Stories

Shaping a greener and more resilient world Stories

13 May, 2021

Environmental degradation and climate change are disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable people through an impact on food systems, natural resources, human health, and livelihoods. Cowater International collaborates with a wide range of donors and stakeholders to advance solutions that champion environmental and climate change solutions that are crucial to protecting people and resources, ensuring the sustainability of our natural and built environments, and strengthening resilience to climate change.

With funding from the European Union, Cowater International Brussels’ portfolio of climate and environmental projects promotes effective adaptation solutions and climate resilient development. The European Commission’s new EU strategy on adaptation to climate change, adopted in February 2021, and other initiatives such as the European Green Deal, prioritize concerted international action to step up climate adaptation and advance carbon-neutral development. We are proud to be supporting the EU’s climate priorities through our international development work.

In Lebanon, Cowater International Brussels participated in the assessment of the Support to Reforms – Environmental Governance (StREG) project. StREG focuses on protecting and preserving the environment in Lebanon and supports the Ministry of Environment across five major technical assistance areas: i) Environmental inspection and enforcement; ii) Administrative capacity of the Ministry of Environment; iii) Environmental fiscal instruments; iv) Environmental policy; and v) communication.

Cowater International’s support is facilitating the adoption of new environmental policies around air pollution monitoring, including recommendations for additional EU assistance, and policy recommendations regarding the deployment of the environmental police.

In Mali, with funding from the European Union, Cowater International works in the Sikasso, Ségou and Mopti regions, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Irrigation and Sustainable Development, the National Directorate for Waters and Forests, and other stakeholders to support improvements in environmental policies and practices. As part of our mid-term evaluation of the « Alliance globale contre le changement climatique au Mali phase 2 (AGCC-Mali 2) » (Global Climate Change Alliance Mali Phase 2 (GCCA-Mali 2) project, we are supporting Mali’s efforts to sustainably manage natural resources by strengthening governance systems in the forestry sector and increasing the country’s forest cover.

Supporting Mali’s efforts to prioritize climate-resilient development is critical to addressing poverty and improving economic opportunities for Malians. With over 80% of the active population working in agriculture and related sectors, Mali is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and needs to prioritize policies that support sustainable and effective management of natural resources.


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