Title: Environmental sustainability and microfinancial system: What is the link?

Authors: Edgardo Sica, Giuseppina Testa

Addresses: Department SEMS – University of Foggia, Largo Papa Giovanni Paolo II, 1, 71100 Foggia, Italy. ' Department SEMS – University of Foggia, Largo Papa Giovanni Paolo II, 1, 71100 Foggia, Italy

Abstract: In recent years, millions of poor people worldwide have benefited from microfinance activities, such as microcredit, microsaving and microinsurance, making this range of financial services a key-tool for economic growth of many developing countries. At the same time, the concept of Sustainable Development (SD) has taken on an increasing importance in the debate on economic growth and the environment. After exploring the relationship between microfinance and SD in developing areas, this study supports the view that microfinance institutions should implement policies that aim both at making compatible the loans they provide with the environment and at encouraging the diffusion of environmental awareness across borrowers.

Keywords: microfinance; microcredit; sustainable development; environmental sustainability; developing countries; microsaving; microinsurance; environmental awareness; economic growth.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2009.026802

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2009 Vol.5 No.3, pp.244 - 255

Published online: 26 Jun 2009 *

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