 128, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Energy and environmental Programme).

           

           

            The view of the developing countries on the environmental issue differs substantially from that of the developed countries. According to  view from the South,  as the Northern countries are the main beneficiaries of the process of economic growth so they are responsible for the world’s environmental problem. As the South have no economic alternative,  they exploit their natural resources only for their economic development. They exploit their natural resources to deal with their poverty. For example it is very difficult to tell a rural farmer in Brazil to stop cutting the rain forest where he must grow crops to feed his family. In the developing countries, forest clearance is not essentially for timber, domestic use or export, but rather for agricultural cultivation.(Source, Key Environmental Issues for Developing Countries, Gary S.Hartshorn,page 399, Journal of International Affairs, Vol.44/No.2, winter,1992). High population growth is a serious problem for the Southern countries. It increases pressure on natural resources and creates more environmental problems. For that reason it is not very easy for the developing countries to attain ‘sustainable development’. Nafis Sadik mentioned in one of her writings that these developing countries understand the importance of protecting the environment, but are compelled to resort to environmentally unsound practices in order to survive.(Source, Towards Sustainable Development: The Critical role of Population, Nafis Sadik, page 450, Perspective of Global Responsibility). For sustainable development therefore,  developing countries need technological and financial support from the developed world.

            On the other hand, as the developed countries have already achieved their economic growth, so it is comparatively easier for them to concentrate on environmental issue.They can use alternative way which will be more  environmentally sound for them. However, they also have  their own problem. For example, the people in the developed countries do not want to assume any new burden.There exists unemployment problems in many developed countries. For these reason overseas aid is always under financial pressure in developed countries. Technology transfer is also a problem for the developed countries, as it is usually  in the possession of private companies, which usually have their own priorities about the countries to which they  can or should be advantageously be supplied to. For that reason, they do not transfer their technology at a cost that the South can afford. On the other hand, a minority of developed country still deny the connection between economic development and environmental protection.(Source, Development for the People and the Environment, Richard Sandbrook,page 403, The Journal of International Affairs, Vol.44/No.2 winter, 1991).Such countries argue that  it is difficult for developed countries to change the present patterns of production and consumption for the environments sake.

             What ever is the problem and position taken by  both the developed and developing countries, the transition of the developing countries to sustainability will require support from the developed countries. If the Northern  does not help in the development needs of the South, then the environmental issue is bound to create conflict.