Adaptation Fund Surpasses COP22 Fundraising Goal with US$ 81 Million in New Contributions

Germany, Sweden, Italy and Flanders Join Wallonia with Pledge Announcements During Contributor Dialogue

Marrakech, Morocco (November 17, 2016) – The Adaptation Fund surpassed its 2016 resource mobilization target of US$ 80 million at the COP22 climate conference with official announcements of strong new contributions from Germany (EUR 50 million), Sweden (SEK 100 million), Italy (EUR 5 million) and the Flanders region (EUR 6.25 million) of Belgium during the Fund’s Contributor Dialogue today.

Together with the Walloon Region of Belgium, which announced a new EUR 3.25 million contribution for the Fund yesterday, the pledges amount to approximately US$ 81 million.

The generous international support for the Fund validates its effective concrete adaptation projects in vulnerable communities and its pioneering work on Direct Access, which gives developing countries the opportunity to access finance and develop projects directly through accredited national implementing entities (NIEs) while building their own capacity to adapt to climate change.

“We are extremely pleased and grateful for these new contributions, which have allowed the Fund to exceed its fundraising target,” said Adaptation Fund Board Chair Naresh Sharma. “It demonstrates a broad base of dedicated support. These countries and regions have also contributed to the Fund in previous years, showing their commitment to adaptation.”

“Climate change is of the utmost importance for the Swedish government. The issue of adaptation is high on the agenda. We hope this new contribution will spur other donors to come forward,” said H.E. Isabella Lövin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate of Sweden, which has been one of the earliest contributors to the Fund. “It’s important to show this strong commitment and leadership.”

Lövin praised the Adaptation Fund’s “important role in climate finance” and its Direct Access modality that builds national capacities and ensures country ownership.  She also commended its gender policy and action plan, which Sweden strongly supported and promotes equal access to resources across the Fund’s projects. “Gender equality is crucial to achieve climate change adaptation,” she advised.

Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of Germany, the Fund’s largest donor, said adaptation is “absolutely essential” for vulnerable countries and many other countries in the world. “The Adaptation Fund and financing for adaptation is of the utmost importance,” he said. “Direct Access is very important for many recipient countries. It’s a frontrunner for future cooperation.”

Flasbarth also noted an independent evaluation of the Fund last year that showed it to be operational, effective, efficient, sustainable, and an innovative learning institution. “I think that’s the best note you can get,” he said.

H.E. Gian Luca Galletti, Minister of the Environment of Italy, said adaptation is an issue that affects everyone, both rich and poorer countries and must be addressed together. “Last year we contributed to the Fund for the first time. We are going to increase it by another 5 million Euros because we think this is a strong and effective response to climate change,” he said.

H.E. Joke Schauvliege, Flemish Minister for Environment, Nature and Agriculture for the Flanders region of Belgium, said it was especially fitting for the positive announcement to take place in Marrakech. “It was here in Marrakech 15 years ago that the Adaptation Fund was established,” she said. “Recognizing the broad international commitment to the Fund’s concrete work to help vulnerable communities in developing countries build climate resilience, Flanders provides its support with this substantial contribution to the countries who need it the most to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.”

“We greatly appreciate all of these generous contributions and are very thankful,” said Adaptation Fund Interim Manager Mikko Ollikainen. “They will help us reach more vulnerable communities in developing countries with urgently needed adaptation solutions.”

H.E. Sergio Bergman, Minister of the Environment of Argentina, spoke of the Fund’s two concrete projects in Argentina to help smallholder farmers in climate-vulnerable areas. He also valued the Fund’s accreditation of Argentina’s NIE, UCAR, in helping the country build its capacity to adapt, as well as the Fund’s environmental and social standards which promote human rights, gender equality, biodiversity conservation and vulnerable groups. “The Adaptation Fund not only allows developing countries to access resources to meet their adaptation needs, it strengthens our systems and procedures,” he said.

Marcia Levaggi, Director General of Environmental Affairs in Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called the collective contributions “excellent news”.  “It’s something very positive for this Fund and it shows with the commitment for the Fund that money for adaptation is needed. Countries have urgent adaptation needs that need to be addressed. It’s also in the Paris Agreement, which calls for a balance of financing for adaptation and mitigation,” she said.

The Contributor Dialogue also featured presentations from two of the Fund’s NIEs, who discussed results from Adaptation Fund projects in action.

Meryem Andaloussi, Head of the Environment Service for Morocco’s Agency for Agricultural Development, discussed a Direct Access project in Morocco to improve water management, ecosystem resilience and knowledge exchange for vulnerable populations in the oasis zone suffering from drought and water scarcity. It is rebuilding traditional systems of surface and underground water canals to enhance water flow for agricultural irrigation and community consumption. “The project will directly benefit around 40,000 people, secure the drinking water supply and reduce the cost of extraction, particularly during dry years. It helps with water security and 50% of beneficiaries are women and youth,” she said. “Direct Access allows the NIE to implement the project itself through building up its procedures. I would like to congratulate the Adaptation Fund and all donors, especially for supporting vulnerable communities and climate change adaptation.”

Ayman Cherkaoui, Special Advisor for Negotiations for Morocco’s COP22 Presidency, said the Morocco project is a great example of the Fund’s very effective work. He also cited the project’s work with gender in creating alternative livelihoods and additional products through women’s associations. “It’s a rich experience that has been gender sensitive,” he said. “This wide support for the Fund started on the very first day of COP22. I’m very proud to be on the podium with heroes of the Adaptation Fund and heroes of climate change adaptation. Adaptation action matters to a lot of Parties and as such should be pursued in the future.”

Marianella Feoli, Executive Director of Costa Rica’s NIE, Fundecooperacion para el Desarrollo Sostenible, spoke of a project funded by the Adaptation Fund in Costa Rica to reduce climate vulnerability across agriculture, water resources, and coastal zone management through training and technical assistance. It is implementing adaptation practices and weather systems for small farmers to reduce losses and increase water efficiency, working with indigenous communities to spread indigenous knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices, restoring mangroves in coastal areas, and improving rural aqueducts for communities that are vulnerable to drought. “We’re working in three main areas in vulnerable settings. This is giving us an opportunity to work on many levels,” she said. “Through the Adaptation Fund you can really see results and real changes. It is walking the talk. I hope there is still more support for the Fund both in the near and medium term. It also helps in networking and sharing practices and experiences among NIEs with Direct Access.”

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 3.7 million direct beneficiaries.

Communications: Matthew Pueschel, mpueschel@adaptation-fund.org

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