New strategic alliance aims to build collaborative approaches to tackle climate crisis

In the year of COP28 and the first global stocktake, which will serve as a foundation for countries to revise and strengthen their response to tackling the climate crisis, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and EIT Climate-KIC have announced a new strategic alliance.

The climate crisis is a complex and multifaceted challenge requiring innovative approaches and collaborative efforts across sectors. IIED and EIT Climate-KIC understand the power of collaboration in new and unusual partnerships, and recognise the urgent need to work more closely together.

This collaboration brings together the unique strengths of both organisations, combining innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, policy influence, and international collaboration.

By leveraging their expertise and diverse perspectives, IIED and EIT Climate-KIC aim to catalyse greater climate resilience through transformative social change, sustainable economic development and effective climate adaptation. They have a shared vision of containing and reversing global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Bringing cutting-edge thinking and practice from different regions

The alliance between IIED and EIT Climate-KIC capitalises on the unique perspectives and experiences that each organisation brings to the table.

IIED’s extensive partnerships with organisations in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America doing cutting-edge work positions it to share thinking and practice from these regions. This sharing of knowledge not only enriches learning within Europe but also facilitates international collaboration directly with those organisations.

Similarly, EIT Climate-KIC’s deep insights into developing demonstrations of change in cities and regions and fostering innovation learning and entrepreneurship in Europe can be shared with global partners, promoting worldwide learning and progress.

This partnership aims to amplify existing collaborative efforts such as the Pathways2Resilience initiative, which focuses on increasing the climate resilience of at least 100 European regions and communities. There will be a focus on developing a new Collaborative for Systemic Climate Action, joint work on the future of forests, climate adaptation and the adaptation mission, and sustainable economic development and the future of innovation.

By leveraging their shared values, commitment to systems innovation, and exploration of new impact models, IIED and EIT Climate-KIC can bring about a revolutionary shift in climate resilience and finance.

Directing efforts towards a revolution in climate resilience and finance

The strategic alliance between IIED and EIT Climate-KIC shows their shared determination to address the urgent challenges of climate change and the equitable distribution of climate finance to build resilience.

Their focus is on communities that have contributed least to climate change but bear the brunt of its consequences, becoming vulnerable as a result. By combining their strengths, collaborating with others and directing their efforts towards a revolution in climate resilience and finance, IIED and EIT Climate-KIC aspire to contribute to lasting change that safeguards the planet for future generations.