Sida's work with climate and environment
The effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation are becoming increasingly alarming, leading to increased poverty, inequality and conflict. Sida works to reduce poverty, promote sustainable development and a just green transition in our partner countries.
Why do Sida work for climate and environment?
Climate change exacerbates poverty and increases inequality and vulnerability
Emissions and global warming continue to increase, reducing the possibility of reaching the temperature target of keeping global warming below 1.5 to a maximum of 2 degrees. Recurring crises and disasters are becoming more frequent and widespread with floods and droughts. This threatens access to food, water and health, often leading to migration and conflict. Several billion people live in climate vulnerable areas. Those who suffer most are often those least responsible for emissions. The richest 10 per cent of the world account for half of global emissions.
Healthy ecosystems, biodiversity and natural resources – prerequisites for human life
Land use change and climate change are driving the loss of biodiversity and functioning ecosystems. Overexploitation of natural resources and pollution threaten people’s livelihoods, weaken resilience to climate change and degrade people’s living conditions. Preserving biodiversity is essential for people to have access to clean water, food, housing and recreation.
Increased pollution threatens public health
Pollution in the air, soil, seas and water bodies is increasing. Air pollution is the number one threat to our global public health, killing millions of people every year. Women and children are extremely vulnerable. Overuse of hazardous chemicals and pesticides in agriculture, inadequate waste management, and industrial and sewage discharges into land, sea and water affect people’s health and livelihoods, undermining sustainable and inclusive development.
Examples of what Sida has contributed to
Reducing vulnerability with climate adaptation and emission reductions
Most of our partner countries are very vulnerable to climate change. At the same time, they contribute little to emissions. Other partner countries have fairly high emissions. In countries with high emissions, Sida contributes, among other things, to energy efficiency and energy transition to reduce emissions. In areas severely affected by climate change, Sida works to reduce the vulnerability of communities and people and increase their resilience to weather-related crises and disasters. Among other things, Sida has contributed to building capacity and climate and weather data to predict and prevent crises and disasters in our partner countries. In many countries south of the Sahara in Africa, many people lack electricity. Here, Sida supports access to sustainable energy solutions and new technologies, so that countries do not become dependent on fossil energy sources.
Sustainable use of forests, oceans and water protects ecosystems
Sida contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources, restoration and conservation of forests, land, water and marine resources. In Mozambique, for example, mangrove forests have been restored, protecting against storms, ensuring that key ecosystems function so that fish and other species can continue to reproduce, and ensuring food security in coastal communities. Local forest management in Chad conserves forests and is crucial for sustainable inclusive economic development in forestry and agriculture. In the Middle East and North Africa, water scarcity is a major concern. Here, water use has been improved in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa, increasing farmers’ harvests, incomes and securing access to food.
Reducing pollution in air, soil and water
Sida supports partner countries in preventing and taking measures to reduce emissions of pollutants into air, soil and water. Energy efficiency measures in Eastern Europe have reduced emissions and improved the environment and human health.
Among other things, Sida has helped countries in Asia to develop action plans to regulate chemicals, plastics and waste in the oceans.
In sub-Saharan Africa, switching from wood burning to sustainable clean energy is improving human health and reducing deforestation. Sida is also helping to reduce the overuse of hazardous chemicals in agriculture by supporting sustainable farming practices.
Sida's work on climate and environment
Sida’s work on climate and the environment aims to improve the living conditions for those affected by poverty and oppression.
The climate and environmental perspective permeates all of Sida’s activities to create the conditions for sustainable development cooperation.
Sida’s priorities 2024-2026:
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution
- reducing the loss of biodiversity, terrestrial, freshwater and freshwater and marine ecosystems
- increased resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Sida works on climate and environment through
- targeted projects and programmes with climate and environment
- climate and environment integration in other areas
- dialogue and policy advocacy
- mobilisation of capital.
Sida helps communities and people to better withstand and cope with the impacts of climate change, including floods and droughts. We strengthen countries, communities and people to adapt and increase their resilience to climate change, as well as to environmental problems and natural disasters.
Here are some examples of the programmes and projects we support:
The Middle East and North Africa is facing severe water scarcity and recurrent extreme weather events and droughts due to climate change. The United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) runs the SDG Climate Facility programme, which brings together regional and national organisations in six countries in the region. This co-operation prevents conflicts and works on reconstruction in the water sector.
In Jordan, it has contributed to 18 start-ups developing new solutions for more efficient and sustainable use of water, such as recycling and protecting water sources for groundwater. The new solutions are expected to provide access to clean water for 1,300 people, over 60 per cent of whom are young people.
Two out of three people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity. Forests are cut down to make firewood for cooking and fossil fuels power simple light sources in the evenings. Sida supports Power Africa, an initiative that increases people’s access to renewable energy, leading to lower emissions, cleaner indoor air and better health.
One obstacle to the transition to renewable energy is the existence of financial subsidies for the use of fossil fuels. Sida is pushing for the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) to accelerate the just transition to green energy, to transform the energy sector, and become more energy efficient and fossil-free.
In Burkina Faso, 80 per cent of the population lives in rural areas and depends on farming. As the climate changes, droughts are increasing and irrigation is needed.
In cooperation with the Burkina Faso Ministry of Agriculture, Sida contributes to small-scale irrigation in the form of small rainwater ponds used for irrigation, growing vegetables, fruit and raising fish. Small-scale producers also receive training on how to manage the ponds and diversify their farming.
Sida contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources, restoration and conservation of forests, land, water and marine resources.
Here are some examples of programmes and projects that Sida supports:
Land rights are an important prerequisite for the sustainable use and equitable distribution of natural resources and the conservation of biodiversity. Through support to SwedBio, Sida has helped indigenous peoples in the Philippines to have their land rights recognised by the state. In Uganda, the Batwa people have had their right to compensation for lost land rights recognised in connection with the introduction of strict nature conservation areas.
In the Western Balkans, Sida supports the alignment of laws and policies with EU legislation and with local environmental and natural resource management.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, several new laws and regulations on environmental protection have been adopted. Local environmental organisations have actively lobbied for a nature protection area in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sida has contributed to the work of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank in mapping areas and ecosystems that need to be protected and restored.
In Colombia, the maps are used in the country’s water resource management plans. In Uganda, the maps are part of the country’s 5-year development plan and in Costa Rica, the maps are used to work on climate adaptation that takes into account important ecosystems.
For many years, Sida has contributed to reducing pollution through support to partner organisations. This is done at both national, regional and global levels, focusing on reducing pollution in air, soil and water. Sometimes this involves working specifically on chemicals and plastics.
Below are some examples of this work from different places around the world.
Sida supports the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), a network of hundreds of environmental organisations, active in 124 countries. They work to reduce and phase out chemicals that are harmful to the environment and health through advocacy based on research. IPEN’s work helps build an evidence base while increasing understanding of the importance of using chemicals responsibly, and also enables a circular economy.
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a regional research institute, conducts research and disseminates knowledge on climate and the environment in Asia. Among other things, they work to reduce air pollution from brickworks. Sida’s long-term support has improved the air environment in the region by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, particulate matter and soot.
Using open fires to cook indoors, or for heat and light, is one of the most dangerous sources of pollution in the world, affecting the health of women and children in particular. Respiratory diseases caused by indoor fires in simple and poorly ventilated houses lead to many deaths. In addition, this contributes to deforestation, even if cooking takes place outdoors.
By supporting the African AECF REACT SSA programme, small and medium-sized enterprises can offer modern energy solutions to particularly vulnerable groups. This reduces emissions and increases the ability to adapt to climate change.
The programme supports companies that develop and provide clean ways of cooking, replacing coal and kerosene with modern alternatives powered by biogas, pellets and ethanol. Through the programme, around 200 000 individuals have gained access to better ways of cooking, leading to a reduction of 122 000 tonnes of CO2 and less deforestation.
Serbia’s industrial sector and large-scale agriculture are in dire need of greening – both to reduce climate impact and improve the country’s environment, but also to enable future EU membership.
Sida is supporting a project to implement EU rules on emissions. Key results from the project include the development of several EU-compliant permits for various operators, which means that, for example, large-scale farms, manufacturing industries and landfills now need to invest in improved wastewater management, reduced energy consumption and climate emissions, and improved controls on chemicals. The project also helps industries to continue exporting to the EU by complying with higher environmental standards.
A lot of money is needed to implement the Paris Agreement. Sida is therefore working actively to mobilise capital from companies and the business sector, including through loan guarantees.
There is ongoing work to increase the mobilisation of capital both globally, in countries and in regions.
Here are some examples:
In 2022, Sida signed new agreements worth around SEK 2 billion for climate initiatives, mobilising around SEK 5.8 billion.
Another example is a SEK 363 million guarantee to partner Sunfunder, which helps with investments in solar energy solutions in African countries. This guarantee has so far made it possible to install 540,000 solar panels and provide 2.5 million people with access to clean energy.
Another new guarantee from 2022 supports a fund called Mirova Gigaton Fund, which invests in solar energy companies in Africa and Asia. This guarantee is worth SEK 590 million and is expected to raise around SEK 4.4 billion in total.
Climate and environment is one of Sida’s most prioritised areas and is included in 31 of the government’s 46 strategies. The scope of Sida’s environmental and climate assistance ranges from support to organisations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America, to regional and global organisations.
Updated: May 27, 2024