ABSTRACT
The economic component of the sustainable development agenda has seen much change recently. Regions, cities and localities – still always seeking to capitalise on their natural resources, human skills and businesses’ potential – are now increasingly favouring cleaner industries, renewable resources and lowimpact activities, the so-called ‘cleaner production’ investments. The parameters for the financing of such longer-term, ‘sustainable’ developments are not necessarily the same as those for conventional industries with their requirement for short-term profitability. Special investment mechanisms are in place for certain sustainability issues, to assist in the implementation of international environmental agreements and development of renewable energy sources.
