Climate Environment Management of Natural Resources

Conserving natural resources is a basic requirement for sustainable development and improving the quality of human life. To reverse the trend towards resource degradation, we need to give greater priority to ecological principles.

Climate, environment, management of natural resources

Waste Management and Circular Economy, Resource Efficiency

Waste problems are a particular burden on cities and urban agglomerations worldwide. It is estimated that cities in Africa and Asia will double their waste generation in the next 15 to 20 years. However, many developing and emerging countries do not have the necessary structures to deal with the increasing and complex volumes of waste. 

Adapting to Climate Change

With the Paris Agreement of 2015, the international community has made a binding commitment for the first time to reduce global warming to well below two degrees or even to 1.5 degrees, if possible. However, climate change is already taking place, so people, ecosystems, infrastructure, investments, etc. need to be adapted to the consequences. GIZ supports partner countries in increasing their adaptation capacity and resilience.

Biological Diversity

Biological diversity is the totality of life on earth. It is also - and especially - about people. Diversity can arise, be preserved or lost through human influence. Biological diversity is currently dwindling at an unprecedented rate worldwide. This loss endangers the livelihoods of all human beings and impairs the economic and cultural development opportunities of present and future generations.

Renewable Energy

Energy demand to enable socio-economic development will double by 2050 and must be met to fulfill Agenda 2030. At the same time and in line with the Paris Agreement, global carbon emissions must come down at an unprecedented scale, and net-zero emissions must be reached by 2050. Covering the increasing energy demand while promoting rapid decarbonization of energy supply is the paramount challenge of our generation.

Energy

Displacement and Migration

People flee their home country for a wide range of reasons, including war, violence, persecution for political or religious reasons, and better employment and training opportunities.  Displacement and migration represent major challenges - for the individuals affected, their countries of origin and the host countries. GIZ’s work around the world helps tackle these challenges and create long-term prospects for people.

Forced Displacement and Migration

Global Health

Challenges in health protection are increasing worldwide. The steady rise in international commercial and passenger transport brings with it not only economic opportunities, but also the threat of the cross-border spread of health risks. GIZ supports the establishment of robust health systems to prevent the uncontrolled spread of health risks.

Green Economy

Economic growth and a fair distribution of wealth are the prerequisites for poverty reduction and sustainable development. However, if growth and development are bought at too high a cost in terms of consumption and emissions, future generations will suffer the consequences. “Green” growth requires new economic structures. GIZ advises its partner countries on the changeover.

Mitigation of Green House Gas Emissions

Climate protection means reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the central challenges of the Paris Agreement is the implementation of NDCs in relevant sectors (mainstreaming). This requires closer interdisciplinary cooperation in climate-relevant sectors. In addition to energy and transport, other polluter sectors such as industry, waste, cities, agriculture and forestry play an important role in climate protection.

Land Governance

The existence of many people depends directly on the land on which they live and farm. But land is a limited resource and demand is rising. Land conflicts arise because it is usually not clearly regulated who owns the land and who may use it. Reliable access to land is a basis for rural development. GIZ therefore supports the strengthening of property, ownership and land use rights in the partner countries.

Rural Agricultural and SME Finance

A large proportion of the poor in GIZ’s partner countries live in rural regions, where it is still difficult for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to use financial services. Factors such as low population density, long distances and weather risks all play a role in this. Furthermore, financial service providers often lack the knowledge and approaches needed to finance SMEs, especially those in agricultural production.

Agriculture

Agriculture is key to successfully achieving the goals and aspirations enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Agriculture is also critical to the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers and rural communities worldwide.

Oceans and Coasts

The ocean covers over 70% of the earth’s surface. Healthy and diverse coastal and marine ecosystems are essential for humankind, providing food security, income, personal wellbeing, coastal protection, climate regulation, and adaptation to climate change. Ocean and coasts are key to economies and livelihoods worldwide.

Sustainable Mobility

Worldwide, the quality of life in urban agglomerations suffers from the masses of traffic. Health-damaging exhaust fumes, noise, accidents and the use of space all cause problems for city dwellers. The more urbanization and motorization progress, the greater the problems. More and more roads and ever faster cars are not the way of the future. GIZ supports partners who want to make mobility sustainable.

Regional and Sectoral Economic Development

This topic encompasses the spatial (regional/local) as well as the industry (sectoral) focused approach to economic development. Regional and sectoral approaches can also be combined to achieve greater effectiveness.

Natural Resources

Today, about three quarters of the world's poor live in countries whose economies are dominated by commodities. This is despite the fact that natural resource deposits have the potential to drive a country's development, reduce financial dependence on external donors and increase the prosperity of the population. In many countries, however, they have an opposite effect: state structures are weakened, the environment is destroyed, and social conflicts are created or exacerbated.

Security

The security situation in many partner countries for international cooperation is very tense. People in these countries live with armed conflict and the risk of frequent outbreaks of violence. The state must protect its citizens and respect democracy and human rights. GIZ strengthens the state’s legitimate monopoly on the use of force.

Green and Climate Finance

From an economic point of view, a stable climate is a global public good. Measures for climate protection and adaptation to climate change cost money. An appropriate carbon price should actually ensure that environmental damage can be compensated. However, this is not the case. In order to cover the costs of climate protection and adaptation measures nevertheless, climate financing is used.

Environment Policy, Economics, and Management

In many countries, economic development leads to environmental pollution and an increasing consumption of natural resources. Good environmental management can solve many problems. GIZ's environmental management consultancy aims to make production and disposal in developing countries ecological and safer.

Urbanization

Most people around the world now live in towns and cities. GIZ sees rapid global urbanisation as an opportunity to help shape dignified and environmentally sound lifestyles.  It promotes regional development to create equality of opportunity and tap into regional potential.

Forest

Forests are a livelihood, a source of income and a land reserve.  Forests are also of global importance for the climate. They contribute to the degradation of greenhouse gases, form oxygen, and play an important role in regulating the water balance and adapting to climate change. In addition, they are home to more than two thirds of terrestrial biological diversity.

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