It is, however, crucial to long term sustainable development.
Environmental protection represents the very essence of resource allocation and management.
In Palestine, where natural resources are particularly scarce and fragile, environmental protection equates to maintaining the fundamental economic resource base. More importantly, with final status negotiations now underway between the Palestinians and the Government of Israel, control over natural resources is likely to be a decisive factor in determining the ultimate outcome of the peace process. Despite the fluctuations in academic schools of thought regarding the most effective policy means of protecting natural resources, a certain consensus has emerged amongst the international business community. Environmental protection legislation is increasingly a determinant of market forces and is therefore one that correlates with competitiveness. Achieving a certain environmentally acceptable standard at all levels of the production process is no longer a luxury option.