Germany, in conjunction with World Resources, has announced a new service that offers support for new programs to combat climate change in developing countries.

A Program for Autonomy

Though specifically designed to tackle climate change in developing countries, this service is available for all countries. The program intends to utilize the shared information of developing and developed countries alongside non-profit organizations and key businesses.

One of the program’s primary tenets is to offer customized advice to countries seeking help implementing INDCs or Intended Nationally Determined Contributes. INDCs refer to plans submitted in December of last year to the U.N. during climate change talks in Paris. However, many countries lack the understanding or funds necessary to execute INDCs.

The German Minister for the Environment, Barbara Hendricks, released the following statement: “We are ready to support developing countries in tackling this challenge and to share our experience with them. This should also give our partner countries new opportunities for development.”

Few Emissions, Many Consequences

According to the Center for Global Development, the world’s richest countries emit the bulk of greenhouse gasses responsible for climate change. Yet, developing countries and poorer communities will feel the effects of climate change more keenly in the coming years. Already, droughts in Africa and Asia have driven people away from their homes and toward coastal areas.

However, combating climate change in developing countries is not impossible. By implementing climate change measures into its national policy, Germany has taken a key first step toward a solution. Another target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020. This money, provided by developed countries, will go toward mitigating some of the needs of developing countries.

The First Step to Global Improvements

Furthermore, the U.N. hopes to help developing countries become more capable of responding to new climate change related issues. This includes educating women, youth, and marginalized communities on these issues. As a result, they may more readily contribute to a solution.

The importance of tackling climate change cannot be overstated. Ahead of the meeting in Germany, Development Minister Gerd Müller said, “We can only create a world without hunger and poverty if we all effectively promote climate protection.”

– Sabrina Santos

Photo: Pixabay