Environmental challenges for development

Mainstreaming of environmental challenges into considerations about development at the local and regional levelhas never been more urgent than today. The natural environment is the foundation on whose quality depend not only the dynamics of regional development, but also safety and human existence.



It is well known that the recent, current and expected global threats such as rising prices and possible future food shortages, rising prices and lack of fuel (especially in connection with Peak Oil), the financial crisis, climate change and its impacts are linked to the way of protection, management and the role of the state of the environment. Therefore, the Carpathian Development Institute considers it a priority and imperative to create a better legislative and strategic framework and use the tools and powers of public authorities, with an emphasis on local and regional self-government, in connection with development that respects environmental sustainability and the limits of the territory.

At present, we believe that it is necessary to vigorously seek ways to respond to climate change, and its impact at the local level by mitigating the impacts of human activities on the deterioration of the climate, but mainly in the form of adaptation to its impacts. The aim of the CDI activities in this area are the motivation and building of the capacities of local and regional public authorities and the public for the inclusion of the expected impacts into the decision-making process.
In this respect, we are implementing pilot activities in Slovakia and we plan to expand in the near future to Ukraine, Hungary and Serbia.