USAID has released its new Climate Change and Development Strategy for 2012-2016, a strategic framework for approaching the barriers and opportunities presented by global climate change. The strategy strives to enable countries to accelerate their transition to climate resilient, low emissions development to promote sustainable economic growth.
3 strategic objectives are incorporated in USAIDs strategy:
- Enhance the transition to low emission development via investments in clean energy and sustainable landscapes for climate change mitigation;
- Grow resilience of people, places, and livelihoods through investments in climate change adaptation; and
- Strengthen development outcomes through the integration of climate change in USAID programming, learning, policy dialogues, and operations.
“…the threat from climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it is growing. Our generation’s response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it—boldly, swiftly, and together—we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.”
President Obama, United Nations Summit on Climate Change, September 22, 2009