Climate change and development Climate and development partnerships
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports ambitious partner countries through bilateral climate and development partnerships (P+) and through multilateral partnerships within the G7 framework (Just Energy Transition Partnerships, JETPs).
The aim is to work with developing countries and emerging economies on raising the level of ambition for achieving the 1.5 degree Celsius target set in the Paris Agreement while progressing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the same time. By coupling climate and development objectives, the intention is to show that equitable, climate-oriented structural change based on gender justice can help to advance society. The partners are emerging economies with high greenhouse gas emissions, as well as developing countries that play a particularly active role in climate policy.
Through its support for ambitious climate targets and its cooperation in international initiatives, Germany – via the climate partnerships – is expanding its global climate policy network and thus building alliances for the future.
The bespoke partnerships link in with the partner countries’ national plans and strategies (including the Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs) and promote a broad-based social-ecological transformation of the economy and lifestyles. The financial resources committed within the framework of the partnerships will be combined and substantially increased inter alia through the involvement of development banks, the private sector and non-profit organisations.
Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs)
The global energy transition away from coal, oil and gas towards renewable energies is one of the key tasks in combating the climate crisis. In order to lend additional impetus to this transition, the G7 countries have initiated Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs). This offer is mainly aimed at emerging economies and fast-growing developing countries, whose energy policies are critically important for global climate action.
The first partnership of this kind was agreed with South Africa at the 2021 Climate Change Conference; others will follow. For example, at their Elmau summit in June 2022, the G7 countries, together with India, Indonesia, Senegal and Viet Nam, reaffirmed their intention to work in partnership for a just energy transition.
Just Energy Transition Partnership Example: South Africa
France, the United Kingdom, the US and the European Union are working alongside Germany in support of South Africa’s efforts to progress its exit from coal and substantially expand its renewable energies. As South Africa plays a major role as a regional electricity supplier, this partnership will have an impact beyond its national borders as well.
The JETP will mobilise an initial commitment of 8.5 billion US dollars, with Germany’s contribution amounting to 700 million euros (including 670 million euros via the BMZ). The aim is to enable South Africa to prevent up to 1.5 gigatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years. In order to ensure an equitable exit from coal, funds will be invested inter alia in employment opportunities for women and young people, in small and medium-sized enterprises, and in future locations for innovative technologies such as green hydrogen and electric vehicles. In addition, support will be provided for more than 90,000 mine workers, enabling them to develop new employment prospects.
Bilateral climate and development partnerships (P+)
Within the framework of the climate and development partnerships (P+) agreed at intergovernmental level, the BMZ assists developing countries and emerging economies to step up their efforts to achieve the Paris climate targets. P+ partnerships currently exist with Pakistan, Serbia, Rwanda, India and Peru; the BMZ is involved in discussions with other countries.
Alongside climate change mitigation, adaptation to climate change impacts is a key topic in the P+ partnerships. The cooperation focuses on the partners’ respective key sectors; examples are energy, natural carbon sinks such as forests and wetlands, sustainable agriculture and urban development.
The starting point is the recognition that a green and equitable transition is a task for the whole of society and that it can only succeed if all sectors and groups are appropriately involved. The P+ partnerships therefore extend beyond intergovernmental cooperation alone and include civil society, the business community and academia.
Bilateral climate and development partnership Example: Pakistan
Pakistan is among the countries that are most severely affected by climate change. As a result of extreme weather events and gradual climatic changes, many people have already been forced to leave their homes and flee to other parts of the country.
The Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Initiative was agreed in September 2021. The BMZ is assisting its partner country to improve its adaptation to climate change impacts, meet its commitments arising from the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and implement a just energy transition. The BMZ supports not only the restructuring of the economy and energy supply but also the development and expansion of social security systems. In addition, the partnership particularly aims to strengthen youth participation in climate decision-making.
As at: 04/11/2022