Equity in Adaptation Finance

Under the Paris Agreement, high-income countries pledged $100 billion annually to support climate action in low-income countries, with at least half dedicated to climate adaptation. It is increasingly clear, however, that this funding has failed to reach the most vulnerable countries and communities.

In an attempt to improve equity and localise adaptation, the Green Climate Fund is experimenting with new decentralised models that devolve greater decision-making authority to national and sub-national levels. By launching an “Enhanced Direct Access” (EDA) programme, the Green Climate Fund gives greater decision-making authority to actors at national levels. The programme is often seen as an “ideal” for what decentralised adaptation finance could look like.

Researchers will investigate two pilot projects funded through the Green Climate Fund’s EDA programme in Namibia and in Antigua and Barbuda, to test whether and how decentralised adaptation finance leads to more equitable adaptation.

Expected results

The analysis of the first EDA programs through the Equity in Adaptation Finance project provides an early opportunity to examine the potential of decentralised models to facilitate more equitable and locally led adaptation.

The project also brings together Global South and North researchers in project co-development and implementation, seeking to contribute to improving equity in international climate finance, therefore enabling access to support that enhances sustainable development in vulnerable and marginalised communities.

Partner

Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI)

University of Namibia