Climate change results
Partner countries reduce the negative impacts of climate change (Adaptation)
Results 2011–12
In 2011–12, AusAID directly assisted 23 partner countries to reduce vulnerability to climate change through the International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ICCAI).
An additional 54 countries have been assisted through regional and multilateral channels.
AusAID’s adaptation support focussed on establishing the policy, scientific and analytical basis for long-term action addressing the impacts of climate change on natural and socioeconomic systems and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change.
AusAID funding supported the publication of 15 country-specific climate summaries for Pacific island countries and East Timor—this will provide the scientific foundation for considering critical vulnerabilities and adaptation options.
In Vietnam, AusAID in partnership with Germany’s aid agency (GIZ) completed a three- year project to improve the management of coastal environment. More than 4.5km of installed protective fences now improve the survival and growth rates of over 40 hectares of mangroves in Kien Giang’s coastal areas. New sustainable livelihood activities, such as growing salt tolerant crops, were introduced, increasing household income by between 50 and 150 per cent for 98 households. Resources on climate change, biodiversity and waste management have been incorporated into primary school curricula and are being used by 8,000 teachers in over 280 schools.
AusAID has also supported the protection and upgrading of transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges that are vulnerable to extreme weather events in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
In Kiribati, sea walls were built to protect the main road and over 37,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted to help manage the impacts of coastal erosion and sea level rise. Improvements to the water supply have improved water security for over 1,200 people.
AusAID also funded a further 15 non-governmental organisation (NGO) projects in the Asia Pacific to reduce vulnerability and increase the resilience of local communities to the impacts of climate change. Projects include undertaking risk assessments with local communities, planning and capacity building, in sectors such as disaster risk reduction, agriculture and coastal resource management.
For further examples of our climate change adaptation results, see the pages of our key bilateral programs:
- Indonesia
- Pacific Islands
- Vietnam
Or visit our multilateral partners’ websites:
Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) [external link]
Adaption Fund (AF) [external link]
Commitments 2012-13
In 2012-13 AusAID will work to achieve greater integration of climate change across the aid program, including through continuing efforts to build capacity across the aid program.
AusAID will also assist Pacific island countries and regional and multilateral partners working in the Pacific use country profiles of future climate projections to assess climate vulnerability to enable climate resilient development planning.
Based on the success of the Kien Giang pilot project in Vietnam, Australia and Germany have entered into an expanded partnership across five provinces under the Climate Change and Coastal Ecosystems Program. The Program will continue to support communities to develop actions to deal with a changing climate including rehabilitating mangrove forests, improving dyke construction, development of alternative and adapted income opportunities for communities dependent on coastal forests, and alternative and adapted farming practices.
AusAID will continue working with NGO partners in the Pacific, Vietnam, East Timor and the Philippines to build resilience of local communities to climate change, and to reduce emissions.
Minimise carbon emissions through technological and regulatory support (mitigation—low carbon development)
Results 2011-12
Contributed to significant emissions reduction efforts in 22 developing countries, helped to prepare 40 developing countries for future emissions reduction activities, and contributed to regional and global emissions reduction efforts.
Directly assisted three key developing countries—Indonesia, South Africa, and Vietnam—to undertake low-carbon development.
Focussed on supporting key multilateral partners—the Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR) ($10 million) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) ($5 million)—to build the capacity of developing countries to participate in carbon markets and prepare strategies that help grow sustainable, green economies.
Supported five low-income countries to increase energy access through our $9.1 million contribution to the Climate Investment Funds’ (CIF) Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program.
Continued to support 15 countries to develop clean technology investment plans through our multi-year $100 million contribution to the CIF’s global Clean Technology Fund.
Worked, including through key role as Co-Chair, to design the Green Climate Fund which has the potential to become the largest global fund supporting action on climate change in developing countries.
Commitments 2012-13
Support developing countries to create new economic opportunities that increase energy access through the uptake of renewable energy with the remaining contribution of Australia’s $10 million commitment to the Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program (SREP).
Support the GGGI to deliver support for developing countries preparing sustainable growth plans.
Engage in the ongoing design and operationalisation process for the Green Climate Fund through Australia’s membership on the board.
Implementation of appliance energy efficiency standards program across the Pacific and energy efficiency lighting standards harmonisation across Asia.
Partner countries reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (Mitigation – REDD+)
Results 2011-12
With the help of Australia’s $12 million contribution to the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) in 2011–12, seven countries have signed grant agreements to assist in the development of strategies for reducing emissions from their forest sector.
Through the World Bank Forest Investment Program, four countries have submitted and received in-principle endorsement for Investment Plans, with Mexico receiving grants and concessional loans of US$42 million for its Mexico Forests and Climate Change Project.
As part of a REDD+ demonstration project in Central Kalimantan formal village agreements have been finalised in seven villages and incentive payments have been made to communities for environmental work.
More than 1.2 million seedlings raised in 35 community based nurseries were planted in the project area.
Together with partners in the Indonesian Government land cover change maps for Kalimantan for the period 2000 to 2009 have been generated in preparation for the establishment of an Indonesian Carbon Accounting System. In addition, Indonesian Officials were trained in carbon accounting and reporting models.
Established an NGO Partnership in PNG to help develop REDD+ policies and mechanisms.
Supported by AusAID, the Centre For International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has completed comparative analysis of REDD+ initiatives in nine countries and published and widely disseminated a comprehensive book, describing the progress, challenges and opportunities for REDD+.
Commitments 2012-13
Support the Energising Development Partnership implemented by GIZ to promote sustainable markets for clean cook stoves in up to six developing countries. This initiative will promote sustainable economic development opportunities for local communities and help to address a driver of deforestation and forest degradation.
Assist four Asia-Pacific countries to build capacity to implement timber legality verification systems.
Three additional countries sign grant agreements to assist in the development of strategies for reducing emissions from their forest sector under the FCPF.
A new research partnership with the Centre for International Forestry Research will be in place and produce high-quality research to analyse and assess efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+). The partnership will investigate and disseminate approaches to REDD+ that reduce poverty and protect local livelihoods.
An Australian Government partnership with the Government of Kenya will design and start to implements a land management and carbon accounting system, which will help the people of Kenya to manage land resources and participate in carbon markets.