(2) what steps the Government have taken to encourage developing countries to prioritise environmentally-friendly policies since 1997.
DFID works with other donors to help poorer countries identify their own development priorities, policies and plans that incorporate environmental sustainability. DFID also works with others to help partner countries tackle specific environmental challenges, such as better use of forests, water, land and fisheries. Examples of action since 1997 are:
Helping Governments address the environment in the poverty reduction strategies of Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
DFID joint funded the UNDP Poverty Environment Initiative which helped Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Vietnam and Cambodia to include environmental management for poverty reduction in their development plans.
Work with other donors to produce OECD guidance that helps developing countries produce national strategies for sustainable development.
Leading production of OECD guidance on the use of strategic environmental assessment in development cooperation.
Defra are leading work with DFID and FCO on Sustainable Development Dialogues that help China, India, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico to introduce sustainable development policies, plans and activities.
Integrating forestry issues into development assistance provided at regional and country programme level, such as in Indonesia and Cameroon.
DFID is supporting capacity building and institutional reform in fisheries in several developing countries (in southern Africa, Sierra Leone and India).
DFID will also provide core funding of £6 million to UN Environment Programme (UNEP) between 2008 and 2011, in addition to the £4.2 million from Defra in 2007. DFID assistance will help UNEP strengthen its poverty and environment work with developing countries, including joint work with UNDP to help poor countries introduce environmentally sustainable development policies and plans.
DFID is helping developing country Governments prepare for climate change, contributing £20 million to UN funds for developing adaptation strategies and piloting adaptation projects.
The Environment Transformation Fund (ETF) has an £800 million international window to be managed jointly by DFID and Defra. This will support development and poverty reduction through environmental protection, and help poor countries respond to climate change. £50 million has already been earmarked for tackling deforestation in the Congo Basin.