$80M Fundraising Goal, Family Agriculture and Francophonie Events among Key Adaptation Fund Activities Planned for COP22

$80M Fundraising Goal, Family Agriculture and Francophonie Events Among Key Adaptation Fund Activities Planned for COP22

Multimedia Exhibit, Advancing Paris Agreement Inclusion Highlight Other Pivotal Adaptation Fund COP22 Programmes

Washington, D.C. (November 3, 2016) —The Adaptation Fund heads to the COP22 Climate Conference in Marrakech on solid ground with a growing pipeline of projects, and clear goals to take another positive step toward serving the Paris Agreement while meeting a US$ 80 million fundraising minimum target by the end of the year.

The Fund will participate in an array of activities that feature its pioneering Direct Access modality and updates about projects on the ground from its implementing entities around the globe during COP22, which takes place in Marrakech, Morocco November 7-18.

The conference will ride the tide of the early entry into force of the landmark Paris Agreement, which was adopted at last year’s COP21 Climate Conference. The world’s first comprehensive treaty to address global warming, it received enough support to become international law on November 4 after at least 55 countries covering 55% of global emissions joined the pact over the last several months (72 countries accounting for 57% of emissions signed thru early October). This will help speed action on the Agreement when 197 countries convene in Marrakech. The Paris Agreement also strengthened the importance of adaptation among climate finance needs.

COP22 marks a pivotal moment for the Adaptation Fund, as well. It was included in the Paris Agreement, recognizing that the Fund may serve the Agreement subject to a process that is already underway and will continue in Marrakech. It is critical that another positive step is taken during COP22 to move this process forward. At the same time, the Fund has targeted a minimum of US$ 80 million as its fundraising goal for COP22 through the end of the year.

“With a US$ 200 million project pipeline, the Fund remains in high demand. For the second straight year, it received a record amount of requested funding for proposals,” said Adaptation Fund Board Chair Naresh Sharma. “So it is pivotal that another step toward long-term financial sustainability for the Fund is taken at COP22 by moving the Fund’s inclusion in the Agreement forward, while also continuing to secure generous contributions from our donors. This will help us meet urgent and growing climate adaptation needs of developing countries now and later on.”

The Fund’s key events at COP22 include:

• A side event November 10 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm in Pacific Observer Room 2 to highlight country experiences in implementing Adaptation Fund projects on the theme of family, community and sustainable agriculture;
• A multimedia exhibit running throughout COP22 showcasing photos of Fund projects, and videos on the importance of gender in Adaptation Fund projects and an innovative water management project in Morocco;
• An event co-hosted with the Institut de la Francophonie pour le Développement Durable (IFDD) November 8 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm in the Francophone Pavilion that will gather countries and Fund project implementers from French-speaking countries to discuss the Fund’s role in implementing the Paris Agreement and its complementarity with other climate funds;
• Participation in the UNFCCC Gender Day class on access to climate finance, among other activities, events and speeches.

“The Fund has a growing and important role in the international climate space. We need to accelerate the positive momentum gained in Paris and scale up our collective climate actions during COP22,” said Interim Manager of the Adaptation Fund Board secretariat Mikko Ollikainen.

Funding small-scale replicable and scalable concrete adaptation projects for the most vulnerable communities in developing countries form the hallmark of the Fund, and give it a valuable role in the global climate finance landscape. It pioneered Direct Access – which gives developing countries the opportunity to access climate finance and develop adaptation projects directly through accredited national implementing entities while building their own capacity to adapt to climate change.

The Fund now has 43 accredited entities capable of implementing projects across the globe. Of those, 25 are national implementing entities under Direct Access — with about 40% in least developed countries and small island developing states.

An Independent Evaluation last year showed the Fund to be effective, efficient and relevant, as well as a learning institution through its innovative programs. Its environmental, social and gender policies have been ahead of the curve in promoting human rights, gender equality, conservation and vulnerable groups while its alternative streamlined accreditation process has opened doors to climate finance for smaller countries suffering from climate change. The Fund’s popular Pilot Program for Regional Projects also helps address climate change issues that cross borders.

ABOUT the ADAPTATION FUND

Since 2010, the Adaptation Fund has committed US $357.5 million to support 55 concrete, localized climate adaptation and resilience projects in 48 countries, with more than 3.6 million direct beneficiaries.

Communications: Matthew Pueschel, mpueschel@adaptation-fund.org or +1 202 473 6743

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