Governments worldwide signed the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity to protect the climate and nature. In doing so, they have undertaken to produce strategies aimed at making their economies climate-friendly, resilient and compatible with nature.
Countries in Africa and Asia, in particular, face challenges here, as their populations and economies are growing rapidly. As a result, emissions of harmful greenhouse gases are rising, and ecosystems and the environment are suffering more and more.
Countries must therefore link long-term strategies for climate action and biodiversity with economic development. International support and sharing experiences can help in this regard.
Governments are using internationally proven approaches to make their economies climate-friendly, resilient and compatible with nature.
The project advises partner countries in Africa, West Asia, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia on how to incorporate ecosystems that support the climate, such as forests and peatlands, into their climate protection strategies. Experts are also analysing how to make economies resilient to the impacts of climate change and ensure that they protect biodiversity.
The project is testing in practice how local people can use nature and raw materials for the economy in harmony with the climate and environment.
Experts working on the project are also identifying particularly valuable areas such as moors and forests, establishing protected areas and promoting environmentally friendly use, for example through ecotourism.
The project trains staff in local authorities on how to better identify the impacts of climate change in river basins and to plan appropriate measures.
In addition, it advises environmental authorities on preventing plastic waste and on which environmental standards make sense for businesses.
Furthermore, the project advises the countries on how to secure funding to disseminate successful approaches.