Climate Change

Advancing Global Climate Action

USAID Climate Strategy Progress Update

April 2023

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We can no longer delay or do the bare minimum to address climate change. This is a global, existential crisis, and we’ll all suffer the consequences if we fail.

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— President Joe Biden

Explore USAID’s Climate Strategy

Climate change is a threat that sees no borders and can harm us all. Around the world, temperatures and sea levels are rising. From more intense forest fires in California to more prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa to recurring typhoons in Southeast Asia—much of the world is already experiencing the negative impacts of a changing climate.

Addressing the climate crisis must be a collective effort. The United States is committed to renewing our strong alliance in the effort to deal with the climate crisis and cooperating with our global partners to strengthen our climate ambition.

Climate change is not just an existential threat, it is currently threatening development progress and exacerbating global inequities; increasing water and food scarcity, the need for humanitarian assistance, and displacement; and contributing to conflict.

USAID plays a vital role in mitigating climate change and addressing its impacts by partnering with more than 45 countries to implement ambitious emissions reduction measures, protect critical ecosystems, transition to renewable energy, build resilience against the impacts of climate change, and promote the flow of capital toward climate-positive investments. We are also integrating climate considerations across USAID’s portfolio to protect development progress.

We have a narrow moment to pursue action in order to protect our environment and to seize the opportunity that tackling climate change presents. Together we can make a difference for a healthier and more prosperous planet.

Key Issues

Energy

Supporting the transition to renewable energy and improving energy efficiency to reduce emissions and improve energy access.

Forests

Reducing emissions by combating deforestation and improving conservation and management of carbon-rich forests and landscapes.

Safety

Helping communities and countries better prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related disasters.

Food

Strengthening global food and nutrition security by advancing climate-smart agriculture and increased resilience to droughts, rising temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns.

Water

Helping people and economies deliver climate-resilient drinking water and sanitation, and manage water resources to cope with growing scarcity. And protecting our oceans by limiting climate impacts and addressing other critical threats, like ocean plastic pollution.

Air

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants which in turn improves public health, reduces poverty and inequality, and lessens climate change impacts.

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News & Information

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Administrator Samantha Power attends the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit: Day 3

Today, on the final day of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, Administrator Samantha Power held bilateral meetings with African leaders and joined President Joe Biden and African Heads of State at the Promoting Food Security and Food Systems Resilience session.

USAID Provides Additional $2.5 Million in Humanitarian Assistance for Devastating Flooding in Chad

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided an additional $2.5 million in humanitarian assistance in response to persistent needs following unprecedented flooding in Chad.

Administrator Samantha Power at the Supporting Conservation, Climate Adaptation, and a Just Energy Session at the U.S.- Africa Leaders Summit

So while the question posed to me is about forests – I just want to assure you, I think that we at USAID are very seized with the issues that you have touched upon, and of course work in 100 countries that are experiencing conservation challenges of all kinds.

Egypt Climate Change Country Profile

FACT SHEET – This is the decisive decade for our planet and our future. Egypt is highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including water scarcity, drought, extreme heat, rising sea levels, and food insecurity. That’s why the U.S. Government is committed to working with the Egyptian government and private sector to respond to the climate crisis.

Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman at a Side Event on Nutrition Investment in Africa

Good evening, everyone. It’s wonderful to be with you today as we mark the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and the 2022 Africa Year of Nutrition.

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