Climate change is a stressor that can affect social and economic development across sectors and in multiple ways. At USAID, we are working to integrate what we know about climate change into all of our programs.

Climate change impacts development. Changing precipitation patterns can hurt food security, and less predictable and more intense floods and storms can destroy homes, hospitals and roads. Hotter temperatures can harm human health, in ways including the expansion of pests and diseases into new geographical areas.

USAID programs can help people, communities, governments and institutions in developing countries adapt to actual and expected changes in climate. They can also support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, altering the very trajectory of climate change.

Many USAID activities already address climate change. Some of these activities are a part of food security, water security, disaster resilience and other programs. Others are pilot activities that are generating insights about how to integrate climate change effectively.

Below are some of the major policies and initiatives affecting climate integration at USAID.