In a ceremony to inaugurate its seventh research office globally in Istanbul, TRENDS Research and Advisory released the Turkish language version of the eight study within its Economic Trends series under the title “Poverty and the Environment: The Role of Social Protection and Payment for Ecological Services”. The study reveals that poverty is often the driving factor behind environmental degradation. According to the study, which was authored by Dr. Anthea Dallimore, an economic development consultant, people in rural areas, who live on the verge of subsistence, deplete natural resources to earn their livelihood. The study warns that the burden of climate change falls most heavily on developing countries which will be most affected despite having the least resources to cope. In addition, even at normal times, natural disasters can drive people into poverty by destroying livelihood-dependent assets and the infrastructure necessary for economic activity. The study suggests developing social protection systems as an effective mechanism to reduce poverty and protect the most vulnerable. Such systems take various forms, including Payment for Environmental Services (PES), Public Employment Programs (PEPs), and Cash Transfers (CTs). The study presents four case studies from different countries that illustrate the close relationship between combating poverty and protecting the environment. It provides practical examples of how to achieve sustainable development through supporting the most vulnerable groups and preserving natural resources.