Adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity conservation, REDD+

Since 2008, the International Climate Initiative (ICI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) has been financing climate and biodiversity projects in developing and newly industrialising countries, as well as in countries in transition. Based on a decision taken by the German parliament (Bundestag), a sum of 120 million euros is available for use by the initiative annually. The ICI is a key element of Germany’s implementation of fast start financing. The Energy and Climate Fund launched by the German Government in 2011 is a further source of finance for international climate projects, and for activities to conserve biological diversity. Part of that funding is deployed through the ICI. That Fund is replenished from the auctioning of emission allowances. This innovative source makes Germany well-prepared to deliver long-term financing for climate and biodiversity projects worldwide.

The ICI is active in four areas: promoting climate-friendly economies, fostering measures to adapt to the effects of climate change, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of natural carbon reservoirs, and conservation of biodiversity.

As at November 2012 the ICI has initiated 303 projects with funding totalling some 734.4 million euros. Additional capital contributed by the agencies implementing the projects and funding from other public and private-sector sources bring the total volume disbursed for ICI projects to over 2.2 billion euros.

Climate Protection Programme in Support of South Africa’s Climate Policy (South Africa): The project’s main task is to strengthen the capacity of the Department for Environmental Affairs for analysis, policy development and consensus building. In 2011, the project provided support in implementing workshops and public hearings throughout the country in which the Green Paper on the South African climate policy was debated. The project team coordinated and supported the publishing of a series of in-depth climate change research reports which provided important insights for developing the White Paper. In addition, the project is working with partners to develop an adaptation scenario and is conducting studies with a focus on the vulnerability of economically important sectors such as agriculture, tourism and biodiversity.

Ecosystem-based adaptation in marine, terrestrial and coastal regions (global): The project is analysing the potential of ecosystem-based adaptation measures at three locations in Brazil, South Africa and the Philippines. Pilot schemes in each of the countries provide examples of how adaptation measures based on completely different ecosystems can be designed, implemented and evaluated with the local population. In this way, the pilot activities in the three countries cover maritime and coastal zones, coral reefs, semi-deserts and tropical forests.

Conserving Forest Ecosystems in Amazonia (Peru): The project is supporting Peru to expand and preserve protected areas and promote their sustainable use. It advises and provides training to the protected areas administration in order to improve its forest management capacities. Also, the project supports the administration in developing management and financing plans, extends existing buildings, information centres and guard posts, and procures equipment, vehicles and communications facilities. Local population groups are closely involved in the project.

• Webpage on the International Climate Initiative
• http://www.bmu-klimaschutzinitiative.de/en/news