Original article posted on www.unep.org/dpdl/poverty_environment/ (July 2006)
UNEP’s Poverty and Environment Project is founded upon the premise
that the sustainable use of ecosystems on which people rely will contribute
to poverty reduction. This is so because poor people rely
disproportionately on ecosystem services for their basic needs, such as
food, water, and shelter, because they lack the financial resources to
meet these needs through the market. Thus, by finding creative ways of
improving access to and management of natural resources, the capacity
of poor people to make decisions that will contribute to their well-being
will increase. Not only will poor people be more able to meet their daily
needs, but environmental sustainability will be promoted.
In recognition of this link, UNEP has developed a four-year project that aims to increase developing countries’ capacity to mainstream environment into poverty reduction policies and programmes. Such mainstreaming will ensure that efforts to reduce poverty are not undermined by the unsustainable use of resources. The project, currently in its pilot phase, is being implemented in seven African countries: Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
For more information on this project, please visit http://www.unep.org/dpdl/poverty_environment/Projects/index.asp
Comments