environmental protection

Practical Experiences supporting the Green EconomyExamples from German Development Cooperation

Green Economy

durabilité

Green growth

New Deal vert

Biodiversität

Ökosystem

social equity

Umweltschutz

Green New Deal

Nachhaltigkeit

Armutsminderung

Ressourceneffizienz

erneuerbare Energie Wohlstand

climate protection ökologisch

l’efficace des ressources

écosystème

sustainable development

prosperity

écologique

l’infrastructure intelligente

sustainabilityprotection de l’environnement

corporate social responsibility

nachhaltige Entwicklung

secteur privé

Privatwirtschaft

Privatwirtschaft

développement durable

ReKomEnt

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Published by:Deutsche Gesellschaft fürInternationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Sector Project on Rural Development

In cooperation with the Regional Development and Local Governance Working Group (ReKomEnt)

Registered officesBonn and Eschborn, Germany

Friedrich-Ebert Allee 4053113 Bonn, GermanyT +49 228 4460-0F +49 228 4460-1766

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Edited by:Jan Sass, GFA Hamburg & Caroline Schäfer, GIZ Eschborn

Design:Jeanette Geppert, www.jeanette-geppert.de

GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication.

Eschborn, June 2012

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Mexico © Nataliya Hora - Fotolia.com

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Imprint

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1 PREFACE

2 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Definition of a Green Economy 2.2 Development Perspective and Development Framework 2.3 Services and Products of German Development Cooperation 2.4 Priority Areas of Technical Cooperation

3 CASE STUDIES 3.1 Economic Development and Trade 3.1.1 Context and Core Elements 3.1.2 Capacity Building for Biotrade in Namibia, Peru and Nepal 3.1.3 Development of a Common Regional Agricultural Policy, Caribbean 3.1.4 Promotion of Tourism and Conservation of Natural Resources, Egypt 3.1.5 Promotion of Ecotourism as a Contribution to Local Economic Development, Laos 3.2 Agricultural Development 3.2.1 Context and Core Elements 3.2.2 Reduction of Greenhouse Gases and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Kenyan Coffee Sector, Kenya 3.2.3 Promotion of Organic Farming, Serbia 3.2.4 Promotion of Agricultural Value Chains, Burkina Faso 3.3 Management of Natural Resources 3.3.1 Context and Core Elements 3.3.2 Participatory Forest Management, Ethiopia 3.3.3 Environmentally sound Agriculture and Forestry in the German- Malagasy Environmental Programme, Madagascar 3.3.4 Management of Forestry, Fishery and Land Resources in the German- Chadian Programme for Decentralized Rural Development 3.3.5 Rehabilitation and Re-development of Mining Areas, Mexico 3.4 Climate Protection and Urban Development 3.4.1 Context and Core Elements 3.4.2 German Climate Protection Programme: Agriculture, Forestry and Related Sectors, ASEAN 3.4.3 Promotion of Cost-Effective and Environmentally Appropriate Technologies for Social Infrastructure and Housing Construction in Rural Regions, Mozambique 3.4.4 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Housing Construction, Mexico

4 LINKS TO THE PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

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Content

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The Regional Development and Local Governance working group (ReKomEnt) sees itself as a professional forum for regional and local development approaches in German de-velopment cooperation. Experts from the private consulting sector and government-led international cooperation con-tribute their practical experience from actual projects to the working group. They pick up on and discuss new approaches in regional and municipal development, and put forward proposals as to how these can contribute to improving the overall effectiveness of German development cooperation.

The common understanding of the working group’s member companies is that self-reliant regional and local develop-ment is particularly important, especially in this age of globalisation. Municipalities and ‘regions’ in developing and transition countries currently face a two-fold challenge. Firstly there is the risk that local and regional levels will be dominated by overarching state and global structures unless they have strong, independent management functions and the corresponding capacities at their disposal. Secondly, regions today are in a state of heightened competition with each other – especially economic competition. The work-ing group considers that municipal and regional governance and development should take equal account of the politi-cal, economic, social and environmental dimensions. The foundation for this is the involvement of everyone, including disadvantaged social groups, with the objective of sharing in the region’s potentials and in relevant decisions. To this effect, process design relies on concerted action by a variety of actors. These comprise civil society, the private sector and intermediary organisations, as well as government actors and administrative units at various levels.

A green economy promotes development that leads to improved standards of living and social equity while at the same time significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological impoverishment. Systematic consideration of the many years of experience available in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, resource-efficient production technologies and organic farming is a hallmark of German development cooperation. The members of ReKomEnt are equally active in the continuing refinement of relevant promotion approaches and the transfer of knowledge and technology to developing and transition countries. The ReKomEnt working group therefore also sees itself as a platform for exchanging views on advisory approaches, experiences in implementation and results achieved in German and European development cooperation in relation to a green economy.

This brochure describes the areas of activity and presents a selection of relevant case studies from German development cooperation. These were chosen from the range of ReKomEnt member companies’ work around the world and are divided into four areas: economic development and trade, agricultural development, management of natural resources, and climate protection and urban development. It is in the common interest of the working group to share the experiences available to us, disseminate successful advisory approaches and continue development of the underlying approaches as part of joint knowledge management.

The member companies of the ReKomEnt working group

01 PREFACE

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2.1 Definition of a green economy

A green economy is an economy oriented towards the prin-ciples of ecological sustainability, economic profitability and social inclusion. The term is mainly used in the context of international discourse on sustainability, where it expands on the concept of sustainable development.

The idea of the ‘green economy’ is closely related to that of the ‘Green New Deal’, which is where it originated to some extent, and has now largely replaced the latter as the key concept in the international debate. In substantive terms, the core concepts of the green economy can primarily be traced back to the school of ecological modernisation that emerged in the 1980s. At its heart is a manner of pursuing economic affairs that focuses on people’s development opportunities in their respective economic, ecological and social contexts and safeguards social equity, while at the same time signifi-cantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. Accordingly, in its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive. In a green economy, public and private investments are directed above all at measures that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and environmental pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The urgent need for reappraising economic practices and adopting a new direction towards a green economy first became apparent in the industrialised countries, which have had longer to consider environmental impacts such as climate change and loss of biodiversity. Industrialised countries therefore have a key role to play in developing and implementing alternative pathways and cooperating with developing countries to achieve a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty reduction.

2.2 Development perspective and development framework

The BMZ information brochure ‘Green Economy’, published in 2011, draws attention to the roots of the green economy debate from the 1970s, when the Club of Rome addressed the issue of the limits to growth, even at a time of economic prosperity. The resultant critique of the concept of growth led to the demand that economic systems should be designed to be ecologically sustainable and conserve natural resources, while also being socially fair. This fundamental principle of sustainability was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, although this did not result in a true shift away from the conventional development pathway. In the meantime it has been generally recognised that natural resources are finite. It is becoming increasingly clear that the patterns of consumption and production in industrialised countries and their emulation around the world are a threat to the livelihoods of current and future generations, and to their scope for action. The debate about the green economy draws its strength from this urgent need for change. For de-veloping countries, economic growth is the only way out of poverty. The objective therefore must be to decouple growth from resource consumption. This calls for new technolo-gies, but also for a re-examination of previous development patterns.

In a green economy, resource efficiency, climate change miti-gation, environmental protection and social fairness are all interlinked and become a measure of economic activity. The challenge lies in enabling growth while consuming as few natural resources as possible and producing as few emissions as possible. Innovative technologies and solutions, for exam-ple for producing energy or building intelligent infrastruc-ture, contribute just as much as changing behaviour patterns among producers and consumers. It is incumbent upon the respective states and governments to create the appropriate conditions in collaboration with the private sector and civil society.

02 INTRODUCTION

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At a meeting of the OECD Council in June 2009, 40 minis-ters called for the development of a green growth strategy in order to bring about an economic revival through ecologi-cally and socially sustainable economic growth in the wake of the global financial crisis. The OECD and its committees are meant to prioritise support for green growth policies in their work. Measures undertaken by both members and non-members of the OECD are analysed for the purposes of the strategy itself.

Apart from the OECD, UN organisations in particular have also seized upon the concept. A number of UN organisations addressed the issue of the green economy in a joint declara-tion (2009). Since the end of 2008, UNEP has grouped its approaches under the title of Global Green New Deal/Green Economy Initiative. The United Nations Economic and So-cial Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) was mandated to disseminate the green growth approach in Asia even before that, in 2005. In December 2009 the United Nations decided that an international conference would be held on the 20th anniversary of the UNCED (1992 in Rio de Janeiro). The 2012 conference will be convened in Rio de Janeiro once again. One of the main themes to be debated there will be the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty reduction.

The EU Commission does not explicitly use the term ‘green economy’ in its Recovery Plan of 2008, but it does refer to the need to move towards an economy with reduced CO2 emissions, investment in environmentally friendly technolo-gies, boosting energy efficiency, and the potential for ‘green jobs’.

German development cooperation’s Spotlight of the Year for 2011, ‘Responsible economic action – sustainable develop-ment: New ways forward for national economies?’ enabled it to present its expertise in a whole variety of areas in the run-up to Rio+20. These include alternative energy sources and innovative approaches to environmental protection and climate change, intelligent infrastructures, sustainable agri-culture, the provision of advisory services to governments on implementing relevant legislation, cooperation with private enterprises in relation to environmental standards and cor-porate social responsibility, as well as awareness-raising and educational measures in civil society.

2.3 Services and products of German development cooperation

Economic development is necessary, but not sufficient, for reducing poverty and improving people’s living condi-tions. Up to now, economic growth and industrialisation are still almost always accompanied by rising rates of resource consumption and considerable impacts on the environment and the climate. Even today, the global consumption of resources exceeds their capacity for regeneration. The same is true of the burden on the environment and ecosystems from wastes, pollutants and emissions. Patterns of consump-tion and production in industrialised countries and their emulation around the world are a threat to the livelihoods of current and future generations, and to their scope for action. Poorer segments of the population in developing countries are particularly vulnerable to further restriction of access to vital resources. The international community is confronted with huge challenges. These call for new, environmentally compatible and climate-friendly development pathways, but at the same time also socially sound economic systems that generate employment and income across a broad base and thus contribute to poverty reduction.

green economy

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To render the concept of green economy usable for devel-opment cooperation, it makes sense to establish a shared understanding within German development cooperation.

In the course of the financial crisis and environmental and climate crisis, fundamental critics of growth have also been prominent in expressing their opinions. The arguments they present against a general orientation towards growth should be given appropriate consideration. Established ecological research, as represented by the IPCC, for example, points to clear ecological limits. It can be assumed that there are also limits to economic growth, although these can be extended by technological progress. For that to be the case, though, wide-ranging technological innovations must be available in good time.

The main driving force behind the current battle for new and ecologically sustainable economic systems is climate change: if we are to prevent average global temperatures from rising by more than two degrees this century, great efforts are required from the industrialised countries – but also from emerging economies and anchor countries. The need to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions presents international cooperation with enormous challenges.

The efforts necessary for promoting low-carbon develop-ment not only demand fair burden-sharing between richer and poorer countries, they also have to produce social and economic improvements (‘co-benefits’). Although there are convincing instances of such win-win strategies at the microeconomic level, for example approaches aimed at improving energy and resource efficiency, there is a lack of coherent macroeconomic strategies.

International cooperation faces the task of developing ef-fective approaches that enable partner countries to pursue an ecologically sustainable, low-greenhouse gas develop-ment pathway across a broad front. With this aim in mind, cooperative projects are being implemented in many parts of the world: technical and financial cooperation initiatives are collaborating to achieve common objectives in conjunction with their partners.

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2.4 Priority areas of technical cooperation

In supporting developing and emerging countries, GIZ builds on extensive experience and focuses on the following methodological approaches.

Development cooperation strives to achieve tailored solu-tions that take the needs of each partner country into ac-count while simultaneously supporting the implementation of international agreements and agreed goals.

A green economy is seen as a cross-sectoral challenge that can only successfully be addressed on a multidisciplinary basis – i.e. by mobilising know-how and best practices from a range of specialist fields. It is essential to find integrated solutions that combine expert knowledge from a variety of areas: economic development and employment promo-tion, good governance, agriculture, water, energy, transport, climate, and environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources.

In the measures that it implements, GIZ pursues a multi-level approach that effectively links policy advice and the shaping of political and economic frameworks with practical realisation and specific, verifiable results at the local level.

It promotes dialogue between the relevant actors operating on behalf of the state, the private sector and civil soci-ety, with the aim of elaborating joint, viable strategies for solutions and mobilising specific competences in favour of sustainable development.

GIZ also actively promotes partnerships with the private sector. Ecological structural change in the direction of a green economy not only requires entrepreneurial spirit and commitment, it also offers great opportunities for private-sector involvement within the framework of international cooperation.

Programmes promoting a green economy and green growth in partner countries are planned and implemented to suit the specific situation. They comprise widely differing instru-ments and approaches depending on the needs and priorities in each case, as set out in the following.

Frameworks for a green economy•Strategy development and policy advice: Partner countries

receive advice, according to their needs, on strategies for ecologically sustainable economic action and low-emission development as well as on practical implementation at the national or regional level.

•Mainstreaming: The embedding of the idea of a green economy is supported in all relevant policy areas and strategies at local, national, regional and global level, with the aid of appropriate instruments such as strategic envi-ronmental assessments (SEAs), environmental and climate assessments, social impact assessments, eco-standards, social standards and green procurement.

•Sustainable fiscal policy: The underlying economic conditions are crucial to success. GIZ offers advice on ecological tax reform and financial reform, incentive systems and the socially acceptable reduction of ecologi-cally harmful subsidies.

•Green finance: The key approaches are the establishment of carbon markets and the introduction of innovative financial and insurance products (e.g. index-based weather insurance policies).

Capacity development•Institutional capacities: The point here is not merely

strengthening key actors for the green economy, green growth and low-carbon development, but also establishing inter-institutional cooperation and appropriate decision-making and implementing mechanisms.

•Human resources and green jobs: The range extends from building the capacity of decision-makers and intermediar-ies, including as part of programmes and international training, to the optimisation of vocational training systems with a view to creating new, environment-related employ-ment opportunities.

•Innovation and technology: The aim is to enable devel-oping and emerging countries to play an active part in shaping the transfer and adaptation of technologies that are environmentally sound, climate-friendly and conserve resources. GIZ promotes innovation systems, competence centres and advisory structures.

The green economy in key sectors•Sustainable economic development: Resource conserva-

tion and environmental curricula in vocational training, promotion of sustainable value chains and products, and corporate social responsibility.

•Resource-efficient economy: Profitable environmental management, sustainable industrial park development; sector strategies on greenhouse gas reduction and increas-ing resource efficiency.

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•Sustainable agriculture: Sustainable use of resources in agriculture, including adaptation to climate change and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

•Biodiversity and forestry: Sustainable forestry, preserva-tion of biodiversity, payment for environmental services from ecosystems, access and benefit sharing, development through sustainable tourism.

•Sustainable energy and transport systems: Renewable energy (including enabling conditions, energy feed-in law, etc.), energy efficiency and sustainable mobility.

•Water, wastewater, solid waste: Efficient water use and water strategies, closed-cycle models in wastewater and solid waste management, waste and wastewater avoidance, and recovery of secondary raw materials.

•Green cities: Resource-efficient, environmentally sound and climate-conscious development of urban areas, ‘green buildings’ and ‘green cooling’ (climate-friendly cooling systems).

International cooperation faces the task of developing effective approaches that enable partner countries to pursue an ecologically sustainable, low-greenhouse gas development pathway across a broad front.

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03 CASE STUDIES

3.1 Economic development and trade

3.1.1 Context and core elements

The private sector is the principal actor in production, pro-cessing and trade throughout the world today. Integrating this sector into regional, national or international develop-ment strategies is the responsibility of governments at their various levels of authority. Their task is to create suitable conditions and the corresponding institutional capacities needed to promote and steer economic activity and trade at a national, regional and local level. This is where sustainable, ‘green’ economic and trade development can come into play. Other political and economic conditions must be in place to provide support: political stability, cross-sectoral coordina-tion and legal certainty are fundamental factors for investors and economic actors.

Especially in developing and emerging countries, rural areas play a crucial role in economic development. The key sectors that determine economic development in rural regions of many partner countries are:

•agriculture•forestry and timber industry•fishing industry•food industry•tourism•ecological services and to an increasing extent•energy generation.

The instruments for economic development in rural areas in line with the principles of a green economy are aimed at strengthening future-oriented, resource-efficient and high value-added small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

A green economy takes account of the long-term preserva-tion of natural resources as an additional core element, sup-plementing the generally recognised key factors of economic development. As a cross-cutting theme, a green economy above all calls for the design of legal and normative frame-works and the creation of incentive systems and institutional capacities, the improvement of market mechanisms and the development and marketing of innovative products and services.

The key fields in which development cooperation interven-tions can promote economic development and trade in rural areas in pursuit of a green economy are outlined below.

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INNOVATION:

• Initiation of the development of new, marketable products and the organisation of environmentally sound ‘green’ value chains and supply chains. Delivery flexibility, production capacities and storage capacities are also important in providing the critical mass in procurement marketing

• Support for technical advances and technology transfer to boost productivity• Involvement of the private sector in designing, planning and financing research and development programmes.•Measures to increase resource efficiency and adapt to climate change/avoid the impacts of climate change, as

well as assess vulnerability

INSTITUTIONAl cAPAcITy BUIlDING:

• Institutional reorientation by promoting intersectoral cooperation processes, public-private partnerships and alliances to foster sustainable development approaches

• Support for establishing regulatory mechanisms as well as promotion and incentive systems (including PPP, PES, appropriate licensing regulations, tax concessions, ...)

• Reorientation of advisory services on agriculture/forestry and other sectors

SEcTORAl AND cROSS-SEcTORAl cOORDINATION AND cOOPERATION:

FINANcING:

MARKETING:

• Building and promotion of regional markets, including in tourism• Expansion of quality assurance systems and introduction of specific ‘green standards’ (fair trade, GAP),

internationally recognised eco-labels and certifications (FSC, COC), for example for bulk buyers such as hotels and supermarkets

• Promotion of regional agricultural products, product and brand development, and communication• Building of market information systems• Improved market research and competitor benchmarking

• Strengthening of cooperatives and producer associations• Identification and promotion of potential synergies between different sectors (e.g. economy – transport, economy –

education, tourism – nature conservation – agriculture – health, ...)• Strengthening of strategic alliances to improve the value creation of regional and local economic agents in

production, processing, trade and export•Harmonisation of relevant sector policies, coordination of sector programmes

• Development of credit programmes and finance packages with banks and financing institutions

The member companies of the ReKomEnt working group implement a broad range of economic and trade promotion measures. The guiding principle behind these is economic development focused on sustainability, in essence the notion of a green economy.

The examples in the following clearly illustrate the variety of conceptual approaches adopted by the German consult-ing sector in this priority area of development cooperation, and the experience gained.

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3.1.4

Promotion du tourisme avec protection des ressources, Égypte Égypte

Innovative approaches to business, investment and trade policy are necessary if we are to succeed in meeting the challenges of fighting poverty, unemployment and the over-exploitation of natural resources associated with the loss of biodiversity and the rapid degradation of ecosystems. Biotrade, or the trade in biodiversity products, presents an opportunity to create jobs, generate growth and reduce poverty while at the same time protecting biodiversity and ecosystems. Biodiversity products are described as products that are a direct result of biodiversity (such as wild herbs) and those which require adequate species diversity to flour-ish or which increase biological diversity as a consequence of particular farming practices. Biotrade thus contributes to the establishment of a responsible green economy.

One challenge is to coordinate trade policy and environmen-tal policy in the countries concerned – but also at interna-tional level – in such a way that trade supports the reori-entation of economic development in the direction of an ecologically sustainable economic model and does not lead to a reduction in biodiversity and environmental harm.

The potential of biotrade is not harnessed in the partner countries for a variety of reasons. The opportunities available are often underestimated, quality standards relating to the environment, health or safety are not observed – either out of ignorance or due to a lack of capabilities – and unfavour-able political conditions make it unattractive to invest in the biodiversity sector. Furthermore, the countries lack the ca-pability to position themselves in international negotiations such as at the World Trade Organization on trade-related in-tellectual property rights or in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits (ABS).

In the period from 2009 to 2011 the project pursued the objective of strengthening capacity for trade in biodiver-sity products in three countries: Namibia, Peru and Nepal. Working on behalf of BMZ, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) provided advisory services in three components:

1. Generating knowledge for negotiations and implementation of technical standards and regulations 2. Integration of considerations of biodiversity into national development strategies and policies 3. Bringing together the relevant stakeholders in all three countries

» Results Making better use of the economic opportunities presented by biotrade helps to create jobs and livelihoods for the rural population and thereby reduce poverty. At the same time, the sustainable use of biodiversity helps to ensure its preservation. By disseminating the project results in cooperation with the UNEP-UNCTAD CBTF, the project generates a leverage effect beyond these three countries, thus also strengthening the negotiation capacities of other actors in this field.

3.1.2

Capacity building for biotrade, in Namibia, Peru and Nepal NepalPeruNamibia

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3.1.5

Promotion de l’écotourisme comme contribution au développement économique local, Laos Laos

The sustainable development of the agricultural sector in the Caribbean is meant to take into account the possibility for development open to future generations. In particular, the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable practices in all phases of the value chain, i.e. in both agricultural produc-tion and agribusiness, is to ensure that the region’s natural resources are managed in a sustainable manner. The agricul-tural policy is linked to the draft CARICOM energy policy.

The Common Caribbean Community AgricuItural Policy (CCAP) was drawn up in a participatory process with the 15 member states: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Ja-maica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

As part of a consultation service provided by experts from the ICON-INSTITUTE in 2010 and financed by the European Commission, existing draft agricultural policies were examined, the content of a future CCAP was discussed with representatives and technical staff from agricultural ministries and then developed in greater depth with repre-sentatives of the farming and food industries, before being consolidated through interviews and observations in the field. The first draft of the CCAP was revised at a workshop held with representatives of the member states.

The CARICOM Community Agricultural Policy is founded on five pillars:

1. Food security 2. Agricultural trade/establishment of value chains 3. Sustainable natural resource management 4. Modernisation of rural areas and programmes for youth 5. A modern agricultural knowledge management and information system

The agreed content for the third component, sustainable natural resource management, comprises the protection and effective management of soil, air and water, adaptation to climate change, carbon mapping and the optimisation of natural and renewable energy sources for agriculture (solar, wind, seawater energy, biofuels, etc.). In addition, particular importance is attached to the preservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of biological resources, optimum land management and organic farming.

Within the scope of sustainable natural resource manage-ment, special priority is granted to forestry and fisheries:

•Forest management includes the management and protec-tion of forest areas, afforestation and the development of local forest management, promotion of the cultivation of medicinal plants and other non-timber products, the management of water catchment areas and the protection of wetlands.

•Fisheries management serves the purpose of coastal protec-tion while at the same time supporting regional fisherfolk.

3.1.3

Development of a common regional agricultural policy, Caribbean Caribbean

» Results The agricultural policy document serves as a guide for all member states of CARICOM. It was possible to create a common denominator from which future programmes for development of the agriculture sector can be derived. All decisions in this connection will be based on sustainable development.

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With the objective of raising environmental standards and promoting the competitiveness of the Egyptian hotel sector, the principal actors in Egypt’s hotel sector joined together to form a development partnership under the auspices of a public-private partnership (PPP) programme funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The project, ‘Sustainable hotels and tourism destinations in Egypt/Improvement of the environmental performance and competitiveness of the Egyptian hotel industry 2009–2012 (the Green Star Hotel Initiative)’, was developed and coordinated by AGEG Consultants. Its partner institutions are Orascom Hotels and Development, Travco Group, Jaz Hotels, TUI AG and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.

In a participatory process at the pilot destination el Gouna, local and national stakeholders, together with international experts and organisations, devised an initial pilot model for a national eco-certification system for Egypt’s hotel sector. The environmental criteria were drawn up on the basis of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria put forward by UNEP, and were assigned indicators, criteria and benchmarks to suit conditions in Egypt (infrastructure, climate, supply situa-tion, etc.).

Following the successful implementation in 49 hotel com-plexes at the pilot destinations of El Gouna, Taba Heights, Taba, Madinat Makadi, Madinat Coraya, Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh, the programme is due to be expanded to further destinations on the Red Sea by the end of 2012 and as many as 75 hotels are set to join the Green Star Hotel Initiative. Implementation involves a capacity building and training process for the hotels. Work is also currently in progress on

institutional mainstreaming of the Green Star Hotel Initia-tive in the Egyptian tourism sector. An Egyptian organisa-tion is expected to take over the Green Star Hotel Initiative in 2012 and then continue to run it in the long term. Before that, the Green Star Hotel instruments will be further pro-fessionalised, a web-based knowledge centre will be set up and the existing audit and certification system will be further refined. The programme is backed up by a capacity building programme for educating local auditors and trainers.

» Results The project creates the conditions for institutionalising the Green Star Hotel Initiative at national level. Fifty-eight hotels are presently undergoing the certification process; they have reduced their water and energy consumption by up to 25% and introduced EM systems. More than 1,000 hotel employees have already been trained, and at least 75 hotels at 10 pilot destinations are being certified.

3.1.4

Promotion of tourism and conservation of natural resources, Egypt Egypt

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3.1.5

Promotion of ecotourism as a contribution to local economic development, Laos

The development programme ‘Integrated rural develop-ment in mountainous areas in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’ focuses on pro-poor economic development and the sustainable use of natural resources. The objective of the programme is the sustainable improvement of the economic and social conditions of the population in the rural moun-tain regions of the country. It combines institution building, policy dialogue and donor dialogue with the promotion of the local private sector, sustainable management of natural resources, integrated development planning and the expan-sion of selected services.

The programme promotes local economic development through the building of value chains of community-based ecotourism products. The promotion strategy emphasises the inclusion of minorities and cultural considerations and takes the interests and economic potential of women in the moun-tain regions into account. The partner organisation is the provincial government of Luang Namtha; the programme is coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The National Tourism Administration is responsible for promoting tourism.

The provision of targeted advisory services by a team of experts from IP Consult in the period 2009–2011 strength-ened regional marketing of the Luang Namtha location in the Mekong region by local planning and tourism authori-ties. The potential of locations in the province of Luang Namtha is brought to the attention of prospective inves-tors via the executing agency’s website. The programme also helps the executing agency in networking existing platforms, such as the provincial tourism office’s website. Training schemes for tourist services are aimed at integrat-ing as many households as possible into tourism activities. Capacity building for the tourism industry in the province improves the professionalism of the providers and the qual-ity of provision, and supports the marketing of small local tourist enterprises. Members of the local village population

are trained to become state-certified tourist guides. To round off the strategy, a variety of PR materials are being developed and participation in trade fairs is encouraged.

» Results The advisory services have led to the integration of ad-ditional local village groups into the tourism value chains and significantly increased the incomes of the households concerned. Thanks to growing awareness of the value of biodiversity and intact ecosystems for sustainable tourism, the number of households contravening land use regula-tions has fallen by 63%. Ethnic minorities are committed to preserving cultural heritage and traditions. The majority of village communities now earn additional income from traditional handicrafts and cultural performances. Small local tourist companies trained in sustainability use the participatory land use plans and socio-economic develop-ment plans as a basis for steering their investment measures in a sustainable direction.

Laos

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3.2 Agricultural development 3.2.1 Context and core elements

Of the two billion poorest people in the world, 75% live in rural areas: poverty continues to have a rural face. Poverty in rural areas is not expressed merely by low incomes. People often lack access to clean drinking water, for example, or to educational opportunities, health services and government support. Poverty has a negative impact on social relation-ships and it poses a threat to people through environmental risks: poverty takes many forms. Crises and conflicts often have particularly severe and persistent impacts in rural regions.

To bring about an improvement in people’s living conditions in the long term, it is necessary to secure access to land and water and put in place adequate infrastructure. This also includes health care and educational opportunities, as well as access to markets and financial services appropriate to local needs, which is essential for economic activity.

Agricultural development contributes to better nutritional security and health in developing countries and to the sustainable management of natural resources. It also helps generate income and jobs, and is therefore a fundamental prerequisite for successful economic development. Another important precondition is gender equality because women and girls in particular have limited opportunities to partici-pate in political decision-making.

German development cooperation uses tried and tested instruments in rural development. These include participa-tory situation analysis, spatial planning and results- and impact-oriented monitoring processes. German develop-ment cooperation helps in moderating negotiation processes, promoting cross-sectoral dialogues between state and civil society and supporting the self-organisation of civil society groups. We attach particular importance to the principle of not disadvantaging any groups – i.e. ‘do no harm’.

One area of intervention is the provision of advisory services in agricultural and rural development policy in order to improve access to land, water, credit and training for the poor rural population. This work is based on many years of experience, extensive know-how and regionally appropriate strategies to secure the right to food in the long term and to make rural development a true driver of economic upswing.

Another important area of intervention is the conservation of natural resources: soil, water, vegetation and biodiversity. The loss and destruction of natural resources is advancing in many developing countries, with a devastating effect on the living conditions of the rural population. The result is a vicious circle of poverty and environmental degradation, which not only impedes local development but also has dramatic global repercussions.

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Agriculture is the most important form of using these re-sources. It is our aim to safeguard natural resources through sustainable management so that development opportuni-ties for rural areas are preserved in the future. The crucial element in this is achieving a balance between maximising the productivity of natural resources while simultaneously ensuring their conservation.

In most rural regions of developing countries, agriculture remains the most important engine of local development. As a result of globalisation, but also rising demand on national markets, new potential is being generated for rural areas and agriculture, as well as certain challenges.

Throughout the world, consumers have ever-increasing expectations of the quality of production processes and the resultant products. Social factors, environmental protection and fair trade are as important to them as food safety. Legal frameworks in producer countries are often inadequate, and there is a lack of knowledge of how to attain and comply with international standards. These standards must be pre-vented from becoming barriers to participation in interna-tional trade.

The member companies of ReKomEnt have been contribut-ing to sustainable agricultural development in the partner countries of German development cooperation ever since its inception. In recent years, the group’s work has focussed on the following relevant areas: agricultural research and rural services, soil and land, food security, policy advice and governance, agricultural markets and agricultural trade, standards and the green economy, rural security systems, in-frastructure in rural areas, the sustainable use of biomass and agricultural production systems, value chains in agriculture, biodiversity and agriculture, water in agriculture and aquatic resources.

Collective experience in these fields makes the German consulting sector stand out as a highly capable partner for all issues relating to sustainable agricultural development.

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Coffee is susceptible to the impacts on growing conditions brought about by climate change. Consequently, global cof-fee production is already in decline even now, and in future it will even become more vulnerable.

In a three-year public-private partnership project (2008–2011), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Sangana Commodities Ltd. jointly supported the Kenyan coffee sector in adapting to climate change and developing means of avoiding green-house gas emissions. The aim was to devise a standardised approach for coffee producers.

Coffee producers in Kenya already adhere to the Code of Conduct drawn up by the 4C Association. An additional Climate Module has now been developed for the Code, focusing on the following elements: agricultural practices for adaptation and avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions, train-ing for producers and employees of processing companies, verification instruments, and a climate database. The appli-cation of the module was trialled with a producer group, the Baragwi Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd.

The module is targeted at four areas: an enabling environ-ment, the management of natural resources, soil and cultiva-tion management, and energy. The project applies leverage such as the identification of climate-friendly agricultural practices that are appropriate for adaptation to climate change, awareness-raising and training for farmers, and the establishment of a certified standard for coffee production that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The project also aims to make the approach transferrable to other crops (such as cotton and cocoa).

» Results The results of the PPP cover a wide range: an increase in the quality and quantity of the coffee harvest, higher incomes, a reduction in the vulnerability of coffee cultiva-tion systems to the effects of climate change, better access for coffee producers’ organisations to an international label related to the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions, and the availability of a pool of experts on climate change (mitigation and adaptation) who can be called upon to help with future projects.

3.2.2 Reduction of greenhouse gases and adaptation to climate change in the Kenyan coffee sector, Kenya Kenya

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Together with the Serbian partners, two sectors were chosen for support: organic farming and the establishment of struc-tures for the accreditation and certification of organic prod-ucts in conformance with EU requirements. The market for organic farming products has potential for growth in both Serbia and the EU and is considered to be relatively resistant to crises. The National Action Plan for Organic Agriculture from July 2009 is to be implemented within the context of the WBF project.

The ‘Promotion of organic farming in Serbia’ component, supported by experts from the AFC Consulting Group in 2010–2011, is based on a participatory process approach. The objective is to provide building blocks and incentives for the complementary build-up of primary production, processing and trade, market development, research, training and public relations work both at the political level and at all stages of the supply chain. This creates ideal conditions for ecological farming to grow to become a competitive branch of production.

As part of the Economic Development and Employment Promotion Programme (WBF) implemented by GIZ, the ‘Promotion of organic farming in Serbia’ project supports the development of organic farming as a sustainable produc-tion and marketing sector with potential for the future.

The partner institutions are the Serbian Ministry of Agricul-ture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management, the national association Serbia Organica and other stakeholders from the research and practice of organic farming (University of Novi Sad, the Green Network of Vojvodina, NGO Terras, Centre for Organic Agriculture, Extension Service of Vojvodina, Institute for Applied Research in Agriculture). The programme’s objective is a lasting improvement to the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the organic farming sector.

» Results Actors in the sector have already actively translated innova-tion potential into reality. An industry report produced by the project, giving a comprehensive, quantitative descrip-tion of the current state of development in the sector for the first time, serves as a planning and management instru-ment for the sector’s actors. Specially adapted curricula were developed for a university degree course at Bachelor level and were introduced in the winter semester of 2010–2011 when the course began. By the end of October, 28 extension officers were trained in specific topics relating to organic farming (e.g. the use of beneficial organisms in greenhouses, crop rotation, fertili-sation, etc.) and were able to utilise this knowledge in their practical work in 2011 for the first time. The national association Serbia Organica is better placed as an institution and successfully implements projects it acquires. The national funding for the expansion of organic farming in Serbia was significantly increased in 2011.

3.2.3

Promotion of organic farming, Serbia Serbia

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Agriculture and related branches of the economy offer the greatest development potential for the economy of Burkina Faso. Since 2007, the Government of Burkina Faso has therefore been pursuing a policy of diversifying agricultural production and strengthening the agricultural product processing sector. The basis for this is provided by increased value creation along the production chains, from primary production through to processing products ready for export. Soil is fundamental to production and has a key role to play in the performance of the value chains.

The ‘Promotion of agricultural value chains’ project provides producers with support to safeguard their cropland areas by taking erosion protection measures and to increase their pro-ductivity, as part of the ‘Agricultural development, Burkina Faso’ programme implemented by GIZ (2004–2016) on behalf of BMZ. The partner institution is the Burkina Faso Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Fisheries. The pro-gramme’s objective is to secure a sustainable increase in in-comes for the country’s rural population while also improv-ing their nutritional base. The programme contributes to the priority area strategy ‘Agriculture and sustainable resource management’ and to the implementation of national support measures for agriculture.

As part of the programme, a team of experts from GFA Consulting Group advises rural communities in selected water catchment areas on maintaining soil fertility and implementing water conservation measures. Contour stone embankments are being built and planted up together with the local population. The producers also receive training in appropriate cultivation techniques and are shown how to think in entrepreneurial terms in order to professionalise their farms, which is necessary for accessing new markets. The interventions target the eastern and south-western re-gions of the country. The target group comprises processing and marketing companies involved in the value chains for sesame seeds, cashew nuts and attiéké (cassava couscous).

3.2.4

Promotion of agricultural value chains, Burkina Faso Burkina Faso

In order to make conditions more efficient for agricultural production, processing and marketing, the programme supports dialogue between the ministries for agriculture, livestock, the environment and trade at central and regional level, between regional and municipal authorities, and be-tween business and professional associations, private service providers and export and marketing firms.

» Results The advisory services have already led to the creation of numerous small and micro-enterprises. The production figures for cassava and attiéké nearly doubled between 2007 and 2009. Sesame seed exports increased more than threefold, from 16,000 to 49,000 tonnes, while cashew nut exports amounted to 9,000 tonnes in 2009, twice as much as in 2008. The number of processing plants rose from three in 2008 to thirteen in 2009. The quantity of locally produced attiéké was 4,000 tonnes in 2009, an increase of over 80% in comparison to 2007. More than 5,000 people, half of them women, have received training in erosion protection techniques in water catchment areas. Since 2004, an area of almost 1,000 hectares has been placed under protection.

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Agricultural development contributes to better nutritional security and health in developing countries and to the sustainable management of natural resources.

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3.3 Management of natural resources

3.3.1 Context and core elements

Natural resources, in particular soil, water, animal and plant diversity, along with renewable energy sources, ecosystem services and climate services are of fundamental importance for the structure and functioning of agricultural systems and for the social and ecological sustainability of life on Earth.

Many developing countries are situated in regions that are particularly rich in biodiversity. Complex, intact ecosystems are especially vital to the livelihoods of poor people, often forming their sole source of income, and are essential for the long-term provision of drinking water, food, medicines and energy. Many products can only be obtained from biological resources. At the same time, poverty often forces people to over-exploit and destroy natural resources that are the basis of their existence.

Each year, roughly 150,000 km2 of rainforest around the world are destroyed by logging or agricultural use – more than half the total area of Germany. Rainforests are home to some 90% of all flora and fauna species on Earth. Since the mid-19th century, about 75% of crop diversity has been lost. This loss of genetic diversity constitutes a huge ecological and economic loss, too.

Development cooperation supports developing countries in developing and implementing sustainable strategies for protecting and utilising their natural resources and in shaping the international dialogue on the conservation of biodiversity in relation to the equitable sharing of benefits. Sustainable resource management and resource conserva-tion can make an effective contribution to mitigating the negative impacts of climate change, such as advanced land degradation (desertification). The challenge for development cooperation lies in achieving a balance between environmen-tal, social and economic interests – especially with poverty reduction in mind.

A rethink towards a more holistic approach has led to the management of natural resources being linked with food security, a reliable supply of nutrients and adequate resource regeneration. Advancement in agriculture means more than just a one-sided increase in productivity. Nature conser-vation is not achieved by excluding people but rather by including the local population in integrative conservation and utilisation strategies, as well as by creating alternative sources of income and raising a positive awareness of nature conservation issues.

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A context-specific approach should be the preferred option in order to do justice to the complexity of different eco-logical systems, different cultures and different economic systems. Wherever knowledge management and transfer promote the exchange of local knowledge and international best practices, valuable synergies can arise and methods of resource management can be optimised, or alternative forms of use can be devised. The rediscovery of the importance of regional economic and value creation cycles is not merely a forward-looking strategy for sustainable resource manage-ment, but also a sensible plan for the revival and develop-ment of rural areas.

German development cooperation also constitutes active economic policy to the extent that it aims to create meaning-ful environmental policy incentives for sustainable economic structures and a more equitable distribution of resources. It supports international environmental policy by work-ing to promote compliance with international agreements and conventions on the conservation of natural resources. Development policy within the context of a green economy is also education policy: it promotes knowledge transfer and strengthens the role of civil society actors in participatory and democratic structures.

The member companies of the ReKomEnt working group have been involved in the field of managing natural resourc-es for many years and can call on valuable experience in the practical implementation of sustainable and economically viable schemes to harness natural resources, participatory forest management, sustainable management of protected areas, political dialogue on environmental protection and resources conservation, the reclamation and revitalisation of mining areas, and environmental management.

The vast experience gained by German development coop-eration actors in working together in dealing with partners in developing countries and in developing methods and instruments puts them in a good position to address the ever more complex challenges surrounding the environment, resources and society to suit each specific context.

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Ethiopia is characterised by considerable population pressure on the shrinking area of cultivable land and massive defor-estation. This is leading to the loss of water sources, severe erosion problems and degradation. The ‘Participatory forest management’ project is a component of the GIZ-KfW Sustainable Land Management Programme (SLMP) financed from the tropical forest reserve.

Participatory forest management helps to avoid deforesta-tion and contributes to the reforestation of degraded areas, and plays a key role in efforts to mitigate climate change. The centrepiece of participatory forest management is the active involvement of local populations in protecting and managing the forest, reforestation and making sustainable use of the resources. Another important element, apart from the sustainable use of timber, is the promotion of income-generating measures from non-timber products.

The project aims to expand over a wider geographical area and to continue the development and adaptation of PFM to new conditions. At the same time the project focuses on capacity building and mainstreaming PFM within the parastatal partner organisation, Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWE).

Between 2009 and 2011, a team of experts from GITEC Consult supported the partner institution in raising aware-ness (including study trips and active public relations work) and advising rural communities on planning and imple-menting the innovative approach.

The work carried out with the communities involves divid-ing the forest up into parcels, carrying out a forest inventory and drawing up management plans and internal rules of use. A contract between the forest group and the forestry authorities formalises joint management, rights and obliga-tions, the removal of forest products and profit sharing. The communities are strengthened as institutions through the formation of organised forest groups and cooperatives.

Where previously the local people had been excluded from using state-owned forests and had been penalised for non-compliance, they are now recognised as being true partners. As a complementary measure they receive advice on the use of forest-based income sources from non-timber products and services, including beekeeping, fruit growing, trophy hunting and ecotourism. Energy-saving stoves further reduce the stress on the forest, and promote the micro-economy by supporting local producers.

» Results The advisory services have contributed to increasing the area of forest managed on a participatory basis and to change attitudes in favour of the sustainable use and protection of the forest. The area under PFM almost doubled in the period between 2009 and 2011 (from 44,000 hectares to 82,000 hectares). Initial successes are being seen in the shape of higher levels of natural regeneration of the forest and increasing biodiversity. Improved beekeeping, shares of profits from trophy hunting, the sale of grass and the dissemination of energy-saving stoves have helped to boost incomes by up to 30%. The forest groups have their own bank accounts. PFM is increasingly becoming a routine activity for trained PFM experts in the partner organisation. The project has achieved its goal of developing and disseminating PFM in the water catchment areas by the end of the project term.

3.3.2

Participatory forest management, Ethiopia Ethiopia

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In some parts of Madagascar, deforestation is causing drastic problems with erosion. Soil fertility on hillsides is decreas-ing, and in many cases the productive rice fields can no longer be irrigated. Consequently, less food is being pro-duced, which is jeopardising the supply of food to poor peo-ple. Furthermore, tree stocks are declining. Wood for fuel or building is becoming scarce. People are encroaching ever further into natural forests to meet their needs for wood, putting Madagascar’s unique biodiversity at risk.

A team of experts from AHT GROUP is implementing the erosion protection component of the German-Malagasy environmental programme (1998–2013) on behalf of KfW. The objective of the component is to protect water catch-ment areas and irrigated areas. To achieve this, it is introduc-ing improved land-use techniques and advising the farmers on putting them into practice. The approach is process-ori-ented, and is backing up the transition from inappropriate land management to sustainable management of the areas in question.

Best practices – conservation agriculture: The programme uses a mix of different land-use systems based on maize and dry-land rice in rotation with ground-covering legumes. These systems replicate the natural protection offered by the forest and protect the land against erosion. There is no need for tillage, whether with a plough or dibble. In addition, the legumes fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, soil fertility is increased, as is soil moisture, and the structure of the soil is improved. The management methods are cost-effective and appropriate to local circumstances. Farmers using these tech-niques save time, and in the medium term increase yields on this land – without the use of costly fertiliser.

Best practices – energy forest planting: Farmers are advised on creating plantations with fast-growing trees. Previously fallow ground is thus put to valuable use, and subsequently belongs to the farmers who manage it. After a preparatory

period of five years, timber can then be harvested every year to produce charcoal. A large number of households earn additional income as a result. As well as afforestation, the project also promotes other processes in the value chain, including improved charcoal kiln technology to make more efficient use of the wood and improved stoves to burn the charcoal more economically.

Best practices – certification of land ownership: To give the land lasting protection, the project supports the certification of land titles for the farmers, who then have a long-term interest in what happens to their plot. Local authorities are given assistance in setting up and running real estate offices.

» Results Currently around 5,000 farmers are working with the techniques introduced by the project. As a result, about 33,000 hectares are now better protected. Roughly 2.5 million trees have been planted in the course of affores-tation measures. Illegal logging in neighbouring protected areas is being reduced, and consequently biodiversity is better preserved. The sequestration of CO2 in these areas contributes to climate change mitigation.

3.3.3

Environmentally sound agriculture and forestry in the German-Malagasy environmental programme, Madagascar Madagascar

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While the eastern parts of Chad are threatened by civil war, refugee migrations and extreme fluctuations in annual pre-cipitation that threaten the already fragile survival economy and food security, in the south-west of the country – better resourced in terms of its natural environment – population pressure and extensive cropping systems have led to defor-estation, over-fishing and the loss of biodiversity and soil fertility.

From 2003 to 2011, the KfW/GIZ cooperative programme for decentralised rural development (PDRD) increased the capacity of the population of eastern and south-western Chad, and their local organisations, to plan, organise and finance social and economic change in the interest of sustainable self-determined development of the programme zones. It was able to build on predecessor projects on the management of natural resources. Responsibility for overall coordination lay with Chad’s Ministry of Planning and GIZ, while KfW provided a decentralised development fund. On the ground, experts from ECO Consult and AFC Consult-ants International, together with development aid workers and partner experts, advised the cantonal and supra-local organisations. The advisory services covered local planning, operation of the infrastructure financed by financial coop-eration funds, local agreements on protection and use, and methods for the sustainable management of natural resourc-es such as fields, pastures, lakes and forests. The key results of the programme were these:

•59 cantons in the programme region and thus some 1.5 million people have a local development plan and cantonal development committees.

•328 schemes were implemented to expand social and economic infrastructure.

•84 sets of regulations on the protection and use of natural resources were drawn up for about 700,000 ha.

•About 3,000 farmers received training in sustainable plant and livestock production, the processing of products and the rational use of energy.

•Local agricultural value chains for onions and tomatoes were promoted, and improved seeds were introduced for maize, peanuts and rice.

» Results As well as strengthening self-help abilities, the programme also achieved measurable economic, social and environmen-tal results with the approaches it developed for the manage-ment of natural resources. In 2010, 23% of the land in the south-western region of Mayo Kebbi was effectively protected by local organiza-tions, enabling the tree savannah there to be preserved and the wildlife populations to recover. Sena Oura National Park was also established in 2010. In Mayo Kebbi the yields from freshwater fishery were more than doubled thanks to improved fisheries management, while at the same time the reproductive capacity of the stocks was maintained. Most of the farmers participating in the programme were able to boost their incomes as a result of those measures. The ratio of the number of inhabitants per health centre was improved and also school enrolment rates have increased sig-nificantly - in particular the rates of girls enroled - , also the number of pupils per classroom has fallen from 219 to 65, enabling almost all children to have a 9-month school year. In the eastern Ouaddai-Biltine region, over 40% higher grain yields are being obtained thanks to the erosion protec-tion embankments. Water spreading weirs help to make bet-ter use of valley floors, not only enabling grain to be grown but also permitting irrigated vegetable growing during the dry season; the irrigation potential will increase further as a result of gradual raising of the groundwater table. The approaches that were developed are now being contin-ued by Chad’s national food security programme, European Development Fund programmes or Swiss cooperation so the results will be further enhanced and the experience will be transferred to other regions.

3.3.4

Management of forestry, fishery and land resources in the German-Chadian programme for decentralised rural development

Chad

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Mining is one of the most important branches of industry in the state of Durango. Iron ore, for example, has been mined in Victoria de Durango since the middle of the 16th century. As a result of limited raw material deposits, local mining activities are restricted to a finite period of time. In order to make a positive contribution to sustainable development in the region, plans for the final phase of resource extraction and subsequent rehabilitation must be incorporated in the mining company’s strategy from the outset.

The PPP project to redevelop former mining sites was implemented by IAK Agrar Consulting from 2008 to 2010. Its aim was to open up prospects for the closing and subsequent exploitation of mining areas for mining industry administrators, companies and interest groups, as well as education and research institutions. The project was sup-ported by DEG. There were two partner companies in Germany: BioPlanta and G.U.B. AG. On the Mexican side, the Ministry of Economy, FIFOMI – the commission promoting cooperation between the mining industry and government administrative bodies – and national and inter-national mining enterprises participated in the project.

Three case studies (the iron ore mine Cerro de Mercado, the silver mine La Parrilla and a bentonite extraction site) were used to develop strategies for ecologically, socially and economically sustainable action in mining and the reinstate-ment of mining areas. These covered the following fields: avoidance of risks to health and the environment, tech-niques for securing and recultivating slag heaps and tailings, redevelopment and subsequent use of existing infrastructure, strategies for the re-integration of released employees, con-version of mining areas for post-use options (industrial and trading estates, forested areas, nature reserves and recreation areas) and conflict prevention.

Engineers, technical experts and decision-makers from poli-tics, associations and the private sector were given training in ecologically and socio-economically sustainable mining and environmental management in order to ensure that the initiated planning processes will continue in the long term and to enable them to develop solutions of their own. In Germany they were taken on study trips to Saxony to see specific examples of the rehabilitation of mining areas and sustainable management of contaminated sites, water resources and natural resources.

» Results A model rehabilitation was carried out on part of the former tailings at the La Parrilla mine run by the First Majestic mining company in Durango. The rehabilitation included soil improvement measures, afforestation and the creation of constructed wetlands to treat water from the mine and use the treated water to irrigate the reclaimed land. A computer-based property database was created for risk analysis and rehabilitation planning, and was trans-ferred to FIFOMI and the Durango municipal authority.

3.3.5

Rehabilitation and redevelopment of mining areas, Mexico Mexico

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3.4 Klimaschutz und Stadtentwicklung

3.4.1 Context and core elements

In 2007, approximately 3.3 billion more people were living in towns and cities than in rural areas (by 2030, 5 billion people will be urban dwellers). Asia and Africa are particu-larly affected by this trend. Smaller cities with fewer than half a million inhabitants will experience the fastest growth. Megacities of 10 million inhabitants or more will grow more slowly.

Sustainable urban development is a vital key to achieving international climate change targets. Increasing urbanisa-tion is noticeably intensifying the problem of greenhouse gas emissions and is adding to the strain on both urban popu-lations and the local environment. The principal cause of climate change is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and accounts for roughly 97% of emissions in Western industrialised countries. Another important gas that harms the climate is methane, which is formed in agriculture and forestry (in-cluding livestock rearing), urban landfill sites and wastewater treatment plants, as well as being released by the improper extraction, processing and use of fossil fuels, especially in cit-ies. Green spaces are rendered impermeable by the building of roads, industrial estates and housing, so they are no longer available for CO2 absorption. International efforts to combat climate change therefore have to be implemented in major population centres if they are to succeed.

German development cooperation is increasingly support-ing the establishment of integrated urban environmental management in order to plan local development in towns and cities in an environmentally sound and socially respon-sible manner and to preserve an intact environment. In this context, collaboration between development cooperation and the private sector is highly important, because otherwise it is impossible to achieve the internationally agreed climate change targets set out in the Kyoto Protocol. One crucial field of intervention is the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy in the industrial and transport sectors, but also in urban households in industrial, developing and emerging countries.

Another significant intervention is the support of the solid waste and wastewater sector. Municipalities in partner countries are assisted in redeveloping water and wastewater systems, for example, or in building new waterworks or sew-age treatment plants, as well as in training experts. Advisers help the authorities and waste management enterprises to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal. Public relations work raises awareness of the need for environmen-tally responsible behaviour among the population.

Climate change and urbanisation jeopardise the develop-ment potential of towns, cities and municipalities. In particular, the residents of informal settlements are inad-equately protected against climate-related disasters, which can contribute to social conflict.

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This is why German development cooperation helps partner countries to expand their own potential to adapt to climate change so that financial and technological support services can be utilised efficiently. The basis for this is good govern-ance, which incorporates all relevant actors, including the private sector and civil society actors, but also the systematic integration of action on climate change (mitigation and adaptation) into decision-making processes and the building of partnerships, for example through climate alliances.

The member companies of the ReKomEnt working group have worked on climate change and urban development issues for many years. Their services cover all relevant areas: policy advice, climate change in relation to agriculture, forestry and other sectors, rural financing programmes for adaptation to climate change, reduction of emissions, improving energy efficiency and using renewable energy in housing construction, sustainable urban development including the rehabilitation of historic centres and municipal development, the use of appropriate technologies for social infrastructure and housing construction, the elaboration of local climate scenarios to adapt to climate change, support for international centres for environmental technologies, and improvement of environmental management. This experi-ence makes the German consulting sector stand out as a competent partner for all climate-related issues.

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has ten member states. The programme, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammen-arbeit (GIZ) on behalf of BMZ during the period from 2010 to 2017, is intended to strengthen ASEAN’s capacity to develop regionally coordinated policies and strategies for sustainable agricultural and food industries and climate change mitigation, and to put these into practice.

Many ASEAN countries are among those most seriously affected by climate change anywhere in the world, particu-larly on account of their long coastlines or because they are islands. Some of the particularly forest-rich ASEAN member states (above all Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia) have high rates of deforestation and consequently are respon-sible for significant greenhouse gas emissions. The member states of ASEAN are also home to more than 20% of global biodiversity and roughly 35% of the world’s mangrove for-ests. The loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services increases the susceptibility of these countries to the consequences of climate change.

The Southeast Asian nations supply both their own do-mestic markets and to an increasing extent international markets with agricultural products, food and forest products. Growing quality expectations in domestic and international markets, increasing pressure on ever scarcer natural resourc-es, the impacts of climate change, rising food prices and widespread poverty in rural regions call for the agricultural, food and forestry sectors to be reoriented towards or have a more direct focus on ecological, economic and social sustain-ability criteria.

With the aid of the programme’s advisory services, ASEAN has adopted various strategies and initiatives aimed at ad-dressing these challenges. However, the association still does not have sufficient capacity to implement these effectively. It is the programme’s task to provide support in this connec-tion, and it focuses on five strands of intervention:

•policy advice

•implementation of sustainable agricultural and food industry models

•training

•financing of pilot measures at national level

•building a regional communications structure

» Results The aim is to improve the health of consumers and to pre-serve and expand biodiversity and the resultant functional-ity of ecosystems and environmental services. The levers for the approach described here are developing and implementing harmonised strategies and policies at national level on climate change and a sustainable agricul-tural and food industry, reducing the vulnerability of the rural population to the impacts of climate change, boost-ing agricultural productivity and the quality of agricultural products, and improving competitiveness on the interna-tional stage in particular.

3.4.2

German climate protection programme: agriculture, forestry and related sectors, ASEAN ASEAN

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The project is implemented as part of the national strategy for decentralised planning and financing. In the context of building a decentralised and modern state structure char-acterised by civic participation and the strengthening of civil society, among other things, one of the priorities is to disseminate appropriate technologies for social infrastruc-ture and housing construction across the country. The aims include reducing the dependency of rural regions on costly building materials such as steel and cement, minimising transport costs by using locally available building mate-rials, and consequently making better use of local eco-nomic potential. The project contributes to mainstreaming resource-efficient principles and instruments in the building standards for national, district and local planning at mu-nicipal level throughout the country in order to improve the conditions for socially and ecologically responsible economic activity.

Between 2007 and 2013, as part of a national decentralisa-tion strategy, experts from IP-Consult are providing the downstream administrative units and local government bodies in the priority provinces of Inhambane, Manica and Sofala with assistance to make efficient and transparent use of the resources available for social and economic develop-ment, with the active participation of the population. The partner institutions are the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MOPH) and the Ministry of Planning and Devel-opment (MPD).

» Results The project has developed and tested best practices for the use of appropriate resource-efficient, cost-effective, environmentally sound and climate-friendly technologies. These reduce the rural districts’ dependence on imported construction services, thereby stimulating the local econo-my, reducing building costs, improving housing construc-tion while using local materials, reducing emissions, and guaranteeing high standards of quality. By implementing training measures for small enterprises and craftsmen, the project helps to disseminate technolo-gies, build human resource capacity and create green jobs. The training of decision-makers in municipal administra-tions and building authorities mainstreams the resource-efficient and cost-effective building standards in planning, construction tendering and construction supervision. The national building and quality standards and the public tendering guidelines are more closely oriented to resource-efficient, environmentally sound and climate-friendly technologies. The national vocational education system receives impetus for the construction sector towards new, environment-related employment opportunities.

3.4.3

Promotion of cost-effective and environmentally appropriate technologies for social infrastructure and housing construction in rural regions, Mozambique Mozambique

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Energy generation and energy policy in Mexico are largely dominated by fossil fuels; in the medium term, however, stocks of these fuels are threatened with exhaustion. Apart from a few exceptions, Mexico’s energy sector is entirely state-organised; the price of electricity is set by the state and subsidised by budget funds. Unfavourable frameworks prevent the considerable potential for saving greenhouse gas emissions from being tapped to increase energy efficiency (EE) and the use of renewable energy (RE). This applies both to the energy sector itself and to energy-related issues in the buildings sector (core problem). The principal causes of this are found in the lack of clear policy guidelines, strate-gies and conducive legal and regulatory frameworks, the absence of support mechanisms and dissemination pro-grammes with significant involvement of the private sector, insufficient awareness, and a shortage of practical experience and training opportunities for the relevant actors.

The Sustainable Energy in Mexico programme implemented by GOPA Worldwide Consultants on behalf of GIZ (2009–2013) focuses on the following areas of activity:

•Shaping the political, legal and normative framework in the energy and buildings sectors and improving enforce-ment mechanisms

•Developing and introducing an evaluation and certifica-tion system for energy use in residential buildings, for example based on European approaches using energy performance certificates and labels for buildings

•Developing and implementing dissemination and pro-motion programmes for energy efficiency and renewable energy in the buildings sector and coordinating the various actors and initiatives

•Providing advisory services, training and international knowledge transfer for CONUEE (Comisión Nacional para el Uso Eficiente de la Energía), SENER (Ministry of Energy), CONAVI (Comisión Nacional de Vivienda)

•INFONAVIT (Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores), FIDE (trust fund for the efficient use of electric energy) and various associations

•Creating training courses, for example for energy advisers, technicians and employees of municipal authorities

The partner institution is the Mexican Ministry of Energy (Secretaria de Energía de México – SENER).

» Results By reducing energy demand of buildings and avoiding emissions, the project makes a substantial contribution to protection of the urban environment and climate change mitigation. The process of recording the current status of energy efficiency in the construction of new social hous-ing and of determining and quantifying the potential for improvement, which was initiated jointly with INFONAVIT in 2009, was continued and completed in 2010. There proved to be considerable potential for energy savings and for improvements in the quality of life for residents in hot climates in particular, and for certain building types. The results formed the starting point for introducing a qualification system that is meant to help people compare different buildings with the aid of energy and environment indicators. In this way, builders and buyers are able to see the energy-efficiency quality of residential buildings for the first time. This approach is unprecedented in Mexico and in future can also be used to produce a comprehensive energy assessment of other housing and commercial or industrial buildings, as well as considerably speeding up the introduc-tion of energy efficiency products on the market. Consideration is also already being given to making cur-rent credit finance arrangements (green credit) dependent on the energy standard of residential buildings. The Passive House Planning (Design) Package (PPHP), developed by the Passive House Institute, was identified as being a suitable calculation and planning tool for the practical implementa-tion of the qualification system; it will now be adapted and simplified to suit Mexican climatic and construction condi-tions. The qualification system is due to be introduced no later than November 2012.

3.4.4

Energy efficiency and renewable energy in housing construction, Mexico

Mexico

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Increasing urbanisation is noticeably intensifying the problem of greenhouse gas emissions and is adding to the strain on both urban populations and the local environment.

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04 LINKS TO THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS

AFc consultants International www.afci.de

AGEG consultants eG www.ageg.de

AHT GROUP AG www.aht-group.com

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH www.giz.de

Eco consulting Group GmbH & co. KG www.eco-consult.com

GFA consulting Group GmbH www.gfa-group.de

GITEc consult GmbH www.gitec-consult.com

GOPA Gesellschaft für Organisation, Planung und Ausbildung mbH www.gopa.de

IAK Agrar consulting GmbH www.iakleipzig.de

IcON INSTITUTE GmbH & co. KG www.icon-institute.de

IP Institut für Projektplanung GmbH www.ip-consult.de

KfW Bankengruppe www.kfw.de

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Deutsche Gesellschaft fürInternationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn

Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4053113 BonnT +49 228 44 60-0F +49 228 44 60-17 66

Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-565760 EschbornT +49 61 96 79-0F +49 61 96 79-11 15E rural.development@giz.deI www.giz.de