GCF insight #32

Climate change is eroding the very systems people depend on to survive and recover: their health services, their water and sanitation, and the social protection that catches them when shocks arrive. However,  the financing response has not matched the need. Only 0.5 per cent of multilateral climate finance has reached health systems (WHO, 2023), and within the GCF, health, WASH and social protection have tended to sit at the margins of a portfolio that favours hard infrastructure.

This 32nd GCF insight examines how climate finance can more deliberately support resilience across this interconnected nexus. It explores how health systems, WASH, and adaptive social protection are currently treated in GCF programming, what the evolving policy environment means for project design, and why a people-centred investment pathway is both justified by the evidence and demanded by the scale of need. It also highlights what inclusion requires in practice for women, Indigenous Peoples, climate migrants and refugees, and communities living in fragile, conflict-affected, and informal settlement contexts.

Drawing on E Co’s consultancy experience, a desk review of GCF policy and the GCF-FAO 2025 joint review, case studies spanning Togo, Vanuatu, Mozambique, and Central and West Asia, and in-depth interviews with practitioners across GCF-accredited entities, Direct Access Entities, and the GCF Secretariat, the report sets out how the Fund can move from ad hoc engagement with these areas toward an integrated, measurable, people-centred strategy.

GCF insight #31

Welcome to your 31st GCF insight report – Rethinking capacity building models for climate finance readiness.

Capacity building sits at the heart of international climate finance. Multilateral funds have long recognised that financial resources alone cannot deliver climate outcomes without competent institutions capable of planning, coordinating, and executing complex investment programmes. Significant investment has been made in training, technical assistance, and readiness support to build that foundation. However, a significant hurdle continues to hold things back: while training is being delivered, the conditions to make it stay and translate to more projects aren’t fully present.

Annual report: 2025

Looking back on our 25th anniversary, our Annual report for 2025 captures a year of high-quality delivery, growth and impact against a volatile global market. Inside, you’ll find highlights from across our portfolio, including key projects, stories and data, coupled with progress against our strategic priorities.

From supporting our clients to mobilising millions in climate finance this year, our Year in review 2025 shows how E Co. is helping shape more low-carbon, climate-resilient and inclusive futures. See how our work is brought to life and learn where we are creating value both for today, and the years ahead.

White paper

Welcome to E Co’s new White paper – Bridging the investability gap: Mobilising private capital for a resilient future The global climate finance gap is measured in the trillions. While trillions in private capital exist, it remains largely out of reach for high-impact adaptation and resilience projects. The central challenge is not a lack of […]

GCF insight #30

This is our 30th edition of our GCF insight report, entitled ‘Bridging the gap: Unlocking more effective collaboration between the GCF and the private sector’. This report seeks to explore the following questions: What does it take for private sector projects to successfully access GCF funding, and which systemic barriers, if any, are they still facing?

The report provides a clear overview of the actual process private sector actors go through when seeking GCF funding, making this pathway more accessible. Additionally, it highlights key trends in GCF financing aimed at better supporting private sector application processes.

GCF insight #29

Welcome to your 29th GCF insight report – The role of stakeholder mobilisation in transforming cities sustainably. Cities are central to both the causes of and solutions to climate change. As hubs of human activity and economic power, they generate up to 80% of global GDP, but also account for the majority of global greenhouse […]

GCF insight #28

28th GCF insight – Climate finance and collaborative networks: catalysing socio-ecological innovation for transformative change.

GCF insight #27

The mobilisation and effective use of climate finance is crucial to address the impacts of climate change, particularly for the most vulnerable. While global climate finance flows have increased significantly, they remain insufficient to meet the urgent needs of addressing climate change. The Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance suggests that emerging markets and developing countries (excluding China) will require around USD 2.4 trillion annually by 2030 to meet climate and nature goals – four times current global investment levels.

GCF insight #26

Within the pages of this comprehensive report, you’ll delve into the findings of our latest survey, hear from the experiences of on-the-ground SIDS representatives and experienced consultants, and gain insights into the transformative power of innovative climate finance solutions.