A major policy goal of low-income countries is to promote the creation of competitive economic capacities in order to achieve sustained growth and raise the material well being of the population. Economic growth is, however, associated with increasing environmental pressures, and the question is...

Central to the goals of competitiveness and sustainable development is the issue of energy. Is there enough? Where will it come from? What will it costs? Is its production and use environmentally sustainable? Many of these questions are now discussed under the general topic commonly referred to...

This paper addresses a set of conflicting national objectives, that between economic competitiveness and environmental quality. In lower-income economies, the perceived benefits of improved environmental quality may be valued less than in richer economies while the perceived opportunity costs of...

This paper examines the link between the issue of competitiveness and innovation and their role in fostering higher living standards. The analysis is carried out at the level of both the firm and the country and then outlines some important policy implications. It appears that the innovative...

This paper examines the two-way interaction between transport systems and several mega-trends that have been and are likely to continue to characterize the world. These trends include globalization, technological change, increased intergovernmental cooperation, the changing role of the public...

The issue as to what degree there is a trade-off between economic growth and environmental quality was one of the topics discussed at the recent “Environment for Europe” Ministerial Conference held in Belgrade in mid-October 2007. This paper provides an overall assessment of that conference...