Since the 1980s, and especially since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, there has been a substantial extension in the adoption and use of Environmental Assessment (EA) procedures in developing countries and countries in transition (low and middle income countries). However, few existing texts in environmental assessment or development studies have reflected this trend sufficiently, until this publication. The book is divided into two main parts:

• Part 1: EA Principles, Processes and Practice. EA procedures and practice in low and middle income countries are overviewed in six different regions of the world. They are then examined, in greater detail, in each of the key stages in the EA process.
• Part 2: Country and Institutional Studies of EA Procedures and Practice. This section includes six country studies that cover Chile, Indonesia, Russia, Nepal, Jordan and Zimbabwe. Three institutional studies review EA procedures and practice in the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and bilateral development agencies.

Environmental Assessment in Developing and Transitional Countries is intended for students on courses in environmental assessment, environmental planning and management, development studies and project appraisal. It will also be invaluable to many practitioners including those dealing with environment and development issues in government administrations, environmental agencies, NGOs, bilateral aid agencies, international development organisations, consultancies and international and regional development banks.