Environmental policy and global agendas

Global agreements on climate action, biodiversity and environmental conservation  create the framework for setting objectives and developing and implementing measures of individual countries. These agreements include:

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and equitable benefit-sharing
• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): promotion of soil conservation and sustainable land management
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):  climate action and climate change adaptation, including the Paris Agreement
• Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer: ozone protection
• Chemical and hazardous waste conventions: Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata
• Global Plastics Treaty (under negotiation)

Alongside partners from developing countries and emerging economies, the German Government is actively involved in negotiating such accords. The goal is to agree ambitious targets and conduct regular progress reviews. GIZ supports the process.

Sustainability needs strong networks

Multiple targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be combined with one another. We show how to leverage synergies – using approaches such as bioeconomy, circular economy, blue economy, ecosystem-based climate change adaptation and One Health. We also advise on global processes such as sustainable chemical management and green trade. 

International networks and multi-stakeholder partnerships help to generate political momentum and link environmental measures with other policy areas. We facilitate dialogue between countries, develop partnerships and assist with experience-sharing – including in relation to EU regulations. 

National solutions to global challenges

Each country develops its own strategies for climate action, biodiversity and environmental conservation and translates global agreements into national strategies and action plans. This requires expertise and properly functioning institutions. GIZ supports climate action, biodiversity, environmental-conservation and restoration policy as a standalone policy area and comprehensive cross-cutting task.

We advise our partners and provide training. Specifically, this involves:

• Creation and implementation of development strategies and action plans
• Integration of biodiversity, climate and environmental goals into national strategies and programmes
• Capacity development and development of green skills
• Implementation of environmental impact assessments and risk analyses
• Cooperation with the academic and scientific community on information systems, policy impact assessment, etc.
• Design of planning and control processes
• Improvement of environmental management in house and along the value chain
• Strengthening of regulation at national, federal and local government level
• Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and reduction of pollution
• Safeguarding access to financing options for climate action, biodiversity and environmental conservation
• Cooperation with the private sector to create suitable frameworks and facilitate technology transfer.
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