Human-caused climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time and is a grave threat, both to economic justice and the eradication of poverty. Climate change highlights the global inequity between rich and poor countries: Although it is a direct result of the industrial revolution in the rich countries of the world, it is the poorest countries that bear the consequences; countries that never enjoyed the benefits of this economic development.
Our work
- Strengthening and diversifying livelihood strategies among marginalised groups, with an emphasis on indigenous peoples
- Promoting measures designed to reduce the vulnerability of poor communities in the wake of natural disasters, such as flood and drought
- Promoting measures such as rainwater harvesting and building of levees to mitigate flood damage, secure sustainable access to water and improve food security
- Supporting national and global advocacy in securing climate change adaptation initiatives in poor countries and for the development of good strategies for handling natural disasters
Our ultimate goal with this programme is to better equip poor people and communities to confront the consequences of climate change.
In addition to working directly with climate change in our own programmes, our goal is to use envi-ronmentally friendly measures in other programmes, whether those concern health or women’s rights. Our international network, the ACT Alliance, has developed overarching strategies and working methods in this area for all its members.
Where we work
The following countries are included in the ‘Climate change adaptation’ programme: Laos, Vietnam, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Haiti and The Dominican Republic, Brazil, Mauritania, Angola, Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Ethiopia and Mozambique.