This text provides a critical overview of the application of economic valuation techniques to environmental problems in less developed countries. The authors argue that economic valuation has just as important a role to play in the developing as in the developed world in valuing environmental resources and change. Additionally, the information such techniques provide is invaluable when helping to devise sound environmental policies. It demonstrates that economic valuation is of extreme importance in raising the profile of the enivronmental aspects of development initiatives and policies, and that the application of economic valuation is both widespread and successful in developing countries.