Economic Analysis of the Environmental Aspects of Investment Projects

This working paper develops upon the idea that economic analysis has a definite role to play in informing decision makers about the desirability of going ahead with an investment project designed to improve environmental quality and also that the role of precision in this matter is not trivial. The authors focus mainly on the costs and benefits of projects directly aimed at natural resource or environmental quality improvement, and the costs implied by the mandatory environmental assessment of investment projects whose primary purpose is not environmental. Also included is a review of IDB environmental procedures and the IDB's experience with mitigating measures and costs.