This paper presents the range of opportunities that exist for middle- and low-income countries to mitigate negative impacts of CSR but also to harness its potential positive benefits for public policy. Government involvement is illustrated through examples of policy instruments and programmes promoting CSR in developing countries.

This Brief is based on a background paper prepared by Halina Ward, Emma Wilson, and Lyuba Zarsky, from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), and Tom Fox (UNDP).

CSR and Developing Countries: What scope for government action? is the first issue of DESA's Innovation Brief Series, which provides insights into the most recent policy-relevant research on emerging challenges to sustainable development, with particular attention to their relevance to developing countries. The purpose of this series is to inform policy makers of the latest trends and advances on topics in the field of sustainable development, with the objective of broadening the knowledge base of policy decision-makers in responding to those challenges.

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