telephony, which does away with the need for a fixed network. But developing countries can also profit from technological advances in agriculture through which increased productivity is accompanied by a lower impact on environment and biodiversity. Countries can also be seen leapfrogging towards a sustainable future in industry, mining and energy supply. A tool such as environmental assessment that is required to always highlight the most ecologically far-reaching alternative is unbelievably important for channelling developments in the right direction.” At some point in time will these countries be able to do this themselves? “That is ultimately the intention – after all, capacity development is one of our aims – but I think that our independent advice in particular, will still be sought for a while. Demand for an impartial assessment of the environmental and social impacts of large, complex and politically sensitive projects remains great for the time being, particularly in Africa, but also in South-East Asia. Think of the transboundary projects, for example. The NCEA has built up so much prestige in the last 25 years that for the foreseeable future governments of developing countries will be happy to continue to call on us.” 9
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