The book presents the notion of environmental integration to make sense of the

environmental challenge. Environmental integration involves the incorporation of

environmental considerations into all aspects of thinking (cognitive frameworks),
behaviour/action (policies), and rules and organisations (institutions) that
(potentially) impact significantly on the environment. Given the diversity of
(often conflicting) views on the environment, it is a collective challenge in which
governments (have to) play a central role. Since the early 1970s, governments have
adopted a wide range of means aimed at integrating environmental concerns into the
cognitive sphere, the policy sphere, and the institutional sphere, be it with
different levels of commitment. Based on these three spheres, and two dimensions
(internal and external), six areas are identified in which environmental
integration needs to take place. This classification is then used to identify and
discuss, in each category, a range of the most frequently used mechanisms (or
forms) used by governments to advance environmental integration. The discussion
highlights the main strengths and limitations of these forms, pointing out how
these are shaped by politics. The discussion covers Environmental Impact
Assessment, Risk Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Sustainability, Ecological
Modernisation, Environmental Space, Green Planning, Strategic Environmental Policy
Analysis, Economic Instruments, Environmental Rights, Sustainable Development
Councils, and the Greening of Government, among other. Governments differ in their
approaches to environmental integration, with some areas (and forms) receiving more
attention and emphasis than others. This may help explain the limited effectiveness
of the environmental integration efforts of governments (and countries) as, to be
effective and enduring, environmental integration needs to be pursued in all six
areas in mutually complementary and supportive ways. The book finishes by offering
some ideas about how environmental integration efforts can be improved.. Bührs,
Ton. (2009). Environmental Integration: Our Common Challenge.. The book presents
the notion of environmental integration to make sense of the environmental
challenge. Environmental integration involves the incorporation of environmental
considerations into all aspects of thinking (cognitive frameworks),
behaviour/action (policies), and rules and organisations (institutions) that
(potentially) impact significantly on the environment. Given the diversity of
(often conflicting) views on the environment, it is a collective challenge in which
governments (have to) play a central role. Since the early 1970s, governments have
adopted a wide range of means aimed at integrating environmental concerns into the
cognitive sphere, the policy sphere, and the institutional sphere, be it with
different levels of commitment. Based on these three spheres, and two dimensions
(internal and external), six areas are identified in which environmental
integration needs to take place. This classification is then used to identify and
discuss, in each category, a range of the most frequently used mechanisms (or
forms) used by governments to advance environmental integration. The discussion
highlights the main strengths and limitations of these forms, pointing out how
these are shaped by politics. The discussion covers Environmental Impact
Assessment, Risk Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Sustainability, Ecological
Modernisation, Environmental Space, Green Planning, Strategic Environmental Policy
Analysis, Economic Instruments, Environmental Rights, Sustainable Development
Councils, and the Greening of Government, among other. Governments differ in their
approaches to environmental integration, with some areas (and forms) receiving more
attention and emphasis than others. This may help explain the limited effectiveness
of the environmental integration efforts of governments (and countries) as, to be
effective and enduring, environmental integration needs to be pursued in all six
areas in mutually complementary and supportive ways. The book finishes by offering
some ideas about how environmental integration efforts can be improved.