Australian response to the environment in development Environmental sustainability is a critical issue that cuts across the development process. Australia's aid program promotes environmentally sustainable development in three ways. By ensuring that possible impacts on the environment are adequately assessed and managed in the design and implementation of all aid activities By funding projects that directly target environmental issues. The aid program invests in natural resource management, renewable energy, waste management, water resource planning and management, water supplies and sanitation, sustainable agriculture, conservation and capacity building. By supporting the efforts of international and regional organisations addressing global environmental problems. These organisations include the Global Environment Facility, the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund, the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Tropical Timber Organisation and the South Pacific Regional Environment Program. Over 70 percent of Australia's contributions to the GEF supports climate change related activities or activities aimed at conserving biodiversity. Contents Case Studies Environment facts Background The global agenda Other useful resources More links   © Commonwealth of Australia