In a powerful demonstration of commitment to climate action, the Adaptation Fund has achieved an unprecedented milestone, securing nearly US$129 million in new pledges. This record-breaking mobilization of resources, roughly equivalent to €129 million, underscores the growing global urgency for adaptation finance and recognizes the Fund’s effective work in supporting the most vulnerable nations. The announcement, made at the Contributor Dialogue during the COP 24 climate change conference in Katowice, Poland, signifies a major step forward in global adaptation efforts.
Unprecedented Support for Adaptation Finance
The Contributor Dialogue on December 11th at COP 24 witnessed a surge of financial commitments to the Adaptation Fund. Nine contributor governments, including two new contributors, pledged a total of approximately US$ 129 million. This remarkable figure surpasses the Fund’s previous single-year record of US$ 95.9 million, set just the year before, highlighting a significant increase in global ambition for adaptation finance.
Leading the charge, Germany pledged a substantial 70 million EUR, marking the largest single donation in the Fund’s history. France followed with a significant 15 million EUR commitment, while Italy contributed 7 million EUR. Sweden reaffirmed its strong support with 50 million SEK, and the Walloon Region of Belgium added 4 million EUR. The Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium contributed 465,000 EUR, and Ireland later announced 300,000 EUR. Notably, the European Commission and New Zealand joined as first-time contributors, pledging 10 million EUR and NZ$ 3 million, respectively, further broadening the Fund’s donor base and geographical reach.
This influx of funds, totaling around US$ 129 million – approximately equivalent to 129 million euros – is a testament to the international community’s growing recognition of the critical need for adaptation measures in vulnerable countries. The contributions were warmly received by recipient governments, national implementing partners, and civil society representatives, who shared compelling success stories from Fund-supported projects during the dialogue.
Voices of Support: Urgency and Impact
Patricia Espinosa, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, set the stage for the dialogue by acknowledging the record demand placed on the Fund, with project requests reaching an unprecedented US$ 264 million for the last Board meeting alone. She emphasized the Fund’s crucial role in bridging the adaptation gap and its pioneering approach through Direct Access, empowering developing countries to take ownership of their adaptation strategies. “We need to see greater ambition,” Espinosa stated, underscoring the Fund’s importance in supporting vulnerable communities and ecosystems. She urged continued support to ensure the Fund’s vision and effectiveness persist into the future.
H.E. Mr. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji and COP 23 President, echoed this call for scaled-up climate finance. He lauded the Fund’s successful projects in Fiji, assisting vulnerable settlements in adapting to climate and disaster risks. “The Fund has been successful, including in Fiji,” he affirmed, stressing the urgent need to fund many more projects globally to support communities in need.
Donor Perspectives: Quality, Effectiveness, and Innovation
Dr. Karsten Sach, Director General, Climate Policy, European and International Policy, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of Germany, highlighted the quality and effectiveness of the Fund’s work, referencing recent independent evaluations that affirmed its efficiency, effectiveness, and relevance. Germany’s significant 70 million EUR donation, the largest ever, reflects their strong confidence in the Fund’s operational excellence and impactful outcomes.
Sweden’s Minister for the Environment, H.E. Ms. Karolina Skog, emphasized the urgency of adaptation in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Sweden’s 50 million SEK pledge, approximately equivalent to a substantial amount in euros and USD, signals their solidarity with climate-vulnerable nations. Minister Skog praised the Adaptation Fund’s pioneering Direct Access Modality for building crucial national capacity and expressed Sweden’s objective to integrate the Fund into the Paris Agreement’s financial architecture. She also commended the Fund’s efforts to mainstream gender considerations into project design and implementation.
Mr. Adrien Zakhartchouk, Head of Climate, Environment and Agriculture at the French Treasury, underscored adaptation as a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement. France’s 15 million EUR contribution, a significant sum in both euro to usd conversion and its direct impact, demonstrates their strong support for the Fund’s beneficiaries, Direct Access approach, country ownership principles, and effective governance.
Mr. Mauro Petriccione, Director General of Climate Action for the European Commission, emphasized Europe’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable developing countries. The European Commission’s first-time contribution of 10 million EUR to the Adaptation Fund signifies a strong endorsement of the Fund’s work and its potential for scaling up impact. Adaptation Fund Manager Mikko Ollikainen hailed this contribution as a significant recognition of the Fund’s achievements, marking the Commission’s first climate finance contribution to any fund under the UNFCCC.
New Zealand’s first-time contribution of NZ$ 3 million, articulated by H.E. Mr. James Shaw, Climate Change Minister, highlights the Fund’s growing global appeal beyond Europe. Minister Shaw recognized the Adaptation Fund as a vital source of small-scale adaptation finance, particularly for the Pacific region, underscoring New Zealand’s commitment to the Fund’s viability and future role within the Paris Agreement framework. Ms. Anna Broadhurst, Head of New Zealand’s Delegation to COP24, reiterated their support for the Fund’s unique niche in the climate finance landscape and its frontline work in assisting communities to adapt to climate change.
Italy’s consistent support was reaffirmed with a 7 million EUR pledge. Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director General for Sustainable Development, Energy and Climate at the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land & Sea, commended the Adaptation Fund’s effective work and tangible positive impact.
Regional governments also demonstrated strong commitment, with the Walloon Region of Belgium pledging 4 million EUR and the Brussels Capital-Region of Belgium contributing 400,000 EUR. H.E. Mr. Jean-Luc Crucke, Minister for the Walloon Region, praised the Fund’s dedication to vulnerable populations and the spirit of regional solidarity. H.E. Ms. Céline Fremault, Minister for the Brussels Capital-Region, highlighted the Fund’s crucial role in serving the most vulnerable countries and its innovative Direct Access modality.
Ireland’s continued support with a 300,000 EUR contribution, as announced by H.E. Mr. Richard Bruton, Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, reinforces their commitment to adaptation action in developing countries and the Adaptation Fund’s vital role in this endeavor.
Testimonials from the Ground: Projects in Action
Victor Viñas, Chair of the Adaptation Fund Board, expressed immense gratitude for the outpouring of support, emphasizing the trust the Fund has cultivated through its effective adaptation work and pioneering Direct Access approach. He highlighted the Fund’s unprecedented demand and the urgent need for long-term financial sustainability, particularly as it is now designated to serve the Paris Agreement. Viñas expressed hope for continued positive decisions to enable the Fund to expand its reach and impact in vulnerable countries.
Ollikainen emphasized that the record-breaking donations, donor numbers, and new contributors reflect both the urgency of adaptation and the growing recognition of the Fund’s effective, innovative, and concrete work on the ground for the most vulnerable.
Brief presentations during the dialogue showcased the tangible impact of Adaptation Fund projects. H.E. Mr. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Environment in Rwanda, shared how a Fund project in northwest Rwanda transformed lives and restored flooded farmlands through measures like terracing and afforestation. Ms. Le-Anne Roper, from Jamaica, highlighted a Direct Access project empowering agricultural communities through improved water and land management. Ms. Elin Lorimer, representing INDIGO in South Africa, discussed an Enhanced Direct Access project empowering local communities and another project reducing flood and drought risks and enhancing resilience among local farmers, with a strong focus on women’s participation.
About the Adaptation Fund
Since 2010, the Adaptation Fund has committed US$ 532 million to 80 concrete adaptation projects in vulnerable communities across developing countries, directly benefiting 5.8 million people. The Fund’s pioneering Direct Access modality empowers national entities and fosters country ownership in climate change adaptation, setting a benchmark for effective and locally-driven climate finance.
