•Environmental management has been evolving and spreading for over 30 years. It has still to be adequately adapted to developing country conditions.
•Environmental management supports a proactive approach to development and better co-ordination of stakeholders’ interests.
•Sustainable development is a key concept within environmental management.
•Science and social science are involved in environmental management and must work closely with development management.
•Without environmental management, development is unlikely to be sustainable and people will be vulnerable to disasters.