Climate change – a challenge and an opportunity

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. And one that is further exacerbated by conflict, social inequality and fragile political contexts We take an integrated approach to climate action (the reduction or prevention of harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions) and climate change adaptation. This enables us to protect the natural environment and strengthen society, democracy and the economy at the same time.

Based on dialogue with partners from the political and business spheres and civil society worldwide, GIZ develops climate solutions that are effective, socially just and economically competitive. We adapt our work to local contexts and draw on global connections.

An overview:

• We promote technological innovation to encourage investment in climate action and climate resilience.
• We place a focus on participatory approaches and local solutions for effective local implementation of global climate targets.
• We support climate-friendly value creation and social participation as a means of creating economic prospects for broad sectors of society.
• We combine emissions reduction and adaptation measures by assisting partners with transitioning to climate friendly technologies, protecting societies and ecosystems and strengthening their climate resilience.
• We engage in cross-sectoral cooperation to promote synergies between the energy, agricultural, infrastructure, health and mobility sectors.
• We strengthen particularly vulnerable groups to facilitate a just and inclusive transformation.

Our goal is to create a future where no one is left behind.

Shaping adaptation together – for a climate-resilient future

Many countries are already experiencing the full force of climate change and its consequences: drought, flooding and water scarcity are putting livelihoods at risk, weakening biodiversity and hampering efforts to reduce poverty. Developing countries and emerging economies are particularly affected – even though they have historically contributed least to global warming. That is why adapting to the expected consequences of climate change is just as important to us as reducing emissions and thus an integral component of global climate justice.

We support our partner countries in identifying climate-related risks at an early stage, mitigating their consequences effectively and establish sustainable and robust coordination structures. Our approach: systematic, participatory and equitable We work together to make development climate-resilient – through integrated climate risk management, science-based analyses, inclusive planning processes and adapted financing solutions.

We view climate change adaptation as a cross-cutting task rather than a standalone activity: it is a component of social, economic and environmental transformation. For this reason, we amplify the voice of vulnerable groups, promote equitable participation and ensure that local perspectives and knowledge inform decision-making processes. This is the only way to foster genuine resilience – for a more equitable and climate-proof future. 

Our services:

• We conduct climate risk analyses for particularly vulnerable regions, sectors and population groups.
• We produce evidence-based decision-making tools to empower governments, companies and communities to take effective action.
• We develop and support National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) for integration into long-term political strategies and public budgets.
• We promote cross-sectoral cooperation, for instance between the agricultural, health, infrastructure and environmental sectors.
• We provide advisory services, training and methodological support to strengthen capacities at local, regional and state level.

Effective climate action: preventing emissions

The concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) continues to rise, with serious consequences for humans, the environment and the economy. Decisive and concerted action is required at international level if we are to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius (as per the Paris Agreement). We know what the solutions are – the key is to implement them jointly right around the globe.

Our services:

• We assist partner countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) on an ambitious, cross-sectoral basis in accordance with development goals.
• We support policy-making processes for integrating binding climate targets into legislation, budgetary planning and infrastructural expansion measures.
• We promote sustainable transformation processes in key sectors such as energy, mobility and agriculture.
• We create economic prospects by disseminating highly competitive technologies, taking account of social justice by combining climate action with innovation, job creation and development.
• We integrate aspects of gender into climate strategies to ensure that men and women’s different experiences are visible and that they are taken into consideration

Shaping global climate policy together

Global climate targets require joint action: GIZ promotes international and multilateral cooperation for the purposes of implementing the Paris Agreement and creating an equitable and sustainable future.

Our integrative approach goes beyond technical advisory services: we promote dialogue based on partnership, bring international actors together and strengthen participatory processes, thereby helping to develop sustainable and equitable solutions for climate action.

Against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical fragmentation, we play an active role in UN climate negotiations and support global decision-making processes with a view to establishing effective international climate targets. 

Our services:

• We work to promote strong and equitable global climate policy through our involvement in various dialogue forums around the world.
• We proactively support international decision-making processes and promote implementation of the Paris Agreement by assisting with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), long-term strategies and transparent reporting.
• We foster dialogue and cooperation between states, civil society, the private sector and the academic and scientific community, bring international actors together and encourage the sharing of experience on innovative policies.
• We promote participation and the achievement of results by strengthening participatory processes in developing countries and emerging economies.

Climate finance with a future

Limiting global warming to below two degrees Celsius will require funding in excess of USD 1 trillion per year to 2050 – a staggering sum. At the same time, the damage caused by ecosystem loss and the increase in extreme weather events is already running into billions of dollars each year. The investment required for solutions geared to climate action and climate change adaptation far exceeds the environmental and climate funding currently available. This financing gap can only be bridged through a concerted effort on the part of public and private sector actors.

Our services:

• We support partner countries in creating sustainable financial flows and improving their access to international funding sources. As part of this work, we develop dialogue platforms and cooperation and steering structures to facilitate sound decision-making on forward-looking environmental and climate finance.
• We support the further development of national climate financing strategies, particularly in the context of implementing NDCs and NAPs. In so doing, we prioritise investments that guarantee the sustainable implementation of climate action initiatives. We involve the private sector in order to mobilise additional funding for climate-friendly projects.
• We support commercial banks, development banks and other financial institutions in making their products climate and environmentally friendly (e.g. green bonds).
• We advise finance ministries and central banks on creating the political and legal frameworks for commercial capital to flow into sustainable projects (blended finance).
• We support governments with greening their financial policy, for example through environmental tax reforms, carbon pricing, national climate funds and the integration of natural capital accounting.
• We enhance skills and raise awareness in relation to climate risk management and support the development of climate risk insurance schemes and new insurance models.
• We work closely with international climate funds and initiatives, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF) and the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

Climate and gender equality

In many countries, women and girls bear primary responsibility for providing for their families – this includes food, water, energy and care. And yet they are often the last to receive assistance in crisis situations. Climate change is exacerbating these inequalities and making existing forms of discrimination even more visible.

At the same time, women and vulnerable groups possess valuable local knowledge as a result of their wide-randing responsibilities. This knowledge is crucial in making climate change adaptation measures effective, inclusive and equitable. Systematic integration of gender perspectives can make climate policy far more effective and equitable.

Our services:

• We support partner countries in integrating a gender perspective into their climate action and climate change adaptation strategies to ensure that climate initiatives are implemented equitably and effectively.
• We advise governments, institutions and civil society on developing and implementing gender-responsive measures.
• We promote systematic data collection, participation formats and capacity development to make gender-specific differences visible and ensure they are accounted for at strategic level.
• We initiate and support political dialogue that facilitates equitable participation and focuses on gender-equal solutions.
• We consolidate the local knowledge of women and girls to ensure that it is used systematically to inform decision-making processes and support sustainable transformation.

Climate change and security

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to security in the 21st century. It poses a growing risk to livelihoods and exacerbates existing conflicts around the world. Increasing weather extremes, rising sea levels and the 

growing risk posed by natural disasters are robbing millions of people of their livelihoods. Resource scarcity and competition for food, water and land heighten tensions and can cause conflicts to escalate.

Migration and displacement are complex phenomena. People leave their homes in search of work, income, peace and security. But these fundamental factors are massively impacted in many regions by the consequences of climate change. As quality of life deteriorates, livelihoods come under threat and environmental conditions are destroyed, people are forced to migrate elsewhere – leaving their homes is often the only option left to them.

Our services:

• We adopt a comprehensive approach to climate and security that takes equal account of climate impacts, climate-induced migration, conflict and governance challenges.
• We show how climate projects promote peacebuilding and thus improve the long-term successes of international cooperation.
• We conduct climate risk analyses based on projections to 2030 or 2050 that deliver precise information on the population groups, sectors and regions particularly affected.
• We use these data-driven forecasts to minimise or prevent risks early on and create scope for resilient development.

Climate knowledge for everyone 

We make climate knowledge available to everyone and link it systematically with key fields of activity: In the agricultural sector, we promote climate-resilient cultivation methods and conserve soil, which serves as a carbon sink. In the energy sector, we support partners in expanding renewable energy and work to promote energy efficiency in cities and the industrial sector. Health, tourism and urban development are also areas in which we provide sector-specific advice – , for example on climate change adaptation in urban areas and the reduction of climate-sensitive health risks.

Climate action and climate change adaptation are not solely the responsibility of environment ministries – they belong at the heart of political, economic and societal decision-making processes.