Climate and resource efficiency
If countries are to develop sustainably, they must consider the impact of their actions on the climate and utilise resources efficiently. SECO is committed to supporting its partner countries in reducing carbon emissions, using resources sustainably and adapting to climate change.
Developing countries are particularly affected by the consequences of climate change, such as storms, floods and droughts. Climate change threatens to undo the achievements of recent decades in the fight against poverty.
SECO is committed to contributing that developing countries and emerging economies grow in a climate-friendly way.
Protecting the environment and combating climate change is one of the four goals of the 2025-2028 International Cooperation Strategy (IC). SECO's IC commitment is fully aligned with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. To this end, it systematically takes climate risks into account in its activities. It also promotes climate and environmentally-friendly investments and measures that enable countries to adapt to climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
SECO’s projects promote in particular:
- urban development that is resilient to climate change, for example by taking flood risks into account in urban planning;
- resource-efficient production processes (e.g. the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme, which reduces energy and water consumption in industrial processes);
- renewable energy and energy efficiency (e.g. the Scaling-up Renewable Energy Programme, which provides loans for renewable energy and promotes sustainable energy policy through the Swiss Energiestadt label;
- the sustainable use of natural resources, including through sustainable value chains (e.g. the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa’s Support Programme, which promotes sustainable cocoa production);
- green finance mechanisms through vocational training and enabling environments (e.g. the IFC’s Green Bond Technical Assistance Programme);
- greater consideration of the climate in national budgets, public investments and tax policy (e.g. carbon tax).
Mobilising private investment
SECO seeks to mobilise the private sector to invest in environmentally and climate-friendly projects in developing countries. To this end, it works with associations, private investors, asset managers, insurance companies and other players in the Swiss financial community.
Joint effort
SECO works closely with various partners such as the multilateral development banks and other international organisations. In this way, it contributes to the development and adaptation of climate strategies and finances climate programmes. SECO also influences the global climate agenda through its participation in the climate negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.