The World Bank Group on Tuesday released its Environment Strategy for 2012-2022, aimed at supporting countries to pursue sustainable development pathways that are green, inclusive, efficient and affordable.

The new strategy responds to calls from governments and the private sector for new approaches to development in light of unprecedented environmental challenges and lays out a vision for a "green, clean and resilient" world for all, the Washington-based agency said in a statement.

"Countries and communities and the ecosystems they depend on need to build resilience while moving to more efficient growth paths. This Strategy lays out the areas where we will put emphasis as we work to respond to countries' needs," said Rachel Kyte, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development.

The strategy includes action plans for the specific environmental challenges in each developing region of the world.

In Africa, work will focus on strengthening governance for natural resource management given growing pressure on the region's agriculture, mining, forests, and water basins. In partnership with other agencies, the private sector, and civil society, the World Bank Group is seeking to expand access to clean energy across the region.

In East Asia and the Pacific region, the World Bank Group is supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable urban development and transport, as well as prioritizing the phase-out of numerous industrial pollutants.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet