Aligning Development Co-operation and Climate Action
The Only Way Forward
Climate change is altering the ecological and social systems that underpin human well-being and economic activity, and developing countries are particularly vulnerable to its impact on the growth and sustainable development prospects of every sector and community. Being part of the solution requires all providers of development co-operation to align their activities with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. However many still lack the mandates, resources, incentives and strategies to do so. This report outlines how providers can make changes at home, in developing countries and in the international development co-operation system, to help create low-emissions, climate-resilient economies, and how they can avoid supporting activities that lock the world into an unsustainable future.
Executive summary
The climate crisis is the defining challenge of the century, compounding existing threats to development while creating new obstacles. In 2015, three months after the creation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries established a clear global vision for addressing it. The Paris Agreement combines science-based goals with country-led processes to bring about the shift to low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate-resilient development pathways. Such pathways are the only option for countries to achieve economic, social and environmental development that is inclusive and sustainable. Sound climate policy is sound development policy. They are indivisible.