Katowice, Poland (December 12, 2018) — In a resounding endorsement of its impactful work supporting the most vulnerable nations, the Adaptation Fund has achieved an unprecedented milestone. At the COP 24 climate change conference, contributing governments pledged a record-setting sum of approximately US$ 129 million. This remarkable financial commitment underscores the growing global urgency for adaptation finance and recognizes the Fund’s effectiveness in delivering tangible climate solutions on the ground.
This year’s Contributor Dialogue witnessed pledges from nine governments, including welcome contributions from first-time donors. The total sum surpassed the Fund’s previous single-year record of US$ 95.9 million, signaling a significant increase in ambition and support for adaptation action. Germany led the way with a substantial 70 million EUR commitment, followed by France (15 million EUR), Italy (7 million EUR), and Sweden (50 million SEK). Belgium’s Walloon Region (4 million EUR) and Brussels-Capital Region (465,000 EUR) also contributed, alongside first-time pledges from the European Commission (10 million EUR) and New Zealand (NZ$ 3 million). Ireland later added to the momentum with a 300,000 EUR contribution. Beyond financial pledges, recipient governments, implementing partners, and civil society representatives shared compelling success stories illustrating the real-world impact of Adaptation Fund projects.
Patricia Espinosa, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, emphasized the critical context for this increased funding. She highlighted the record demand facing the Fund, with project requests reaching US$ 264 million for a single Board meeting, alongside its proven track record in vulnerable communities. “We need to see greater ambition,” Espinosa stated, underscoring the Fund’s crucial role in bridging the adaptation finance gap. She praised its pioneering Direct Access approach, empowering developing countries to take ownership of adaptation efforts. “Most importantly it’s about the people, societies and ecosystems that support them. The Adaptation Fund needs more support. Let’s do all we can to ensure the vision, energy and imagination embodied by the Adaptation Fund continues well into the future.”
Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji and COP 23 President, echoed the call for scaled-up climate finance. He lauded the Fund’s project in Fiji, which assists vulnerable communities in adapting to climate change and disaster risks. “The Fund has been successful, including in Fiji,” he affirmed. “Many more projects need to be funded, not just in Fiji, but all over the world to communities in need.”
The significant increase in pledges reflects a growing global recognition of the Adaptation Fund’s effective operations and the urgent need for adaptation finance. Germany’s substantial 70 million EUR donation, the largest single contribution to date, demonstrates strong confidence in the Fund. Dr. Karsten Sach, Director General, Climate Policy, European and International Policy, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of Germany, cited independent evaluations affirming the Fund’s efficiency, effectiveness, and relevance.
Sweden, a consistent supporter, pledged 50 million SEK, emphasizing the immediate reality of climate change impacts. H.E. Ms. Karolina Skog, Minister for the Environment, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Sweden, stated, “The issue of adaptation is high on our agenda. We hope that our pledge of support sends a clear signal that Sweden stands in solidarity with people and countries particularly affected by climate change. We hope that this pledge will contribute to a positive momentum. The Adaptation Fund plays an important role in climate finance, not least by spearheading the Direct Access Modality, which has proven immensely valuable to build crucial national capacity. Sweden’s objective is to make the Adaptation Fund an integral part of the financial architecture of the Paris Agreement. And we highly appreciate the efforts made by the Adaptation Fund to mainstream gender into project design and implementation.”
France’s 15 million EUR contribution, announced by Mr. Adrien Zakhartchouk, Head of Climate, Environment and Agriculture at the French Treasury, underscored adaptation as a core pillar of the Paris Agreement. “We want to demonstrate our support to adaptation,” he stated, highlighting the Fund’s catalytic effects, Direct Access approach, and country ownership model.
The European Commission’s first-time contribution of 10 million EUR marks a significant expansion of the donor base. Mr. Mauro Petriccione, Director General of Climate Action for the European Commission, affirmed Europe’s commitment to supporting vulnerable developing countries and expressed confidence in COP24’s role in strengthening the Fund. Adaptation Fund Manager Mikko Ollikainen hailed this contribution as “the first climate finance contribution by the Commission to any climate fund under the UNFCCC and is a great recognition of the Fund’s work.”
New Zealand’s inaugural pledge of NZ$ 3 million further broadened the Fund’s support, marking the first contribution from outside Europe. H.E. Mr. James Shaw, Climate Change Minister of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, emphasized the Adaptation Fund’s vital role in providing small-scale adaptation finance, particularly for the Pacific region. Anna Broadhurst, Head of New Zealand’s Delegation to COP24, reiterated their support for the Fund’s unique niche and its frontline work in climate adaptation.
Italy, another consistent donor, pledged 7 million EUR, with Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director General for Sustainable Development, Energy and Climate at the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land & Sea, recognizing the Fund’s positive impact: “We believe people in the Adaptation Fund are doing a very good job. The Adaptation Fund makes a very good difference,” he said.
Regional governments also reaffirmed their commitment, with the Walloon Region of Belgium pledging 4 million EUR and the Brussels Capital-Region of Belgium contributing 400,000 EUR. Ministers Jean-Luc Crucke and Céline Fremault emphasized their appreciation for the Fund’s focus on vulnerable populations and the importance of regional solidarity in climate action.
Ireland, building on its initial contribution last year, pledged 300,000 EUR. H.E. Mr. Richard Bruton, Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, highlighted Ireland’s strong support for adaptation action in developing countries and the Fund’s role in financing crucial projects.
Victor Viñas, Chair of the Adaptation Fund Board, expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support. “It says a lot about the trust the Fund has built up over the years for its effective adaptation work on the ground for the most vulnerable countries,” he noted. He emphasized the Fund’s pioneering Direct Access approach and its increasing demand, underscoring the urgency for long-term financial sustainability. “Last year, Kyoto Parties formally decided the Fund shall serve the Paris Agreement. We hope more positive decisions to follow, so the Fund can continue to build on its effective work and serve many more vulnerable countries with urgently needed adaptation solutions.”
Ollikainen concluded that the record-breaking pledges, donor numbers, and new contributors signify both the urgency of adaptation and the growing recognition of the Adaptation Fund’s effective, innovative, and tangible contributions to vulnerable communities.
Project examples further illustrated the Fund’s impact. H.E. Mr. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Environment in Rwanda, described a project transforming lives in northwest Rwanda through terracing, afforestation, and cave de-silting. Le-Anne Roper from Jamaica highlighted a Direct Access project empowering agricultural communities through water and land management. Elin Lorimer of INDIGO in South Africa showcased projects empowering local communities and reducing climate risks, particularly for women farmers.
About the Adaptation Fund
Since 2010, the Adaptation Fund has committed US$ 532 million to 80 concrete adaptation projects in vulnerable communities, directly benefiting 5.8 million people. The Fund’s pioneering Direct Access modality strengthens national capacities and promotes country ownership in climate change adaptation.
Communications: Matthew Pueschel, [email protected] or +1-202-473-6743
