Download the 23rd GCF insight today
We’ve just released the 23rd edition of our GCF insight series. In this latest edition, we explore what avenues the Green Climate Fund (GCF) can pursue in order to increase the amount of funding for adaptation projects. The basis of this report comes from the results gained from our 23rd GCF insight survey, conducted in June 2023 – consisting of survey questions and semi-structured interviews with climate and development professionals – with responses from project developers, National Designated Authorities, Accredited Entities, consultants, CSOs, and those working on GCF project and programme development.
About GCF insight
Our initial survey and report is an initiative of E Co., emerging from work we are doing to develop low-carbon, climate-resilient projects. E Co’s team of consultants designed and administered the survey which was used to inform and prepare this report. E Co. has conducted this research independently and is not affiliated with the GCF, the GCF Secretariat or donors. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not represent those of the Green Climate Fund. Nothing in the interviews or any information or material relating thereto shall be construed as implying any official endorsement of or responsibility on the part of the Green Climate Fund.
About E Co.
This research is being conducted by E Co., a specialist consulting firm, as part of our learning resources from our training division, E Co. institute. E Co. is conducting this research independently, and is not affiliated with the Green Climate Fund, the GCF Secretariat or other donors. E Co. is not approaching survey participants for sales purposes, nor will participants’ names be added to other email lists. Find out more about the reports in our GCF insight section.
Why did we choose GCF adaptation projects as the focus of our analysis?
Adaptation and the resilience-building measures it creates are crucial to combatting climate change, enabling affected communities to increase their resilience to the extreme weather events already being experienced around the globe. Yet, even with the current, devastating impacts of climate change, adaptation typically receives far less attention, and funding, than mitigation measures.
Research from the OECD reveals finance flows achieved only USD $83.2 billion in 2020 [1]. While adaptation finance has increased year on year, from USD $16.9 billion in 2018 to USD $20.3 billion in 2019, and then to USD $28.6 billion in 2020, it still pales in comparison to the USD $48.6 billion for mitigation [2].
The GCF operates with the mandate to deliver a 50/50 split of its finance to adaptation and mitigation projects. However, of the total GCF-committed funding (USD 12 billion) currently allocated, 60% goes to mitigation and 40% to adaptation (USD 7.2 billion versus USD 4.8 billion) [3].
Adaptation is arguably incredibly important for climate-vulnerable communities across the globe. The purpose of this report was to discover what climate and development professionals judged to be the most promising avenues for increasing the amount of fully-funded adaptation projects.
Key findings on GCF adaptation projects
Here’s a small sampling of the insights covered in the report:
- One major challenge to gaining funding for adaptation projects is the difficulties in securing and/or communicating the return on investment in projects;
- Adaptation projects suffer from a myriad of issues that make them appear less attractive to funders;
- However, there are several potential solutions that address these issues, as suggested by our survey respondents.
References
- OECD. 2022. Climate Finance and the USD 100 Billion Goal. Available at – https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/finance-and-investment/aggregate-trends-of-climate-finance-provided-and-mobilised-by-developed-countries-in-2013-2020
- Ibid.
- GCF, 2023. Approved projects. Available at – https://www.greenclimate.fund/projects