This work has engaged in refining current understandings of the possibilities for attaining environmental conservation objectives amidst the incessant struggle for economic advancement in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It has examined the inability of the region to properly assimilate sustainable developmental tenets as reflected in the weaknesses of the several legislations that exist. The analysis was done through the concept of the respect for the Rule of Law and considered all relevant factors in terms of structural and administrative changes as well as reflected needs of the region, using Cameroon as a case study. Through the doctrinal research approach, it demonstrated in theory, the correlation between environmental protection and economic development. Looking at the legal, policy and institutional frameworks for environmental protection within SSA and Cameroon, it has examined the effect of the several legislations on business and trade, and therefore the overall upshot on economic development. The work has consequently scrutinized the possibility of reconciling environment and economic needs through green growth and a green economy. Amidst these difficulties associated with the concept of sustainable development, the question was therefore contemplated whether the pressing international calls for the restriction of the use of Africa’s resources could be tantamount to a disguised neo-colonialist move by former imperialist nations to retard the region’s advancement. The findings of the work therefore revealed outweighing difficulties associated with presently attaining green growth within the region and how its efforts continually stifle economic growth and development. The weaknesses inherently associated with the concept of sustainable development, which are strongly reflected in the prevailing African situation established some misgivings about the good-faith propagated by the ‘rich North’ towards the ‘poor South’. The work therefore suggested that the region should properly weigh its needs and goals in the light of the environment and the economy, and not rush into commitments it cannot live up to. To achieve this, it would have to integrate the opinions of all stakeholders into the decision-making process, from public to private and to individual levels.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.0. Introduction
1.1. Background
1.2. Statement of the Problem
1.3. Research Questions
1.4. Objectives
1.4.0. General Objective
1.4.1. The Specific Objectives are:
1.5. Research Methodology
1.6. Literature Review
1.7. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
1.8. Significance of Study
1.9. Justification
1.10. Scope of Study
1.11. Definition of Terms
1.12. Synopsis
CHAPTER TWO
THE CONCEPTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
2.0. The Concept of Development
2.1. The Concept of Economic Development
2.1.0. Meaning
2.1.1. Economic development differentiated from economic growth
2.1.2. Measuring Development
2.2. The Concept of Environmental Protection
2.2.0. Meaning
2.4. The Nature of Sustainable Development in International Law
2.5. The Debate
CHAPTER THREE
THE LEGAL, POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND CAMEROON
3.0. Legal, Policy and Institutional Framework for Environmental Protection in Sub-
Saharan Africa
3.0.0. History and Framework of Environmental Protection under the African Union
3.0.1. Structure and Functioning
3.0.2. Environmental Issues Specific to the AU’s Legal Framework
3.0.3. Institutions and Movements under the AU, specifically relevant to
Environmental Protection
3.0.4. Judicial Framework
3.1. Legal, Policy and Institutional Framework of Environmental Protection in
Cameroon
3.1.0. The Legal Framework
3.1.0.0. International Level
3.1.0.1. National Level:
3.1.1. Institutional Framework
3.1.1.0. Public
3.1.1.1. Other Sectors
3.1.1.2. Judicial
3.1.2. Progress So far
CHAPTER FOUR
EXAMINING THE PROSPECTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CAMEROON
4.0. The Role of the Rule of Law in Environmental Protection and Economic
Development
4.1.0. Agriculture and Forestry
4.1.1. Energy and Waste Management
4.2. The Role of Civil Society in the Protection of the Environment
4.2.0. The Media
4.3. The Role of the Judiciary
4.4. Possibility through a Green Economy and the Impact on Business and Trade
CHAPTER FIVE
THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICA AND CAMEROON
5.0. The Environmental Protection regime as a Possible Neo-Colonial tool
5.0.0. Arguments against Sustainable Development
5.0.1. Arguments for Sustainable Development
5.1. Discussion
5.2. Conclusion
5.3. Recommendations
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis examines the complex relationship between environmental protection and economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa, using Cameroon as a case study. It explores whether the existing legal and institutional frameworks effectively balance these two objectives, while questioning if strict environmental mandates act as a form of neo-colonialism that hinders regional economic advancement.
- The impact of international environmental laws on domestic economic and business policies in Cameroon.
- The efficacy of the Rule of Law in balancing ecological preservation and sustainable economic growth.
- Analysis of whether the green economy agenda serves as a realistic development path or an impediment to industrial progress.
- The role of institutional frameworks, civil society, and the judiciary in environmental governance within the region.
- Critical perspectives on sustainable development as a potential neo-colonial tool for maintaining global resource control.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1. Background
The duty and desire to improve the economic and social well-being of a people existed even before the reality of a properly constituted structure like a State. This has been possible through the use of nature’s resources available for man’s subsistence and survival. For one thing, concern for the environment has remained the interest of man from time immemorial and has over centuries emerged to gain international attention through the growth of international environmental Law. The persistent consumption of the earth’s resources by the late 1960’s began to see serious concerns being expressed about growing evidence of environmental degradation and it was realized that this degradation was closely linked to unsustainable levels of economic development and population growth.
In 1972, the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm came up with a pivotal document; The Stockholm Declaration which set out a number of Principles and an Action Plan on how to go about addressing environmental issues. This was followed by several other bilateral and multilateral international environmental law treaties and by 1987 the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) put forward a strategic paper titled “Our Common Future”. Also called the Brundtland Report, it brought environmental concerns to the formal political development sphere. Placing it on the political agenda, it aimed to discuss the environment and development as one single issue. The report considered the deplorable state of the world which highly contributes to environmental degradation and this environmental degradation in turn amplifies the devastated nature of prevailing global conditions. This was typical of the increasing poverty in the developed world. It therefore suggested a proposal for change in strategies for economic advancement.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the research context, defining the region of Sub-Saharan Africa, the role of Cameroon, and the central research problem regarding the balance between economic development and environmental protection.
CHAPTER TWO: THE CONCEPTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: This chapter analyzes the definitions and interconnections between economic development, environmental protection, and the overarching concept of sustainable development.
CHAPTER THREE: THE LEGAL, POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND CAMEROON: This chapter reviews the legislative, institutional, and judicial mechanisms currently governing environmental protection within the African Union and the specific national context of Cameroon.
CHAPTER FOUR: EXAMINING THE PROSPECTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CAMEROON: This chapter performs a critical assessment of the practical prospects for combining environmental goals with economic growth in major sectors like agriculture, forestry, energy, and infrastructure.
CHAPTER FIVE: THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND CAMEROON: This chapter concludes the work by examining critical arguments for and against sustainable development and questioning whether international environmental mandates serve as neo-colonial tools.
Keywords
Sustainable development, Environmental protection, Economic growth, Sub-Saharan Africa, Cameroon, Rule of Law, Neo-colonialism, Natural resources, Green economy, Environmental law, Biodiversity, Human rights, Sustainable development goals, Environmental governance, Poverty alleviation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research explores the challenges of reconciling environmental protection with economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically investigating how these objectives can be met without stifling the region’s growth potential.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The main themes include legal and institutional frameworks for the environment, the role of the Rule of Law in development, the impact of international environmental conventions, and critical theories regarding sustainable development.
What is the central research question?
The study aims to determine how Sub-Saharan nations, particularly Cameroon, can effectively build a viable economy while simultaneously guarding against resource depletion and environmental unsustainability.
Which methodology does the author use?
The work employs a qualitative, doctrinal research method, involving in-depth content analysis of primary and secondary legal data, statutes, and judicial documents.
What does the main body of the work address?
It provides a structural overview of environmental legislation, critiques the effectiveness of these laws in practice, and evaluates how specific industries—such as agriculture and energy—are impacted by environmental policies.
Which key concepts characterize the work?
Key concepts include sustainable development, green economy, Rule of Law, neo-colonialism, and human rights-based approaches to environmental governance.
How does the author define the relationship between poverty and the environment?
The author argues that poverty and environmental degradation are inextricably intertwined in a vicious cycle where poverty causes environmental misuse, which in turn leads to further impoverishment.
What is the significance of the "Case of Cameroon" in this study?
Cameroon is used as a case study because it represents the broader struggle of Sub-Saharan Africa, serving as "Africa in miniature" due to its rich resource endowment and typical challenges in aligning growth with international environmental standards.
Does the author consider sustainable development to be a neo-colonial tool?
The author explores this possibility, questioning whether stringent international environmental mandates imposed on developing nations might serve to preserve resources in a way that disproportionately benefits the developed world at the expense of African economic advancement.
- Citar trabajo
- Ruddy Fualefeh Morfaw Azanu (Autor), 2018, Reconciling Environmental Protection and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Case of Cameroon, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/457524
