Developing climate resilience – Adapting to climate change
Although developing communities are the least responsible for climate change, they are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. In the last year alone, floods, cyclones, and droughts have impacted the communities we work with across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, eroding their hard-won development gains.
Our Environment and Climate Change program helps farmers adapt to climate change by increasing access to water, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and introducing drought- and disease-tolerant crops. We also help communities with disaster preparedness and recovery.
Alignment with SDGs
This program contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Adapting to climate change in Africa
Climate shocks are a significant challenge for rural farming communities. Erratic weather patterns and extreme weather events, such as Cyclone Idai, can destroy crops and deplete harvests, impacting families’ food security, nutrition, and income. We therefore focus on increasing access to water for irrigation, introduce climate-adapted crops, and link farmers with agricultural research networks to help boost their resilience.
Fighting poverty with sweet potatoes
Climate change programs in Asia
Flooding, saltwater intrusion, and dry spells are destroying vital crops in the Mekong Delta – one of Asia’s largest food bowls. In Vietnam, our micro-finance program provides small loans to help struggling rice farmers pivot to climate-friendly business models, such as soursop production – a crop that thrives in brackish water.
Meanwhile, in Cambodia, rural households are struggling to maintain their traditional farming practices due to climate challenges. For many, migrating to find work is the only option. This is particularly unsafe for women and girls, who are vulnerable to exploitative labour and human trafficking. We therefore help vulnerable communities establish savings groups and start small businesses that are less vulnerable to climate change, so they can earn a living without leaving home.
Protecting the environment in the Pacific
Pacific Island nations are on the forefront of climate change, experiencing rising sea levels, extreme weather events such as Cyclone Harold, and depletion of fresh water sources that underpin community health and productivity. In the Pacific, we focus on helping communities access fresh water and nutritious food. Our governance program also builds stronger and more inclusive communities better able to prepare for and withstand climate shocks.
Increasing climate resilience in Kiribati
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