Economic globalisation, especially the rapid growth of cross-border investment. during the past decade, is altering the context of environmental problems at the local, national, regional, and global levels. The development and implementation of adequate environmental responses to these flows has therefore become a key issue for OECD governments and OECD-based industry.

The OECD has examined the linkages between environment and investment from various angles.  This work typically involves collaboration between the Environment Policy Committee (EPOC) and the Investment Committee.  Projects include conferences and technical reports on various aspects of the investment-environment interface. 

Recent reports have dealt with, for example, the synergies between development, investment and environment   ; linkages between multilateral environmental agreements  and private investment, and the environmental components of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises .

In the framework of its co-operation with non-member countries in the former Soviet Union, the OECD has also looked more specifically at the potential role of foreign investment in the water supply and sanitation sector. Work has focused on the role of public-private-partnerships in providing and operating such essential environmental infrastructure, and on how to ensure that such partnerships are successful.