USAID's Investments for Environment in Asia Regional - Dollars to Results

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Results of USAID's Environment spending

FY 2011 $16.0 M

Total Environment $16.0 M

FY 2012 $23.6 M

Total Environment $23.6 M

FY 2013 $31.9 M

Total Environment $31.9 M

Environmental concerns are among the chief impediments to Asia’s long-term development success. The countries of the Lower Mekong sub-region share a variety of common concerns, including trans-boundary water resources management, infectious diseases such as dengue and pandemic influenza, and vulnerability to climate change. The Lower Mekong Initiative seeks to support a common regional understanding of these issues to facilitate an effective, coordinated response.

Why Our Work Matters…

Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past century, and is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5°F over the next hundred years.

Illustrative results in 2011

6,114,735 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent reduced or sequestered
Reducing GHG emissions has long-term impacts on slowing climate change. Reducing GHG emissions can also have strong ancillary benefits for pollution, security, and health.
5,675,140 hectares under improved natural resource management

“Improved natural resource management” includes activities that promote enhanced management of natural resources for one or more objectives, such as conserving biodiversity, sustaining soil or water resources, mitigating climate change, and/or promoting sustainable agriculture. This is essential for preserving biodiversity and reducing the impact of climate change.
4,540,642 hectares in areas of biological significance showed improved biophysical conditions
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved biophysical conditions are demonstrated where there is data showing improvement in one or more natural resources in the area over time.
2,673 people trained in natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation
Natural resources and biodiversity conservation includes managing natural resources in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. Training includes sessions in which participants are educated according to a defined curriculum and set learning objectives in resource management and conservation.
1,346 hours of training completed in climate change

Training activities strengthen agency and in-country capacity, as well as promote strategic partnerships. They improve the likelihood that development partners will continue to implement climate change projects after U.S. government support has ended, as well as increase the likelihood that agency staff will program climate change funds effectively for maximum impact.
328 people received training in environmental law, enforcement, public participation, and cleaner production policies, strategies, skills, and techniques

Efforts to offer training in environmental law and policy to promote a sustainable environment, clean energy technologies strategic planning, and environmental enforcement. These training activities help improve the likelihood that development partners will continue to implement relevant projects long after assistance has ended.
77 percent of awards with organizational capacity development objectives or activities that require reporting on capacity development metrics on a regular basis

(Crosscutting Indicator) By requiring recipients to report on progress towards strengthening capacity on a regular (at least annual) basis, USAID is improving the capacity of public, private, for profit, and not for profit organizations in recipient countries to improve their financial management and their success in meeting the needs of their constituents.
57 People received training in REDD+
This indicator measures the number of people trained in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). It includes the implementation programs that provide technical understanding of forest carbon stocks and measurements of deforestation to encourage new incentives to stem deforestation. It highlights the role of governance at all scales (recognizing decentralization has made sub-national institutions important in many countries). Vulnerability assessments take a spatial and multi-sectoral approach that establish relationships (including tradeoffs) across geographical, sectoral, and other types of boundaries.
41 policies, laws, agreements or regulations promoting sustainable natural resource management and conservation
Policies, laws, agreements and regulations include those developed and formally endorsed by governmental, nongovernmental, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to address resource management. Sustainable natural resource management includes enhanced management of natural resources for one or more objectives, such as conserving biodiversity, sustaining soil or water resources, mitigating climate change, or promoting sustainable agriculture.
7 awards made directly to local organizations

(Crosscutting Indicator) USAID is increasing the number of awards made to local partners in order to strengthen country capacity by including local players alongside international donors, multi-lateral organizations, corporate investors, and non-governmental organizations. Strengthening local organizations will help USAID provide high quality development assistance to and through local systems to contribute towards increased sustainability and improved aid effectiveness.
7 percentage of operating unit (USAID Mission or Bureau) funds given to local organizations

(Crosscutting Indicator) USAID is increasing the amount of funds it gives to local organizations to strengthen country capacity by including local players alongside international donors, multi-lateral organizations, corporate investors, and non-governmental organizations. Strengthening local organizations will help USAID provide high quality development assistance to and through local systems to contribute towards increased sustainability and improved aid effectiveness. Because the U.S. Government can only give funds to organizations capable of managing those funds, an increased percentage in funds indicates higher capacity among local organizations.
7 improved laws, policies, regulations, or agreements related to pollution and urban environment drafted

Improved laws, policies, regulations, or agreements related to urban environment measures progress in improving the legal and regulatory environment related to pollution.

Illustrative results in 2012

1,038,785 hectares of biological significance under improved natural resource management
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved natural resource management includes activities that improve management of natural resources for the objective of conserving biodiversity in areas that are identified as biologically significant through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes. This is essential for preserving biodiversity and reducing impact of climate change.
5,256 hours of training completed in climate change

Training activities strengthen agency and in-country capacity, as well as promote strategic partnerships. They improve the likelihood that development partners will continue to implement climate change projects after U.S. government support has ended, as well as increase the likelihood that agency staff will program climate change funds effectively for maximum impact.
63 percent of awards with organizational capacity development objectives or activities that require reporting on capacity development metrics on a regular basis

(Crosscutting Indicator) By requiring recipients to report on progress towards strengthening capacity on a regular (at least annual) basis, USAID is improving the capacity of public, private, for profit, and not for profit organizations in recipient countries to improve their financial management and their success in meeting the needs of their constituents.
45 institutions with improved capacity to address climate change issues

Institutions with improved capacity will be better able to govern, coordinate, analyze, advise, or make decisions related to adaptation, clean energy, or sustainable landscapes.
18 stakeholders with increased capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate variability and change
Adaptive capacity is the ability to adjust to climate change, to moderate potential damages, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences.
10 percentage of operating unit (USAID Mission or Bureau) funds given to local organizations

(Crosscutting Indicator) USAID is increasing the amount of funds it gives to local organizations to strengthen country capacity by including local players alongside international donors, multi-lateral organizations, corporate investors, and non-governmental organizations. Strengthening local organizations will help USAID provide high quality development assistance to and through local systems to contribute towards increased sustainability and improved aid effectiveness. Because the U.S. Government can only give funds to organizations capable of managing those funds, an increased percentage in funds indicates higher capacity among local organizations.
2 awards made directly to local organizations

(Crosscutting Indicator) USAID is increasing the number of awards made to local partners in order to strengthen country capacity by including local players alongside international donors, multi-lateral organizations, corporate investors, and non-governmental organizations. Strengthening local organizations will help USAID provide high quality development assistance to and through local systems to contribute towards increased sustainability and improved aid effectiveness.

Illustrative results in 2013

1,188,322 hectares of biological significance under improved natural resource management
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved natural resource management includes activities that improve management of natural resources for the objective of conserving biodiversity in areas that are identified as biologically significant through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes. This is essential for preserving biodiversity and reducing impact of climate change.
25,226 hours of training completed in climate change

Training activities strengthen agency and in-country capacity, as well as promote strategic partnerships. They improve the likelihood that development partners will continue to implement climate change projects after U.S. government support has ended, as well as increase the likelihood that agency staff will program climate change funds effectively for maximum impact.
1,600 people trained in natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation
Natural resources and biodiversity conservation includes managing natural resources in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. Training includes sessions in which participants are educated according to a defined curriculum and set learning objectives in resource management and conservation.
82 institutions with improved capacity to address climate change issues

Institutions with improved capacity will be better able to govern, coordinate, analyze, advise, or make decisions related to adaptation, clean energy, or sustainable landscapes.
56 percent of awards with organizational capacity development objectives or activities that require reporting on capacity development metrics on a regular basis

(Crosscutting Indicator) By requiring recipients to report on progress towards strengthening capacity on a regular (at least annual) basis, USAID is improving the capacity of public, private, for profit, and not for profit organizations in recipient countries to improve their financial management and their success in meeting the needs of their constituents.
10 regional platforms created and/or strengthened
Transnational issues, such as wildlife trafficking and climate change, can be addressed by strengthening regional institutions and networks that share knowledge and replicate best practices.
3.1 percentage of operating unit (USAID Mission or Bureau) funds given to local organizations

(Crosscutting Indicator) USAID is increasing the amount of funds it gives to local organizations to strengthen country capacity by including local players alongside international donors, multi-lateral organizations, corporate investors, and non-governmental organizations. Strengthening local organizations will help USAID provide high quality development assistance to and through local systems to contribute towards increased sustainability and improved aid effectiveness. Because the U.S. Government can only give funds to organizations capable of managing those funds, an increased percentage in funds indicates higher capacity among local organizations.
2 awards made directly to local organizations

(Crosscutting Indicator) USAID is increasing the number of awards made to local partners in order to strengthen country capacity by including local players alongside international donors, multi-lateral organizations, corporate investors, and non-governmental organizations. Strengthening local organizations will help USAID provide high quality development assistance to and through local systems to contribute towards increased sustainability and improved aid effectiveness.
USAID Asia Coral Triangle Initiative #7 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, September 30, 2011. Through cutting edge tools coupled

USAID Asia Coral Triangle Initiative #7 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, September 30, 2011. Through cutting edge tools coupled with traditional knowledge systems, the Coral Triangle Initiative is helping people living within its six member countries sustain its biodiversity despite climate change threats

Credit: US CTI Support Program

View the "Real Lives, Real Progress" infographic (PDF, 1.13MB)​

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