The overall objective of the Sudan First State of the Environment and Outlook 2020 Report (SoE) is to document and to assess the current status of the environment in Sudan and to propose scenarios and policy options. The implication of having such a document is that Sudan now has– for the first time – a baseline of environmental knowledge and an outlook for sustainable development, like many of its neighbours. The report not only establishes the causes and effects of environmental trends, but also addresses the country’s policy and institutional response mechanisms. This SoE report will constitute a solid platform and provide leverage to Sudan to form a clear environmental vision, to build new policies and to establish stronger and more efficient environmental institutions. The SoE report is motivated by and strives to answer the following questions: 1. What is happening in the Sudanese environment and why? 2. What are the consequences to the environment and humans? 3. What is being done and how effective is it? 4. Where is the country’s environmental status heading? 5. What actions could be taken for a more sustainable future? 6. How will Sudan meet its national and international commitments in the realm of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change and other commitments.