Economic Assessment of the Environment and Natural Resources in Burkina Faso
Context
The Burkina Faso has significant natural resources, tremendously varied and rare fauna and flora as well diverse ecosystems. Despite the current increase of environmental awareness raising at the national level, the poverty and socio-economic stakes put a lower priority on the environment issues. This is an alarming situation as the economic growth of Burkina Faso relies predominantly on its natural resources. Indeed, the primary sector (agriculture, breeding and forestry) represents 70% of the total country exports (in value) and employs 80% of the labour force.
In this context, sustainable management and use of natural resources is a necessary condition for the economic growth on the long term and the improvement of living conditions among the poorest populations.
Project framework and objectives
With the aim of strengthening the national capacities to analyse the links between poverty and environment, the Ministry of the Environment of Burkina Faso, with the support of the UNDP-UNEP, launched a joint programme: « Poverty and Environment Initiative - Burkina Faso ". To achieve this target, the on-going programme requires an economic analysis to demonstrate the importance of sustainable use and management of the environment, natural resources and eco-systemic services to achieve higher (or stable) economic growth and reduce poverty.
The current assessment targets the following objectives:
- To collect economic data about the current and potential contribution of the environment to national economy and relevant industry sectors
- To review the national and sectoral policies related to environment and the natural resources conservation
- To strengthen the instruments of the national institution when dealing with sustainability goals and arbitration panel between poverty and environment
Project Approach
Phase I
The environmental economic assessment of the national level (phase I) will provide an overview of the environment costs and benefits in the Burkina Faso and will identify the key productive sectors for a relevant and detailed analysis. This phase will be based on:
- Analysis of state of environment and natural resources
- Analysis of environmental policies and natural resources and related conservation efforts
Phase II
The Phase II of the study aims at refining the analysis undertaken at the national level (Phase I) by including entry points at meso-economic level: in the regions, sectors or sub-sectors with significant link to poverty-environment-development. This phase includes:
- Analysis of the mining sector
- Analysis of the cotton sector
- Providing recommendations and suggestions for decision-makers at political level
Beneficiaries
The first beneficiaries of the project are institutions, organisations and decision-makers dealing with and regulating the national resources.
Indirectly, the project will benefit to the Burkina Faso population by supporting in the medium term a better and more systematic integration of environmental issues into the political and economic decision-making process.
Photos: ©Intérêt-Général.info
Diploma of advanced studies en stratégie environnementale et enjeux économiques
