The book is based on the most comprehensive dataset of foreign aid ever assembled, i.e. 400,000 development projects, 50 donors, 170 recipients nations during the period 1970 tot 2001. This claim by the authors is well substantiated by the analyses and findings presented in the book. This reviewer is not aware of such a comprehensive dataset used in other publications.

Of course, the benefit of such a huge database brings with it its own challenges, like alignment between different definitions, objectives, purpose statements, project content, etc. In this reviewer’s opinion, the authors manage to use the diverse data in a structured but unforced way to present valid and worthwhile findings.

A book of this nature obviously contains a number of tables and graphs that are essential for readers and users who want quantification for specific reasons. However, such content is not overdone and for the reader with more general interest, the book remains a worthwhile read without the need to scrutinize each and every table or graph.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the history of environmental aid, with reference to international summits and describing some dimensions to establish a framework for the rest of the book. Although high-level and conceptual, it is a valuable introduction. In addition to the summits that happened, the authors describe the sentiment and deemed objectives of the donors. The distinction between multi- and bilateral donors is addressed as well as the complexities of the aid projects, especially in terms of the boundaries and objectives. The interaction between and roles of governments, institutions, agencies, NGOs and recipient countries are also touched on.

Chapter 2 moves closer to the data analysis. More definite descriptions and definitions are proposed, including those of Environmental aid, Neutral aid and Dirty aid. Again the complexities are evident in the researchers’ effort to allocate projects and aid into the defined categories. Environmental projects are further divided into two categories, namely Green (global and regional reach) and Brown (local focus). Later in the book the importance of such distinctions becomes more evident. Some high level trends and shifts in environmental aid, based on the database, are discussed.

Chapter 3 discusses patterns in allocation and also looks at five major participants. It is interesting to note that four major donor countries (USA, Canada, France and the UK) favoured ex ante performance-based allocations while smaller European donors were satisfied with equal opportunity to access funds. A comparison between recipient countries in the two decades 1980-1989 and 1990-1999, indicates the escalating importance of China and India. The five case study countries then start off with China and India and also include Brazil, Egypt and Kenya.

Following the case studies in chapter 3, the authors then reflect on needs, opportunities and strategic interest as viable reasons for environmental aid donations and receiving in chapter 4. The relationship between donor and recipient can be complex, leading to both successes as well as failures. In this chapter two important phases of providing aid are identified, namely whether a country will receive aid (‘gate-keeping’) and how much a country will receive. In a later chapter the importance of this distinction is once again revealed. The data analyses are discussed in more detail from this chapter onwards, with more extensive hypotheses defined, tested and quantified.

Chapter 5 looks more specifically at donors. Factors that drive decisions to offer aid are discussed as well as the environmental image of donor countries. Governments’ commitment to the issue is tested. Five specific countries are discussed: Denmark (the ‘tiny leader’), Germany’s political influences, the UK’s political changes, the USA and its USAID Agency and finally the big move from laggard to leader by Japan.

Chapter 6 continuous with the analysis of donors and considers environmental preferences, value systems, lobby groups and the decision-making structures when it comes to environmental aid. Again, specific hypotheses are presented related to the framework for analysing the donor countries. Interesting findings surfaced, not all as expected. One finding is that the models applied explain much more about “dirty” funding than it does about environmental projects.

Chapter 8 is about multilaterals and the delegation of environmental aid authority to such agencies. Findings indicate that multilateral agencies have adapted their profile over the review period. Dirty funding has dropped significantly, while the use of multilateral agencies overshadows bilateral aid. Multilateral aid is highly concentrated with 90% coming from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Union and the Global Environmental Facility. Significantly, the African Development Bank reduced its funding for environmental projects, while the continent is arguably the most in need thereof. Again the authors discuss their research hypotheses related to this dimension, in detail.

The book concludes with chapter 9, which is a forward looking view to environmental aid. The chapter contains a very good overview of the book’s content that sets a firm base for the discussions on limitations of the research, recommendations and policy implications. The authors base their future vision on the findings of the research and thus the recommendations and conclusions are sensible in that regard. The eight limitations listed have also to some extent been mentioned in the body of the book and are honest perspectives on possible shortcomings of the research, however, given the scope of the research and volume of data, it is impossible to cover all relevant areas and the book provides an excellent start for a series of research endeavours that could expand and enhance the findings of these initial conclusions.

The book is well structured and edited. The main content is not cluttered with statistical calculations and detailed references. Such information is however provided as Appendices, for readers who would be interested in those topics. It is thus a very accessible book and there is no need for readers to sift through loads of statistical jargon to find the key outcomes. The book contains a comprehensive reference section (35 pages) that provides much opportunity for further reading on topics of interest. A valuable and comprehensive index is also included, as are lists of figures, tables and acronyms.

This reviewer can recommend the book for students and subject matter experts who are interested in quantified results when reading about environmental aid. Usually an emotional subject, environmental aid can easily become a philosophical and subjective topic. Although there is certainly room for such qualitative discussion and debate, this book offers more objective research findings to add value to any related study and/or discussion.