Climate Partnerships for a Sustainable Future, November 2017

Climate Partnerships for a Sustainable Future: An initial overview of South-South cooperation on climate change in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty

At COP23, the United Nations Southern Climate Partnership Incubator (SCPI) released a report entitled “Climate Partnerships for a Sustainable Future: An initial overview of South-South cooperation on Climate Change in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty”. This report was jointly produced by the South Centre and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).

The report highlights the role that South-South cooperation on climate change can play in addressing climate change challenges and advancing climate mitigation and adaptation actions, in the context of developing countries’ efforts to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication.

The study focuses on providing an initial overview of the multitude of initiatives relating to South-South cooperation on climate change that is being undertaken by various developing countries and international organizations including multinational development banks, as well as those that are supported by the United Nations system. Developing countries can benefit significantly from Southern climate partnerships that can address climate change and help achieve sustainable development.

A crucial focus is placed on how cooperation in the thematic areas like energy, agriculture, buildings, transportation, water, health including others can provide practical examples of South-South cooperation on climate change and can boost climate action and sustainable development. The report outlines how different modalities of Southern climate cooperation are contributing to the environmental dimensions of South-South cooperation. Additionally different types of South-South climate change cooperation led by the United Nations Member States and international, intergovernmental and regional organizations are discussed in the report.

South-South cooperation on climate change has gained momentum in the past few decades, with the global south engaging through the exchange of knowledge and experiences, and the provision of human, technical and financial resources. Many developing countries and international organizations have integrated climate change strategies and policies by adopting sustainable, low greenhouse gas emission and climate resilient development pathways, and by engaging other countries and other stakeholders with development needs. There is huge potential for South-South cooperation on climate change today and in the future to complement the support of developed countries.

The international community, the United Nations, and developing country institutions such as the South Centre can all play an important role to promote, coordinate and facilitate Southern climate cooperation, particularly in regard to climate change mitigation and adaptation needs, further unleashing its potential for the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

Download the report below:

Climate Partnerships for a Sustainable Future

The report can also be downloaded here.