<p>This article provides an overview of the transformation of the economic theories and the development to identify a point of contact between both concepts, and the environment. Through a documental review were identified four groups of approaches about growth and development in relation with the environment, which were analyzed and classified in classical theories and contemporary approaches. It starts with a theoretical analysis of theories of the growth and development from Adam Smith and David Ricardo and it discusses the economic function of nature as one more factor in production. A critical review of neoclassical economics from the approaches of environmental economics and ecological economics is subsequently made to demonstrate the theoretical and political difficulties of economic growth from a neoclassical perspective in relation to natural resources. In a second part, the theoretical and methodological aspects that explain the link between development and environment are described. It starts with an analysis about the principles of conservatism toward the link between economy, society and environment in the concept of sustainable development promoted by the Brundtland report, and describes their operational limitations and achievements in environmental management. In conclusion, both sets of theories explain the way in which environment is inserted into the existing development and growth theories and how this conception affects national and international management instruments that define the priorities of development for Nations.</p>