Transboundary Environmental Governance: Principles and Practice in Mainland Southeast Asia

Abstract

"Transboundary Environmental Governance outlines some of the threats and opportunities to the natural environment of increased economic and political cooperation in the region. Integration risks creating more winners and losers among local people who depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. Integration also has the potential to promote greater environmental security and social equity when these concerns are incorporated in regional planning. The report assesses the effectiveness of existing regional institutions-the Mekong River Commission, Association of Southeast Asian nations and Asian Development Bank-in addressing transboundary environmental challenges and their social impacts. The report looks at how the institutions' structures, including their mandate, capacity, and membership, affect their ability to manage transboundary issues. The report argues that in addition to righting their structural shortcomings, the agencies must improve their governance practices. The three regional bodies must reach out and involve the public in a broader range of development planning, implementation and monitoring processes, and must strengthen their accountability to direct stakeholders, if they are to achieve sustainable development goals."