This is a historical problem. Although policy decentralisation may be preferable in theory because it should ensure greater coherence with local preferences for defined public good provision, at the end of the day, income and development – from social, economic and political perspectives – help financing and enforce stronger and better environmental management. This is a possible drawback to a heavily decentralised policy process in the absence of strong income convergence, and should provide food for thought in terms of future research and future policy.