The report was prepared following a request from the Republic of Belarus for World Bank assistance in updating the Belarus Environment Strategy Study carried out jointly with the Bank in the early 1990s and published in 1993.

The report summarizes major macroeconomic trends and associated environmental linkages, environmental trends, and institutional issues facing Belarus in its management of the environment. An extensive analysis of environmental aspects of energy efficiency in Belarus and the state of the water supply and sanitation sector is undertaken. Special attention is given to exploring the environmental impact of the Chernobyl accident and to suggesting additional ways to mitigate lasting radioactive contamination. Natural resource management issues, particularly relating to agriculture, forestry and biodiversity, are also examined.