Environmentally sustainable development vital in combating poverty

Sida’s task is to contribute to a fair and environmentally sustainable development. Economic growth is crucial in combating poverty, but the growth needs to be sustainable. That means taking into account different factors such as environmental impact, climate change and the loss of biodiversity.

In many of Sida’s partner countries, climate change and depletion of ecosystems is already evident, which has largely affected people’s health and their ability to support themselves. Adapting to climate change is crucial for the developing countries’ ability to face the challenges of poverty and climate change. 

All Sida’s initiatives are to be characterized by an environmental and climate features, in all sectors. The overall goal of Sida’s policy for environment and climate change reads: improved environment, sustainable use of natural resources and strengthened resilience towards environmental effects and climate change in developing countries, and a limited impact on the climate.

Sida focuses on environment, climate change and sustainable development by supporting initiatives within five areas:

• Improved institutional capacity within public institutions
• Improved food supply including sustainable management of ecosystems
• Improved management of water resources and supply of clean water and sanitation services
• Increased access to sustainable energy resources
• Sustainable urban development

Greater access to basic public services, energy, water, sanitation and housing, is vital for combating poverty and economic development. This is also a foundation on which to base other human rights. Sweden and Sida have been pioneers in getting the issues of environment and sustainable development on the global agenda, including issues concerning participation and gender equality.

One important aspect when considering different development cooperation initiatives is to carefully weigh the expected development opportunities against the risk of negative environmental impacts. This should be made visible in strategies and other documents through identification of different conflicts between goals and by suggesting the best way to address them.

Cooperation between different actors is crucial when handling cross-border issues such as environment and climate change, on both global, regional, national and local levels. The starting point for Sida’s work with environmentally sustainable development is strengthening its partner countries’ own capacity and ability, and creating a strong ownership with decision makers on different levels. Support to authorities and non-governmental organisations is therefore important, as well as collaboration with trade and industry and research.

Sida cooperates with global development agencies such as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB). Sida also supports the NGOs Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SNF) and WWF and their environmental work in developing countries. Another example is Diakonia that works with climate change adaptation in Kenya in cooperation with the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK).

Sida cooperates with the business sector through its programme Business for Development, through which companies can contribute to a sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Examples of efforts that Sweden is involved in: 

• Support for partner countries brings the opportunity to test new technology within sustainable urban development and renewable energy.
• Strengthening developing countries’ ability to make their voice heard in climate change negotiations. Greater knowledge has led to raising climate change on the agenda in many countries.
• The World Bank’s water and sanitation programme in Africa.
• The Asia Sustainable and Alternative Energy Program (ASTAE) in countries such as Bangladesh, India, China and Vietnam, for long-term sustainable energy solutions.