Sustainable development strategies: a resource book

This resource book provides guidance on how to develop, implement and assess national sustainable development strategies (NSDSs). It is based on an analysis of past and current practice, in both developed and developing countries, to undertake comprehensive approaches to sustainable development.

The book offers background on the rationale for strategies for sustainable development. It discusses the nature and challenges of sustainable development and the need for strategic responses to them. The book also covers the practice of NSDSs. It offers guidance on the main tasks in strategy processes, with individual chapters dealing with:

• the nature of sustainable development strategies and current practices
• key steps in starting, managing and improving sustainable development strategies
• methods of analysis
• participation in strategies
• communications, information and education
• strategy decision-making and linkages
• the financial basis for strategies
• monitoring and evaluation systems

Finally, an extensive list of references is provided. Other sources of materials, as well as useful contacts with addresses and websites, are provided on the strategies website, and will be of use to those involved in NSDSs on a day-to-day basis as well as academics and researchers wishing to explore NSDSs further..