The Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD) defines biodiversity as the variability among living
organisms from all sources including, inter alia,
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the
ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes
diversity within species, between species, and of
ecosystems. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and TEEB
(The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) demonstrated

This report provides an analysis of the
spatial planning system in Romania and suggests ways in
which it can be improved. Romania has recently experienced a
proliferation of plans, strategies, and policies developed
at all administrative levels. Adding to this, the analysis
of territorial and urban development in Romania reveals
important dynamics and challenges, such as uncontrolled
expansion of built perimeters, increased pressures on

China's national leaders have
recently made a priority of changing lanes from a
pollution-intensive, growth-at-any-cost model to a
resource-efficient and sustainable one. The immense
challenges of rapid urbanization are one aspect of the
problem. Central-local government relations are another
source of challenges, since the central government's
green agenda does not always find willing followers at lower

It is a virtual certainty that sea-level
rise will continue throughout the century and beyond 2100
even if greenhouse gas emissions are stabilized in the near
future. Understanding the economic impacts of salinity
intrusion thus is essential for planning adaptation in
low-lying coastal areas around the world. This paper
presents a case study in Bangladesh on how climate change
leads to the spread of soil salinity and the impact on

The great 21st-century migration into
cities will present both a great challenge for humanity and
a significant opportunity for global economic growth. This
paper describes the diverse patterns that define this
metropolitan migration. It then lays out a framework for
understanding the costs and benefits of new arrivals through
migration's externalities and the challenges and policy
tradeoffs that confront city stakeholders. The paper

This economy profile for Doing Business
2015 presents the 11 Doing Business indicators for
Indonesia. To allow for useful comparison, the profile also
provides data for other selected economies (comparator
economies) for each indicator. Doing Business 2015 is the
12th edition in a series of annual reports measuring the
regulations that enhance business activity and those that
constrain it. Economies are ranked on their ease of doing

The enabling environment for the
development of Nepal has improved, but opportunities need to
be effectively leveraged through focused policy action.
Nepal has significant resources in the form of remittances
from abroad, but the economy cannot use these resources in a
productive manner to enhance the overall welfare of all
citizens. Specific priorities for development include: (1)
creating a growth promotion vision and agenda; (2)

This paper aims to inform
Armenia's policy dialogue on environmental and social
issues in the mining sector. The paper is based on the
premise that for the mining sector to have positive,
long-term impacts in Armenia, it is necessary to take into
consideration the short- and long-term environmental and
social impacts of the sector and to promote strategic
planning and efficient management of natural resources. The

India’s sustained and rapid economic
growth offers an opportunity to lift millions out of
poverty. But this may come at a steep cost to the nation’s
environment and natural resources. This insightful book
analyzes India’s growth from an economic perspective and
assesses whether India can grow in a “green” and sustainable
manner. Three key issues are addressed. The first is the

Investment decision making is already
difficult for any diverse group of actors with different
priorities and views. But the presence of deep uncertainties
linked to climate change and other future conditions further
challenges decision making by questioning the robustness of
all purportedly optimal solutions. While decision makers can
continue to use the decision metrics they have used in the
past (such as net present value), alternative methodologies

This economy profile for Doing Business
2015 presents the 11 Doing Business indicators for Romania.
To allow for useful comparison, the profile also provides
data for other selected economies (comparator economies) for
each indicator. Doing Business 2015 is the 12th edition in a
series of annual reports measuring the regulations that
enhance business activity and those that constrain it.
Economies are ranked on their ease of doing business; for

Contaminated sites associated with
economic growth and development and increased urbanization
pose a growing public health and environmental problem.
Emissions and discharges, particularly uncontrolled ones,
onto land can pollute the soil and the groundwater beneath,
and can also affect surface water quality and sediments in
nearby rivers and streams. This document is intended to
summarize the rationale and the major policy, regulatory,