For several decades, economic growth in Burundi has been slowed by a continuous impoverishment and increased degradation of its natural capital. A corollary of rapid population growth has been the clearing of forests for subsistence agriculture. In addition, the unsustainable practices used have affected soil fertility and integrity; water resources have been polluted, impacting several sectors including the health of populations already suffering from severe air pollution due to the combustion of biofuels; and finally, climate change has amplified these effects as well as the incidence and frequency of natural disaster risks. Without appropriate institutional arrangements in place, the environment could not be protected against an accelerated rate of degradation. This has been compounded by the conflicts that have ravaged Burundi in recent decades and have reinforced the lack of natural resource management policies. This Country Environmental Analysis (CEA) is a first step in the World Bank's support for Burundi's transition to inclusive and sustainable development.