05.11.2009
"Climate protection is focus of our development policy", says Niebel
The German aid organisations Welthungerhilfe and Terre des Hommes today presented their shadow DAC report on "The Realities of Development Aid". This year’s report is concerned with the challenges that development needs are posing for the funding of climate protection measures.
German Development Minister Dirk Niebel commented on the report, saying:
"I am very grateful to the non-governmental organisations and the churches for their critical review of Germany’s development policy. They encourage us to take an even closer look at what we’re doing.
The livelihoods of many millions of people in Africa – and in other parts of the world – are being severely threatened by climate change. It is the poorest who are hit hardest by floods, droughts, crop failures and severe weather.
That is why, in the coalition agreement between the governing CDU/CSU and FDP parties, we underlined that protection of the climate, the environment and natural resources would count as priority areas on which we will focus our activities. Already we have earmarked around one billion euros in the Development Ministry’s budget for climate-related projects and programmes. We need to increase this amount further over time. Also, I feel it is particularly important that the German government pursues consistent policies with regard to the developing countries."