Expert answer to the question "To what extent are environmental concerns effectively taken into account?''

The variable ranges from 1 to 10, where 1 is "Environmental concerns receive no consideration and are entirely subordinated to growth efforts. There is no environmental regulation", 4 is "Environmental concerns receive only sporadic consideration and are often subordinated to growth efforts. Environmental regulation is weak and hardly enforced", 7 is "Environmental concerns are taken into account but are occasionally subordinated to growth efforts. Environmental regulation and incentives are in place, but their enforcement at times is deficient", and 10 is "Environmental concerns are effectively taken into account and are carefully balanced with growth efforts. Environmental regulation and incentives are in place and enforced".