ABSTRACT
Poverty eradication was one of three overarching objectives of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Poverty is not simply an issue of income: when asked, the poor highlight a range of other important issues, including health, safety, education, food and basic services. People's experience of poverty can vary widely, but they all speak about their vulnerability and exclusion by the state and society (DFID, 2002). The inter-linkages between poverty and the environment remain an issue of discussion and contention. The livelihoods and well-being of poorer people often depend upon sound environmental management. The poor also suffer disproportionately from the ill effects of environmental decline and poorly planned human activities. Better environmental management is essential to lasting poverty reduction (UNDP, 2002), along with measures promoting social and environmental justice.
