The late 1980s saw a phenomenal growth of international concern over the global environment. It has begun to influence politics both in industrially advanced countries and in the newly democratising countries of Eastern Europe. Recognising that the roots of this concern are not new, this Bulletin addresses its twin aspects in the context of developing countries and at different scale levels. On the one hand, environmental change poses significant challenges for development policy and practice. On the other, the development process itself presents challenges for sound environmental management.