OECD - Greening Development Co-operation

It will not be possible to deliver the holistic 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the sustainable development goals without managing environmental opportunities and challenges. Development is a trifecta of economic, social and environmental dimensions; it cannot be achieved if any of the three dimensions are weak. This reality recalled by daily headlines about the Amazon burning and other environmental crises is prompting a shift towards sustainable development co-operation at all levels.

The OECD Development Co-operation Directorate (DCD) is supporting this transformation among Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members who have had a strong focus in recent years on the climate crisis and the importance of greening economies. We will not achieve the 2030 Agenda if we do not meet the goals for a climate-resilient, low-emissions future. At the same time, we cannot ignore the threats posed by loss of biodiversity, desertification, pressure on natural resources and the impact of pollution on the environment and, particularly, on human health.

Greening Development Co-operation: Lessons from the OECD Development Assistance Committee responds to a key challenge facing many of our members how to integrate environment issues into development co-operation strategies and programmes so that we go beyond doing no harm to the environment, and ensure that we take every opportunity to do good.

It explores five key dimensions of development co-operation. First, is the need for strong policy commitment and leadership in development co-operation. Second, the importance of robust systems, processes and tools to ensure that environmental issues and environmental impacts are considered throughout the project/programme cycle. A third requirement is for capacity and continuous skill development of staff and partners. The fourth element focuses on the necessity of sharing knowledge, learning and engaging all stakeholders. Finally, it is essential that country partners are well-supported and that their needs are centre stage. These dimensions form the five building blocks for greening development co-operation.

The second in a series of thematic reviews launched by the DAC to increase peer-to-peer learning, this peer-learning report on environment mainstreaming has been a resounding success. It was grounded in a clear framework for analysis that reflected the needs and interests of DAC members for a review that was both policy and operationally relevant.

Going forward, the DCD will continue to support the DAC, and its Network on Environment and Development Co-operation (ENVIRONET) will continue to engage with members and others on the challenges and opportunities for environment mainstreaming, and highlight and promote good practice through DAC peer reviews. The DAC will also support further peer-to-peer learning among members, recognising the valuable contribution that such opportunities present to improve approaches to development co-operation and, ultimately, realising better results.