Introduction

Provision of basic services and reconstruction of infrastructure are crucial to post-conflict recovery, but it is also necessary to ensure that the environment is not unduly affected by these activities and that specific natural resources are used sustainably and are distributed in a fair and equitable manner. Decisions on natural resource consumption, access, and distribution can easily become locked in, leading to degradation of resources, inequity in access, and potentially new sources of conflict. Part 4 begins with a focus on the use of environmental impact assessments, strategic environmental assessments, and other tools to identify and mitigate potential social and environmental effects from infrastructure and reconstruction projects in post-conflict settings. It then moves into lessons about how countries with a history of violence can use a regional plan for reconstruction and a cooperative approach to natural resource management as a means for building better and more integrated post-conflict futures, and ultimately a more durable peace. This part ends with a focus on the challenges of monitoring and evaluating projects that affect or use natural resources in post-conflict countries.