12/05/2016

Agreement with the World Bank - Together against climate change

During the G20 Presidency, Germany will work closely with the World Bank to tackle the effects of climate change. Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim have signed an agreement to that effect. Germany contributes 105 million euros to World Bank climate programmes.

Shortly before officially taking on the G20 Presidency, the Chancellor met with the World Bank president (Photo: Bundesregierung/Bergmann)

"Climate change creates poverty. People in developing countries are those most affected by climate change, and are also those who have the least control over it", Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller said after meeting with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim. Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel had also welcomed the World Bank president.

We must protect developing countries together, "through insurance against droughts and flooding, through investments in the vital preservation of forests. Climate change is also an opportunity, especially in the developing countries: renewable energies create jobs and are good for human health." Müller calls for putting an end to investments in obsolete and climate-damaging technologies. "The World Bank must also focus all of its work on climate and sustainability targets," the minister said.

Cooperation with the World Bank

Implementation of the global climate agreement

The new global NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) Partnership supports developing countries in the implementation of their climate protection contributions to the Paris agreement. More than 40 developing countries, industrialised countries and international organisations work together within this framework. The partnership will be the driving force behind tailor-made climate solutions in developing countries.

Climate risk insurance for the poorest

The climate risk insurance initiative InsuResilience provides solutions for countries affected by climate change. For example, it helps small island states cope with the consequences of increasing tropical storms and helps to better prevent droughts in Africa and to limit harm to humans and cattle. By 2020, 400 million people should have additional insurance against climate risks.

Sustainable use of forests

The World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility rewards countries for successes in forest protection. Sustainable use and active preservation of forests create jobs and income. 1.6 billion people worldwide live from the forest.