This innovative book investigates the practical applications of sustainable development in the spirit of the Brundtland Report, paying special attention to water-stressed developing countries. Satoshi Kojima argues that the main objective of sustainable development is poverty alleviation within the present generation without destroying those ecosystems underpinning life support systems. The policy implications of such sustainable development policies are investigated with an original quantitative policy analysis framework.

The book develops an innovative dynamic optimisation CGE model based on the Ramsey growth model but employs an imperfect foresight assumption and a decentralised setting in which the private agent and the government optimise their objective functions separately. The model also addresses trade-offs between rain-fed and irrigated agriculture, urban unemployment due to rural-urban migration and welfare costs of lack of safe water access. The model is calibrated and dynamically validated against Moroccan time-series data.

Researchers in environmental, ecological and development economics will find this book of great interest. It will also appeal to researchers and scholars interested in water management and related issues.

About the Author
Satoshi Kojima, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan

Reviews
'Kojima skillfully argues for and demonstrates the use of quantitative modeling techniques as part of sustainable development research. An important first step in a nascent thread of research promising more theoretically sound and policy-relevant operational definitions of sustainable development.' -- Doug Kenney, University of Colorado, US



Book Information
ISBN 9781847200624
Author Satoshi Kojima
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Publisher Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd