Taking a climate perspective on development: GIZ's climate proofing for development approach

Abstract

A considerable number of development activities could be negatively affected by the impacts of climate change. Accordingly, it is important for climate change to be taken into consideration in the early stages of development plans and projects. Climate Proofing for Development is an approach consisting of specific analytical steps, which was developed by GIZ (Germany's Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) to systematically assess climate risks and opportunities in development planning and to help identify and prioritise necessary responses. The approach has been applied in over 10 countries. It builds on the participation of different experts and stakeholders in the process and is flexible enough to be used at different levels. Lessons learned from the application of the approach in Mali, Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries include the importance of creating a common understanding of impacts of climate change in a given area, identifying the right stakeholders, finding good entry points in the planning process, and integrating the results into monitoring and evaluation procedures.

Keywords:

• adaptation
• climate change
• sustainable development
• mainstreaming