Environmental justice cannot be achieved without the protection and fulfilment of human rights and gender justice. Addressing gender inequality is necessary as it impedes the central tenants of environmental justice, including fair allocation of environmental benefits and burdens, equal access to and influence in environmental governance; and transparent, informed, and inclusive environmental decision-making processes.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Kosovo*, environmental justice and the connections it has with gender equality and women’s empowerment are emerging issues of interest among decisionmakers, advocacy groups, and residents.

This study represents a first step in the critical examination of gender inclusive environmental justice by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offices in BiH and Kosovo. UNDP BiH and UNDP Kosovo facilitated the development of this joint study to identify opportunities and challenges for gender inclusive environmental justice as a pathway to peace, building the knowledge base on these emerging topics and 
raising awareness of these critical issues.
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*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)