To work towards the overall goal of poverty alleviation, Denmark has acknowledged its responsibility to climate-proof its development assistance. However, all partners must be committed, if long-term sustainable development is to be achieved. A strong message The Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) leaves no doubt: by affecting the natural environment and the world's ecosystems, global warming will seriously influence agriculture, the water supply and the livelihoods of millions of poor people in developing countries. By 2020, up to 250 million people in Africa are projected to suffer from increased water-stress due to climate change. Coupled with a rising demand, this will have an adverse impact on livelihoods and exacerbate water-related problems. Agricultural production and food security in many African countries are also expected to be severely affected by climate change. The path to progress In 2005, Denmark launched the “Climate and Development Action Programme”, which is an integral part of the Danida Aid Management Guidelines (AMG). Along with the mandatory environmental screening process, a climate change screening is conducted in order to define the need for either adaptation or mitigation measures. Adaptation of crops Adaptation involves coping strategies in relation to climate events; examples in the Danish development cooperation include assessment of the effects of extreme weather on infrastructure, e.g. road construction and risk management in agriculture. For instance, crops in Africa are improved through grafting to mature faster and to better cope with droughts. Reducing CO2 emission Mitigation means reducing human-caused emission of greenhouse gasses in order to avoid development action becoming future global warming. Denmark therefore strives to identify opportunities for its partner countries to pursue, for instance, sustainable energy methods and land management to reduce CO2 emission. Negotiations on climate Poor developing countries are severely affected by climate change, while hardly contributing to the problems. Denmark, therefore, assists these countries in strengthening their capacity in order for them to play an active role in the international debate and negotiations, for instance at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen (COP 15) in 2009. The aim is to ensure the best conditions for continued economic and sustainable development. Climate proofing is expensive, but ignoring climate change in development will become even more costly in the long run, economically, socially and environmentally. Related Case: Coping with climate changeDenmark mainstreams climate change adaptation in its development cooperation in order to help effectively fight global poverty and promote sustainable economic and social development.
