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This issues paper reviews the context and challenges to environmental mainstreaming (EM), discusses what it takes to achieve effective EM, and provides a roadmap for selecting operational EM methods and tools. Each chapter is introduced by a box summarising its scope. Supporting materials and profiles of key tools are available at www.environmental-mainstreaming.org. Chapter 1 explains why EM is needed, and considers what it means, and who should be concerned. The economy and society are intimately dependent upon the health of the environment. Environmental assets (e.g. fertile soils, clean water, biomass and biodiversity) yield income, offer safety nets for the poor, maintain public health, and drive economic growth. But conversely, environmental hazards (e.g. pollution, environmental damage, and climate change) all threaten livelihoods and development. Poor people are especially dependent on environmental assets and are vulnerable to hazards. But environmental and developmental institutions and decisions tend to be separate, which results in environment being viewed as a set of problems rather than potentials