A large part of the populations of the countries of the South still depends on the earth, the forest or fishing grounds for their daily survival and financial incomes.

However, natural resources, which are essential for present and future development, are subject to huge demographic, urban, industrial and climate pressures. The rational management of resources and space has become a major challenge.

Like the cooperation of other European countries, Belgian cooperation considers the environment a transversal theme, which is systematically integrated in all development cooperation sectors and in all stages of projects (preparation, implementation, evaluation…).

In concrete terms, for BTC, there is a double responsibility:

1. To guarantee that development interventions carry no environmental risks (destruction of habitat, pollution of ground water or soils, depletion of natural resources and biodiversity…);
2. To value the natural potential and support the partner countries in implementing legal frameworks and development strategies that take into account the environment.

In order to deal with risks, BTC integrates environmental impact studies in its infrastructure projects (rural roads, bridges, construction of schools or health centres…) and rural development projects. These studies are conducted at the beginning of the project and assess potential risks and formulate risk management measures to be implemented.

Emphasis is also put on capacity development of environmental institutions, the development of environmental management systems, and the integration of the environmental dimension in technology transfers and in the development approaches and strategies recommended.

One can also see a new generation of development projects and programmes emerging:

• Promotion or renewable energies (Mozambique, Rwanda…);
• Natural resource management (Peru, Tanzania…);
• Fight against deforestation (Bolivia…);
• Waste management (Vietnam…) ;
• Urban sanitation (Senegal...) ;
• Institutional strengthening on climate issues (for instance, with regards to the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism, in Uganda).

Recently, the attention paid to climate change has strongly contributed to placing environmental concerns to the fore. We already know that the poorest countries will be (and already are!) the first and most touched by these changes. BTC is aware of these stakes. A first step is to promote environmental “good practices”. A next step is to respond to requests of partner countries by supporting their efforts with regards to emissions reduction and adaptation to the consequences of climate changes.

BTC itself applies environmental good practices: The Brussels office is EMAS registered (European label) and ISO 14 001 certified (international environmental certification). Moreover, BTC compensates the CO2 emissions of its international flights (2,500 tons compensated in 2007 and 2008). These initiatives are taken as part of BTC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).