Problem
Debt induced environmental degradation
Nature:
The need to pay off international debts has driven many developing countries to sell off their natural resources, particularly timber and minerals, for whatever price they could obtain, often in environmentally-destructive ways. Export cash crops have been favoured over food production for local consumption. Environmental standards have been kept low or non-existent to help attract foreign investment. Structural adjustment programmes have required reductions in government expenditures, with the environment being one of the easiest areas to cut. The indebted countries have thus been pushed towards further environmental deterioration.
Broader Problems:
Defaults on international loans Related Problems:
Ecological debt Subject(s):
Commerce → CreditEnvironment → Environment
Societal Problems → Vulnerability
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST