Context
Reports on the current state of the environment worldwide clearly show that the extent of the problems has dramatically increased in recent decades. Three planetary crises – climate, biodiversity and pollution – are threatening the livelihoods of current and future generations.
A profound socio-environmental transformation of business and society is needed to enable development that is environmentally sustainable and socially just. This calls for ambitious, systematic approaches that firmly establish environmental protection as the key guiding principle in all policy fields.
Objective
The development and implementation of transformative policies for environmental protection and nature conservation in international development cooperation have been improved.
Approach
The project advises Division 424 in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which is responsible for environment policy, biodiversity, forest protection and marine conservation.
In the first place, it supports BMZ on issues connected to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Its objective here is to further develop innovative policy instruments and implementation measures, especially those related to natural capital and nature-based solutions. It also contributes to the Green Value Initiative, which supports the efforts of partner countries and development organisations to take the value of nature into greater consideration in decision-making.
Secondly, the project provides advice on cross-cutting environmental policy issues with the aim of further developing overarching topics and policy instruments. Examples include environmental mainstreaming, green economy and green recovery concepts, and also green finance policies.
The third priority area is environmental pollution. Here, the project provides advice on current international processes in chemicals management and air pollution control. In addition, the project supports BMZ with the initiative on clean air for climate change mitigation and socio-environmental development.
Last update: March 2022
