Climate change and poverty are inextricably linked. An additional 100 million people are at risk of falling into poverty, while those already living in poverty are the most vulnerable to the shocks caused by climate change.
Context
Poor people and poor countries are particularly exposed and vulnerable to climate shocks and natural disasters that destroy their livelihoods, or to the diseases that result.
To put an end to poverty, climate change and its effects on poor populations must be taken into account in development policies.
In fragile countries, anyone can be plunged into poverty when a flood destroys a micro-business or a drought decimates crops or herds. Climatic shocks can reverse decades of work and savings, generating irreversible human and material losses.
FXB in action
FXB works to promote Sustainable Development Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
With a lasting impact on the lives of children and families affected by poverty for 33 years, FXB's climate change strategy focuses on building resilience and adapting marginalized communities to the resulting impacts.
Since climate change has an impact on all aspects of the communities served by our organization, climate change adaptation strategies cut across all FXB projects.
At the same time, FXB also runs an education and advocacy program, FXB Climate Advocates, which aims to empower young people (aged 13-25) around the world to implement climate solutions in their communities and globally.
Our current programs
ACTIONS LINKED TO OUR PROJECTS :
- Empowering women and girls
Women's education is essential to long-term climate resilience. FXB integrates family planning and training in sexual and reproductive health and rights into all its projects. As women are the most affected by climate impacts, it is also essential to give them the means to exercise their rights and have financial security. FXB promotes gender equality and prevents all forms of insecurity and violence against women; it fosters women's economic and social empowerment as a decisive factor in the fight against poverty and climate change.
- Financial inclusion
To make communities more resilient to the consequences of climate change, FXB provides financial training and forms Village Savings and Credit Associations (VSCAs) to promote financial inclusion and security. FXB has also initiated a microinsurance system in these groups to enable members to meet costs linked to climatic hazards.
- Sustainable agriculture
Agriculture is responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. With the aim of promoting the adoption of more productive and resilient agricultural systems through ecological practices that adapt to climate change, FXB is setting up Farmer Field Schools, a participatory, community-based educational method that combines the principles and practices of community development, non-formal education, agroecology and adaptive ecosystem management.
- Livelihood diversification
FXB promotes the diversification of farmers' livelihoods to anticipate the consequences of potential devastation caused by extreme weather conditions.
- Vegetable gardens
Climate change is contributing to global food insecurity. FXB provides training and support to project participants so they can create environmentally-friendly vegetable gardens, ensuring access to quality food and reducing food insecurity.
- Climate education
FXB educates employees and project participants about more sustainable consumption, water use and production, ecological waste recycling, the use of solar lamps and disaster risk reduction.
- Healthy environment
Climate change is exacerbating water scarcity and air pollution. FXB develops spring catchments, water points and wells that are maintained and managed by communities. It also promotes the construction of latrines, hand-washing stations and the use of improved cooking stoves to reduce respiratory tract infections and deforestation.
EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY
The FXB Climate Advocates program aims to empower young people (aged 13-25) around the world to implement climate solutions in their communities and on a global scale.