The conceptual justification for the massive effort in environmental mainstreaming in Tanzania and other countries, with special concerns for poor countries and communities, is found in the environment-poverty nexus; however, this study makes reference to the relevant practical relationships, where such relationships can help to clarify the issues that facilitate or limit environmental mainstreaming process itself. The scope of the review will include progress regarding mainstreaming environment at three distinct levels - national, sector and local government, that is, how the specific commitments/targets contained in MKUKUTA1 were implemented at these levels.

Mainstreaming environment requires (i) integration of the sustainability principles into a development strategy within a country and where necessary, within an international agreement, (ii) building capacities at national and local levels for sharper understanding and identification of environmental concerns and opportunities (iii) planning and implementing appropriate interventions along with adequate performance and easy-to-monitor indicators. The interventions should be integrated actions into plans and budgets. All this should be based on creating public awareness that the environmental resources are a source of livelihoods and need to be protected for present and future generation. Environmental mainstreaming and protection further entails a need for legal provisions to enforce desirable actions. Though perhaps not comprehensive, this definition of environmental mainstreaming as a process and policy approach provides a checklist which guides this review.