Secure and affordable energy supply improves people’s living conditions as well as production processes, both of which are vital to sustainable development, poverty reduction and climate protection. The SDC’s Global Programme Climate Change promotes access to clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean air.
Energy supply – improving living conditions and production processes
SDC activities
Social and economic development without access to clean, efficient and renewable energy and to clean air is virtually impossible. Better living conditions are dependent upon these factors, among others. The Global Programme Climate Change focuses on three areas of activity:
- Access to clean and renewable energy
- Promotion of energy efficiency
- Contribution to clean air
Widespread access to modern and renewable energy boosts the economy and helps people to cope better with the consequences of climate change. In India, for example, the Global Programme Climate Change promotes innovative technologies to ensure the energy needs of the population in rural areas are met. At global level, the SDC supports “Energising Development” (EnDev), a partnership between several countries that provides poor families with access to electricity and heat supply. This makes cooking easier and heating possible which in turn has a positive impact on human health and the environment as deforestation is reduced.
Switzerland has extensive experience of energy efficiency and the relevant technology and science. The SDC is therefore helping small and medium-sized companies through the Global Programme Climate Change, for example with the energy-efficient production of bricks and other construction materials. Such knowledge transfer enables energy to be saved and greenhouse gas emissions to be cut – especially in emerging economies.
The SDC promotes multilateral platforms and projects geared towards efficient and clean technologies. In Latin America, for example, the SDC supports the introduction of clean diesel engines in urban buses. It is also campaigning for legislation containing measures for clean air.
With its three complementary areas of activity, the SDC is making a contribution to raising awareness of and gearing efforts towards energy sustainability in developing countries and emerging economies. The well-conceived management of natural resources and lower dependence upon fossil fuels help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and related conflicts.
Background
Around 1.6 billion people worldwide have no access to electricity and over 2.5 billion still rely solely on biomass, primarily wood, for cooking and heating.
A lack of access to modern forms of energy prevents development and has an adverse effect on health. Flue gases in open fireplaces are a case in point. Fluctuating energy prices and dependence on fossil fuels represent further risks, particularly for poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
Around two-thirds of global CO2 emissions are produced by energy consumption. The growing demand for energy, in particular in developing countries and emerging economies, as well as high levels of coal consumption, are causing CO2 emissions to rise. This underlines the fact that energy supply, the fight against poverty and alleviating the effects of climate change are closely interlinked. The associated challenges must be tackled comprehensively.
Current challenges
Energy is crucial to sustainable development in many respects. Access to affordable energy is a key requirement for improved production in agriculture and industry and therefore also plays a vital role in reducing hunger and poverty.
Clean energy contributes to better management of all resources as, for example, fewer forests are cut down and water cycles are maintained. Achieving development targets also means finding solutions to energy issues. Providing poor sections of the population with better access to energy services and ensuring they are eco-friendly and efficient are challenges for development cooperation.
Links
Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction
SDC Project: Sustainable access to climate-friendly and affordable
Energising Development Partnership
Climate and Clean Air Coalition
Energy Efficiency in the Artisanal Brick Sector in Latin America, Red Ladrilleras
Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project
Documents
Current projects
Andean Regional Initiative on Adaptation to Climate Change (ARIACC)
01.09.2024
- 31.08.2027
ARIACC aims to increase the resilience of Andean Family Agriculture to climate change by improving the implementation of relevant policies, building capacity, leveraging investments, scaling innovative practices and promoting regional and global knowledge exchange. Close multisectoral collaboration will ensure the sustainability and scaling of the initiative. The project builds on longstanding SDC experience in the region and consolidates successful achievements of Phase 1 while sharing them globally.
Tajikistan UNDRR - Strengthening Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in Tajikistan (SRDCT)
01.09.2024
- 28.02.2026
Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate impacts, thus strengthening resilience needed as fundament for sustainable development. The intervention will contribute to (i) sustainable and effective mechanisms and instruments to improve risk governance through the national DRR platform, (ii) improved risk knowledge through robust loss data collection and recording, and (iii) preparedness measures through support to multi-hazard Early Warning Systems and risk information.
Promoting efficient, affordable and clean cooling for everyone (PEACCE)
01.08.2024
- 31.07.2028
The Promoting Efficient, Affordable and Clean Cooling for Everyone (PEACCE) project contributes to mobilising global support and political will for scaling up sustainable cooling solutions in sub-Saharan Africa by supporting the Sustainable Cooling programme of the Sustainable Energy for All organisation. With its support, Switzerland aims to leverage its experience in passive cooling and nature-based cooling solutions both within sub-Saharan Africa and globally.
Capacity Building for Low Carbon and Climate Resilient City Development in India (CapaCITIES)
01.08.2024
- 31.07.2026
India’s 8000+ cities contribute to more than 70% of its GHG emissions and are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The CapaCITIES exit phase will consolidate results of the Ph. 1 and 2 of the Indo-Swiss collaboration on low carbon and climate resilient urban development, support institutionalisation for autonomous implementation of Net-Zero Climate Resilient City Action Plans by cities, and disseminate and upscale results at the national level.
Armenia: Early Recovery after Floods 2024 (Direct Action)
08.07.2024
- 31.12.2025
Heavy rainfall in May 2024 led to flooding in Northern Armenia, four casualties, temporary displacement of 2’400 persons and considerable damage on public and private infrastructure. A Rapid Response Team of Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) assessed structural engineering (bridges, roads) damages. Based on that assessment, the proposed SHA Direct Action supports early recovery efforts in Armenia with pedestrian bridges, an event analysis and engineering advice.
Responsible Business Fund Plus (RBF+)
01.07.2024
- 30.06.2028
Myanmar’s post-coup conflict escalation and economic turmoil has led to financial and economic instability and destabilised the agrifood industry. Also, extreme weather and climate change further impact farmers and agricultural processors. The Responsible Business Fund Plus project aims to support agrifood businesses while reducing their environmental impact and thus deepening Switzerland's commitment to private sector engagement and an inclusive green economy.
Climate Services for a Resilient Albania (ALBAdapt)
01.06.2024
- 31.12.2030
The project will increase Albania’s adaptive capacity and climate resilience through the effective generation and use of climate information and services. It will develop an innovative Multi Hazard Impact Based Early Warning System in line with international standards. The MeteoSwiss expertise will be of added value in leveraging the Green Climate Fund engagement and complementing the SECO contribution to this large strategic project.
Global Shelter Cluster, IFRC: Green Shelter and Settlements Response
01.06.2024
- 31.05.2027
The project will support the implementation of the new Global Shelter Cluster strategy (2024-2028) and in particular the knowledge and capacity building pillars of the Global Shelter Cluster environmental strategic approach with the main objective of the systematic integration of environmental and climate considerations into shelter and settlement responses.
Building Damage Assessment in Albania
01.04.2024
- 31.12.2027
The devastating earthquake in 2019 revealed that Albania has a weak policy and institutional framework and low public awareness on building damage assessment. The Swiss project will support Albania in strengthening its disaster risk management institutions at national and municipal level to provide sustainable and effective building damage assessment services, leading to safer living conditions and a more disaster resilient business environment.
8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva, June 2025
01.03.2024
- 31.12.2025
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is the most important international conference to discuss progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR. The eighth session of the Global Platform will be hosted by Switzerland in Geneva in June 2025. It will review advances in the realisation of the calls to action made in 2023 by the United Nations General Assembly on the midterm review of the Sendai Framework and will be key for the identification and support of measures to accelerate DRR implementation and improve coherence with the Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement.
Addressing Climate and El Niño-related Risks in Southeast Asia
01.02.2024
- 31.07.2025
Through an innovative partnership with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) and Geoneon, the SDC will support the creation of high-quality geospatial data products to support riskinformed and climate-smart decision-making in development cooperation and DRM in priority subnational areas in Lao PDR and Indonesia, contributing to and complementing efforts under the SERVIR Southeast Asia project implemented by ADPC and supported by USAID and NASA.
Climate & Socially Resilient Livelihoods’ Support (CSRLS)
01.02.2024
- 30.04.2028
The climatic challenges exacerbate Afghanistan's already fragile socio-economic condition. The project by the Afghan NGO, The Liaison Office, aims to sustainably improve lives and livelihoods of the poorest households in selected provinces by strengthening the natural resource base, climate change resilient and diversified livelihoods, relationships within and between communities, as well as joint climate action.