Climate change is making itself felt, hitting people and nature hard. The sea level is rising. Extreme weather events such as storms, periods of great heat, floods and drought are becoming more frequent and more intense. The result is that a number of vital areas and sectors are at risk across the world: water resources, agricultural production, coastal zones, human settlement, energy supply and human health. The degree of vulnerability of societies and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change depends upon how severely they are exposed to climatic risks, and upon their capacity to adapt to climate-related changes. Those most susceptible are those least able to adapt to the consequences, because they lack technological and financial capabilities: poor countries and poor people in developing countries.

The Climate Protection Programme helps developing countries to adapt efficiently and appropriately to changed climatic conditions. Working together with our partners, we identify the options for action with regard to the affected people, economic sectors and ecosystems, for example in the fields of

• safeguarding natural resources
• rural development
• disaster mitigation
• food security
• management of water catchment areas, water resources and coastal zones.

The objective is to enhance adaptive capacity and minimise vulnerability to climate impacts.

Building upon analysis of adaptation measures for ongoing projects, we draw up guidelines for the integration of further measures. This is taken up in project planning and implementation, and in results monitoring. The focus throughout is on poverty reduction.

Acting in close cooperation with the GIZ partner country structures, the Climate Protection Programme undertakes country-specific and regionally focused individual measures to foster adaptation to climate change in developing nations. These activities launch a process of integration that mainstreams the various aspects of adaptation to climate change over the long term within German and international Development Cooperation, but also within the strategies adopted by partner countries.