Environmental problems and the destruction of natural resources are also development problems on "spaceship Earth". It is the developing countries and the poorer population groups living there who suffer most as a result.

The aim of our work is to achieve sustainable development and reduce poverty by reversing the ongoing destruction of the natural resource basis on which life depends. Ecosystems and natural resources are vital, first and foremost, for the survival of the population of developing countries, but also for the survival of the global community of nations, because they represent a crucial driving force for development. GTZ makes a contribution to reducing environmental risks such as loss of biodiversity, climate change and water and air pollution. This involves providing advice to local populations, public and private sector institutions and international organisations. In cooperation with our national partners we develop concepts and strategies for effective environment policies and for sustainable resource management.

Our work is divided into five areas:

Environmental policy and institution-building: reform and decentralisation of environmental administrations in our partner countries, inter-institutional environmental and sustainability strategies, financing mechanisms and market instruments, promotion of consultation processes, communication on environmental matters, environmental impact assessments and environmental planning.

Sustainable management of natural resources: management of forest resources and tropical forest protection, national forestry programmes, nature conservation and management of nature reserves, biodiversity, desertification control, water catchment areas, forest certification, user charges and financing mechanisms.

The preparation and implementation of international agreements on the environment: e.g. reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change, biodiversity and biosafety, international forestry policies, phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.

Urban-industrial environmental management: environmental management at local level, environmental monitoring, waste management, water supply and wastewater disposal, industrial environmental protection, air pollution control, eco-efficiency in the private sector, power management, technological cooperation.

Regional, transnational environmental cooperation: bio-corridors, protection and sustainable use of the rainforests in the Congo and Amazon basins, water catchment areas in the Nile and Mekong basins, strategies for eco-efficiency in Latin America (the MERCOSUR region), regional forestry policy in Asia (ASEAN), desertification control in the Sahel region, Central Asia and Latin America.

Examples of our work: