Poverty-Environment Nexus in Sustainable Development
Summary
The poverty–environment nexus embodies the reciprocal relationship whereby deprivation fuels environmental degradation and declining ecosystems exacerbate human vulnerability. Poverty often compels overexploitation of natural resources—such as deforestation for fuel or expansion of marginal agricultural land—leading to soil erosion, biodiversity loss and deteriorating water quality. Conversely, environmental shocks and resource scarcity deepen income insecurity, undermine health and constrain livelihood opportunities, thereby trapping communities in cycles of deprivation. Sustainable development demands integrated approaches recognising these interdependencies. Policies that simultaneously address income generation, social protection and ecosystem restoration have demonstrated potential to break this vicious circle. Examples include community‐driven reforestation programmes that create employment while stabilising watersheds, and inclusive renewable energy projects that reduce household energy poverty and limit carbon emissions. At the global level, progress towards Sustainable Development Goals hinges on bridging social, economic and environmental objectives through holistic governance, equitable finance mechanisms and participatory decision‐making. Understanding the complexity of non-linear feedbacks and spatial spillovers is essential for designing interventions that deliver win–win outcomes for people and planet.
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Technical terms
Non-linear relationship: A connection between two variables where changes in one do not produce proportional changes in the other, often indicating threshold effects.
Coupling coordination degree: A quantitative indicator that assesses the harmony and interactive development between environmental and socio-economic systems.
Financial inclusion: The process of granting all individuals access to affordable, timely and adequate financial services, including credit, savings and insurance.
References
- An empirical investigation of the effects of poverty and urbanization on environmental degradation: the case of sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2023).
- Carbon Emissions and National Sustainable Development Goals Coupling Coordination Degree Study from a Global Perspective: Characteristics, Heterogeneity, and Spatial Effects. Sustainability (2023).
- Nexus between Environmental Degradation, Clean Energy, Financial Inclusion, and Poverty: Evidence with DSUR, CUP-FM, and CUP-BC Estimation. Sustainability (2023).
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