The 24th board meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) oversaw the allocation of an additional $407.8m to fighting the climate crisis, raising GCF’s total portfolio to $5.6bn. This includes new transformative initiatives in China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mozambique, Nepal, the Philippines and the State of Palestine. Combining co-financing by GCF’s funding partners, the newly approved projects will channel over $1.87bn to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience.
The three-day board meeting also approved seven new Accredited Entities, which propose and implement climate projects funded by GCF, bringing the total to 95. Among these are five direct access entities, adding to the 51 that provide national and regional channels to access GCF funds.
The board adopted an updated gender policy and gender action plan and a policy on co-financing. It also reviewed GCF’s updated Strategic Plan for the 2020-2023 programming period, which aims to deliver more ambitious impact for developing countries.
The allocation of new funding during the board meeting follows GCF’s first replenishment pledging conference in October. To date, 28 countries have pledged $9.78bn equivalent to fund climate action over the next four years.
Co-Chair Nagmeldin Goutbi Elhassan Mahmoud said: “The influx of replenishment funds will help GCF to meet the growing demand for both adaptation and mitigation initiatives aimed at countering the climate challenge. By approving a range of new projects, this successful board meeting – our last as Co-chairs – helps to meet this need. Developing countries’ rising ambition, however, shows that much more can be done.”
Co-Chair Josceline Wheatley said: “The expansion of GCF’s portfolio to include more than 100 countries is a milestone, wrapping up the Fund’s first four years of operations. As I prepare to step down as Co-Chair and reflect on GCF’s achievements in 2019, I am confident the Green Climate Fund will further consolidate its role as a central player driving global climate action.”
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