Public-private partnerships as facilitators of environmental improvement

Public-private partnerships in the environmental field have emerged as one option in the pursuit of sustainable development in different contexts. So-called ?Green Networks?, ?Cleaner Production Centres?, ?Waste Minimisation Clubs? are among others highlighted as alternatives to (governmental) regulation. While being promoted as an option for governments in the South to make up for lack of sufficient environmental legislation and enforcement, the majority of these examples (success stories), however, stem from countries in the North. Uncritical transfer of such concepts to contexts in the South along with substantial, external (donor) funding have in many cases led to disappointing outcome. The authors discuss key factors (context ? history, political, economic, legislative ? the existing role of networks and capabilities of government and industry) in clarifying the potential success of Green Networks in the South. With reference to ongoing initiatives in South Africa and Thailand, respectively, the authors suggest how these initiatives can be modelled in their own rights.