By joining the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the states of the world have committed themselves to protecting human society and ecosystems against human-induced climate change – industrialised and developing countries alike, each according to their respective capabilities. In order that poorer developing countries can join this effort, they are supported by the industrialised countries: In that endeavour, the Climate Protection Programme (CaPP) makes the key contribution within the context of German International Cooperation.

To limit the advancing warming of the Earth’s atmosphere, greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced in the industrialised and developing world. Through its consultancy inputs in many developing countries, CaPP has shown that climate change mitigation need not constrain economic development.

All international efforts notwithstanding, climate change is already making itself felt today. CaPP has therefore made adaptation to the impacts of climate change a further focus of its activities, in addition to emissions reduction. It is above all poor people in developing countries who are affected by the impacts – hence CaPP’s adaptation approach contributes to poverty reduction.

The concrete experience gained by CaPP with climate protection in developing countries is also harnessed at the level of international policy. By consulting and representing the German ministries for development and environment (BMZ and BMU), we transmit knowledge and know-how to international climate negotiations and shape these actively.