Welthungerhilfe (WHH) defines resilience as the ability of people, communities or institutions to recover rapidly from extreme strain and develop strategies to cope with recurring challenges. WHH plans projects that enable people to be better armed for future crises.
Climate Action
The Challenge
To achieve Welthungerhilfe’s (WHH’s) goal of ‘Zero Hunger,’ humanity must mitigate the impacts of climate change. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 690 million people worldwide suffer daily from hunger, which will be exacerbated by climate change. Experts predict this number will likely increase to 840 million by 2030. Agriculture is the most vulnerable sector to climate change. At the same time, food systems are responsible for about a third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Our food systems require systemic change to make them more inclusive, sustainable, nutritious, and resilient.
WHH in 2023: Climate Action
61
Active projects
23
Countries
6.4m
Project participants
Our Approach
At WHH, we systematically integrate climate action into our projects and programs to inform food system transformation, enhance community resilience to climate change, and improve our operational sustainability. Our work intersects disaster risk reduction and adaptation, effectively combining humanitarian and development approaches to create sustainable and resilient solutions. These efforts include climate-sensitive, sustainable, and climate resilient agriculture, sustainable water management practices, economic and livelihood diversification, capacity strengthening of community-based disaster risk management institutions, and support for communities to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change. We utilize anticipatory humanitarian action to proactively assist at-risk and vulnerable communities before disaster risk fully unfolds.
WHH fosters climate change mitigation through renewable energy projects and by promoting biodiversity conservation, soil health and nature-based solutions, such as ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, reforestation and afforestation, agroforestry, farmer-managed and assisted natural regeneration. We also support research and participatory vulnerability assessments to understand how climate change exacerbates food insecurity and malnutrition, informing advocacy efforts to reduce negative impacts and increase resilience.
As a signatory of the Climate Charter, WHH has clear targets aligned with its commitments and supports the Locally Led Adaptation Principles, emphasizing local leadership. In 2021, we developed Environmental and Social Safeguards to manage project impacts, aligning with organizations like the FAO and promoting environmental sustainability across our projects.
To achieve WHH’s goal of ‘Zero Hunger’, the impacts of climate change need to be mitigated. In addition to maintaining a cross-cutting climate resilience lens, WHH has spearheaded climate-focused projects.
Systemic Outcomes
WHH’s climate resilience interventions yield significant results, including enhanced disaster preparedness and adaptation planning. By integrating advanced strategies and local knowledge, communities are better equipped to anticipate and respond to climate-related challenges. Our efforts also lead to increased biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resources management, preserving vital ecosystems and promoting ecological balance. Furthermore, WHH supports diversified economic and livelihood sources, fostering stability and growth within communities. This holistic approach ensures immediate benefits and long-term resilience and sustainability, empowering communities to thrive in the face of climate change.
