Publication:
Nigeria Poverty : Environmental Linkages in the Natural Resource Sector - Empirical Evidence from Nigerian Case Studies with Policy Implications and Recommendations

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files in English
English PDF (6.07 MB)
630 downloads
English Text (256.09 KB)
139 downloads
Published
2003-06-30
ISSN
Date
2013-07-25
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Abstract
This study explores the international development community's understanding of poverty and illustrates how it is related to environmental degradation. the study relies on three sources: a comprehensive general literature review, a review of past donor interventions in Nigeria, and original empirical evidence. The linkages found between poverty and environmental degradation are based on 240 household surveys analyzed by income quintiles investigated at two sites in Nigeria: the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands in the North and the Niger Delta in the South. Lessons relating "Causality and Linkages" (Chapter 2) explore various perceptions of how poverty "causes" environmental degradation, how environmental degradation "causes" poverty, or how other ofseting or reinforcing factors may influence the linkages between poverty and environmental quality. The empirical findings from the two study sites provide the primary basis for subsequent policy recommendations. Chapter 3 outlines the site selection process, summarizes the methods used, and provides detailed descriptive statistics for the two sites. the chapter concludes with an interpretation of key findings. Chapter 4 comences with a general discussion of available policies and strategies, including issues relating to self-sufficiency, precautionary principle, and adaptive co-management.Specific recommended strategies for Nigeria are based on the empirical findings from the case studies. An agenda for incorporating these strategies within ongoing Nigerian and donor initiatives concludes this chapter.
Link to Data Set
Citation
World Bank. 2003. Nigeria Poverty : Environmental Linkages in the Natural Resource Sector - Empirical Evidence from Nigerian Case Studies with Policy Implications and Recommendations. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/14612 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
Associated URLs
Associated content
Report Series
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Publication
    Poverty and Environment : Understanding Linkages at the Household Level
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2007) World Bank
    This report seeks to present micro evidence on how environmental changes affect poor households. It focuses primarily on environmental resources that are outside the private sphere, particularly commonly held and managed resources such as forests, fisheries, and wildlife. The objectives for this volume are three-fold. It is first interested in using an empirical data-driven approach to examine the dependence of the poor on natural resources. The second objective is to examine the role of the environment in determining health outcomes. A third area of interest concerns the role of policy instruments and reforms. This report uses general economics literature as well as data collected by the World Bank and its partners to analyze poverty-environment linkages at the household level. Poverty-environment linkages are inherently dynamic and involve behavioral responses that make the identification of cause and effect difficult. Thus, questions related to these linkages are ideally answered with the use of panel datasets or with data from randomized experiments.
  • Publication
    Drivers of Sustainable Rural Growth and Poverty Reduction in Central America : Honduras Case Study, Volume 1. Executive Summary and Main Text
    (Washington, DC, 2004-12-31) World Bank
    This regional study encompasses three Central American countries: Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras. The focus of this report is Honduras. The objective of the study is to understand how broad-based economic growth can be stimulated and sustained in rural Central America. The study identifies "drivers" of sustainable rural growth and poverty reduction. Drivers are defined as the assets and combinations of assets needed by different types of households in different geographical areas, to take advantage of economic opportunities, and improve their well-being over time. The study examines the relative contributions of these assets, and seeks to identify the combinations of productive, social, and location-specific assets that matter most to raise incomes, and take advantage of prospects for poverty-reducing growth. It adopts an asset-based conceptual approach, where assets are defined to include natural, physical, financial, human, social, political, institutional, and location-specific assets, and, focuses on how households deploy their assets within the context of policies, institutions, and risks to generate a set of opportunities. The report further analyzes the quantity, quality, and productivity of assets needed by households in different geographical areas, to exercise their potential for generating long-term growth and improving well-being. Findings indicate that while there are well-defined areas of higher economic opportunity, given their underlying agricultural potential, relatively good access to infrastructure, and high population densities, poverty is widespread, and deep in rural Honduras, particularly in hillside areas. And, although agriculture should form an integral part of the rural growth strategy in hillside areas, despite its limited potential, agriculture alone cannot solve the rural poverty problem, yet, those remaining in the sector need to be more efficient, productive and competitive. It is recommended to move from geographically untargeted investments in single assets, to a more integrated and geographically based approach of asset enhancement with proper complementarities, such as land access and security, technical assistance provision, health and education services, and strong local level institutions,
  • Publication
    Drivers of Sustainable Rural Growth and Poverty Reduction in Central America : Guatemala Case Study, Volume 1. Executive Summary and Main Text
    (Washington, DC, 2004-12-31) World Bank
    This regional study encompasses three Central American countries: Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras. The focus of this report is Guatemala. The study is motivated by several factors: First is the recognition that sub-national regions are becoming increasingly heterogeneous, and economically differentiated as part of ongoing processes of development and diversification, with some areas advancing, and others being left behind. Second is the acceptance that one rural strategy does not fit all; design of an appropriately tailored rural strategy requires understanding the assets, markets, and institutions that frame household opportunities and livelihood strategies. Third, rural heterogeneity requires identification of sufficiently homogeneous areas and household types to facilitate policy formulation, investment strategies, and project design. Fourth, there is a need to bridge the gap between conceptual strategies, and their timely implementation in order to obtain tangible and sustainable results. To this end, it is necessary to identify the appropriate sequencing, and complementary of investments in assets needed to drive growth and reduce poverty. The study's focus on assets is appropriate given historically stark inequalities in the distribution of productive assets among households in the region. Such inequalities are likely to constrain how the poor share in the benefits of growth, even under appropriate policy regimes. Rural poverty in Guatemala is characterized by three important features. First, geographic isolation, caused by varied topography, and inadequate transport networks, is an important correlate of poverty. The second dominant feature of rural poverty is ethnic exclusion. Poverty rates are far higher among indigenous groups and groups whose primary language is not Spanish. Third, rural poverty is concentrated in particular areas: that is, it has a particularly strong spatial dimension in Guatemala. Findings indicate that the high degree of overlap between high poverty rates, and high poverty densities in areas such as the Western Altiplano, means that investments there should reach significant proportions of the country's rural poor. Thus, to generate substantial gains in poverty reduction and broad-based growth, complementarities between productive, social, and location-specific assets must be addressed. Specifically, the report focuses on access to land, and strong local level institutions, and social capital, to compensate for lack of physical assets. This also requires a move from geographically untargeted investments in single assets, to a more integrated and geographically based approach of asset enhancement, with proper complementarities.
  • Publication
    Poverty Environment Nexus : Sustainable Approaches to Poverty Reduction in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam
    (Washington, DC, 2006-06) World Bank
    This is a draft edition of the Poverty Environment Nexus (PEN) report for Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. The purpose of this conference edition is to present the findings from the studies that have been undertaken in each country over the last three years as well as to obtain relevant comments and feedback from the conference participants that could be included in the final edition of the report. The material presented in this report is based upon comprehensive case studies as well as national analytical work performed in each country. This second phase of the PEN study is designed to address several of the unsolved issues faced by the first phase and within the existing PEN literature on Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. Since the earlier study found that the nexus may often be identified at disaggregated, or local, levels, the analysis in the second phase of the study was conducted both at the regional, provincial and district levels for the national studies (macro-levels) and on the district, village, commune, and household levels in the (case) studies (micro-level). This combination of macro and micro approaches results in more substantive findings, which are elaborated in detail in these elaborations, may then lead to a better scope for defining policy interventions.
  • Publication
    The Poverty/Environment Nexus in Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2003-01) Dasgupta, Susmita; Deichmann, Uwe; Meisner, Craig; Wheeler, David
    Environmental degradation can inflict serious damage on poor people because their livelihoods often depend on natural resource use and their living conditions may offer little protection from air, water, and soil pollution. At the same time, poverty-constrained options may induce the poor to deplete resources and degrade the environment at rates that are incompatible with long-term sustainability. In such cases, degraded resources may precipitate a downward spiral, by further reducing the income and livelihoods of the poor. This "poverty/environment nexus" has become a major issue in the recent literature on sustainable development. In regions where the nexus is significant, jointly addressing problems of poverty and environmental degradation may be more cost-effective than addressing them separately. Empirical evidence on the prevalence and importance of the poverty/environment nexus is sparse because the requisite data are often difficult to obtain in developing countries. The authors use newly available spatial and survey data to investigate the spatial dimension of the nexus in Cambodia, and Lao People's Democratic Republic. The data enable the authors to quantify several environmental problems at the district and provincial level. In a parallel exercise, they map the provincial distribution of poor households. Merging the geographic information on poverty and the environment, the authors search for the nexus using geo-referenced indicator maps and statistical analysis. The results suggest that the nexus is country-specific: geographical, historical, and institutional factors may all play important roles in determining the relative importance of poverty and environment links in different contexts. Joint implementation of poverty and environment strategies may be cost-effective for some environmental problems, but independent implementation may be preferable in many cases as well. Since the search has not revealed a common nexus, the authors conclude on a cautionary note. The evidence suggests that the nexus concept can provide a useful catalyst for country-specific work, but not a general formula for program design.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Publication
    Global Economic Prospects, June 2025
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-10) World Bank
    The global economy is facing another substantial headwind, emanating largely from an increase in trade tensions and heightened global policy uncertainty. For emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), the ability to boost job creation and reduce extreme poverty has declined. Key downside risks include a further escalation of trade barriers and continued policy uncertainty. These challenges are exacerbated by subdued foreign direct investment into EMDEs. Global cooperation is needed to restore a more stable international trade environment and scale up support for vulnerable countries grappling with conflict, debt burdens, and climate change. Domestic policy action is also critical to contain inflation risks and strengthen fiscal resilience. To accelerate job creation and long-term growth, structural reforms must focus on raising institutional quality, attracting private investment, and strengthening human capital and labor markets. Countries in fragile and conflict situations face daunting development challenges that will require tailored domestic policy reforms and well-coordinated multilateral support.
  • Publication
    Business Ready 2024
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-03) World Bank
    Business Ready (B-READY) is a new World Bank Group corporate flagship report that evaluates the business and investment climate worldwide. It replaces and improves upon the Doing Business project. B-READY provides a comprehensive data set and description of the factors that strengthen the private sector, not only by advancing the interests of individual firms but also by elevating the interests of workers, consumers, potential new enterprises, and the natural environment. This 2024 report introduces a new analytical framework that benchmarks economies based on three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency. The analysis centers on 10 topics essential for private sector development that correspond to various stages of the life cycle of a firm. The report also offers insights into three cross-cutting themes that are relevant for modern economies: digital adoption, environmental sustainability, and gender. B-READY draws on a robust data collection process that includes specially tailored expert questionnaires and firm-level surveys. The 2024 report, which covers 50 economies, serves as the first in a series that will expand in geographical coverage and refine its methodology over time, supporting reform advocacy, policy guidance, and further analysis and research.
  • Publication
    Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-03-05) World Bank
    Digitalization is the transformational opportunity of our time. The digital sector has become a powerhouse of innovation, economic growth, and job creation. Value added in the IT services sector grew at 8 percent annually during 2000–22, nearly twice as fast as the global economy. Employment growth in IT services reached 7 percent annually, six times higher than total employment growth. The diffusion and adoption of digital technologies are just as critical as their invention. Digital uptake has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1.5 billion new internet users added from 2018 to 2022. The share of firms investing in digital solutions around the world has more than doubled from 2020 to 2022. Low-income countries, vulnerable populations, and small firms, however, have been falling behind, while transformative digital innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) have been accelerating in higher-income countries. Although more than 90 percent of the population in high-income countries was online in 2022, only one in four people in low-income countries used the internet, and the speed of their connection was typically only a small fraction of that in wealthier countries. As businesses in technologically advanced countries integrate generative AI into their products and services, less than half of the businesses in many low- and middle-income countries have an internet connection. The growing digital divide is exacerbating the poverty and productivity gaps between richer and poorer economies. The Digital Progress and Trends Report series will track global digitalization progress and highlight policy trends, debates, and implications for low- and middle-income countries. The series adds to the global efforts to study the progress and trends of digitalization in two main ways: · By compiling, curating, and analyzing data from diverse sources to present a comprehensive picture of digitalization in low- and middle-income countries, including in-depth analyses on understudied topics. · By developing insights on policy opportunities, challenges, and debates and reflecting the perspectives of various stakeholders and the World Bank’s operational experiences. This report, the first in the series, aims to inform evidence-based policy making and motivate action among internal and external audiences and stakeholders. The report will bring global attention to high-performing countries that have valuable experience to share as well as to areas where efforts will need to be redoubled.
  • Publication
    The Container Port Performance Index 2023
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-18) World Bank
    The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) measures the time container ships spend in port, making it an important point of reference for stakeholders in the global economy. These stakeholders include port authorities and operators, national governments, supranational organizations, development agencies, and other public and private players in trade and logistics. The index highlights where vessel time in container ports could be improved. Streamlining these processes would benefit all parties involved, including shipping lines, national governments, and consumers. This fourth edition of the CPPI relies on data from 405 container ports with at least 24 container ship port calls in the calendar year 2023. As in earlier editions of the CPPI, the ranking employs two different methodological approaches: an administrative (technical) approach and a statistical approach (using matrix factorization). Combining these two approaches ensures that the overall ranking of container ports reflects actual port performance as closely as possible while also being statistically robust. The CPPI methodology assesses the sequential steps of a container ship port call. ‘Total port hours’ refers to the total time elapsed from the moment a ship arrives at the port until the vessel leaves the berth after completing its cargo operations. The CPPI uses time as an indicator because time is very important to shipping lines, ports, and the entire logistics chain. However, time, as captured by the CPPI, is not the only way to measure port efficiency, so it does not tell the entire story of a port’s performance. Factors that can influence the time vessels spend in ports can be location-specific and under the port’s control (endogenous) or external and beyond the control of the port (exogenous). The CPPI measures time spent in container ports, strictly based on quantitative data only, which do not reveal the underlying factors or root causes of extended port times. A detailed port-specific diagnostic would be required to assess the contribution of underlying factors to the time a vessel spends in port. A very low ranking or a significant change in ranking may warrant special attention, for which the World Bank generally recommends a detailed diagnostic.
  • Publication
    Global Economic Prospects, January 2025
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-01-16) World Bank
    Global growth is expected to hold steady at 2.7 percent in 2025-26. However, the global economy appears to be settling at a low growth rate that will be insufficient to foster sustained economic development—with the possibility of further headwinds from heightened policy uncertainty and adverse trade policy shifts, geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation, and climate-related natural disasters. Against this backdrop, emerging market and developing economies are set to enter the second quarter of the twenty-first century with per capita incomes on a trajectory that implies substantially slower catch-up toward advanced-economy living standards than they previously experienced. Without course corrections, most low-income countries are unlikely to graduate to middle-income status by the middle of the century. Policy action at both global and national levels is needed to foster a more favorable external environment, enhance macroeconomic stability, reduce structural constraints, address the effects of climate change, and thus accelerate long-term growth and development.