2017-6-29-adaptation-v-development-letter-to-gcf-21ae9ce90058dfa8.pdf

The document argues that the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board is creating an artificial distinction between 'development' and 'adaptation', which hinders the approval of funding for Least Developed Countries. The authors contend that effective adaptation must address underlying socioeconomic vulnerabilities—such as livelihood diversification and public health—rather than focusing solely on quantifiable technological infrastructure. They call for the GCF to move toward programmatic approaches and require a 'theory of change' from project proponents to link activities to enhanced resilience.

• The distinction between 'development' and 'adaptation' is described as 'largely artificial' because vulnerability to climate change is 'highly correlated with development deficits'.
• The GCF Board has shown a preference for 'technological approaches to adaptation' that are 'easily quantifiable', such as climate-proofing and early warning systems, over activities that increase adaptive capacity and decrease human vulnerability.
• Appropriate adaptation interventions may include 'development activities' such as improving women's rights, education, public health initiatives, food security, and livelihood diversification.
• The authors suggest that the GCF should require project proponents to provide an 'explicit theory of change' to connect activities to resilience and should utilize expertise from other funds like the Adaptation Fund, Global Environment Facility, and Least Developed Countries Fund.
• The GCF is urged to adopt 'programmatic approaches' and fund the 'full cost' of interventions rather than focusing on 'incremental cost financing' to effectively reduce vulnerability.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2017). 2017-6-29-adaptation-v-development-letter-to-gcf-21ae9ce90058dfa8.pdf. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-6-29-Adaptation-v-Development-Letter-to-GCF.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. 2017-6-29-adaptation-v-development-letter-to-gcf-21ae9ce90058dfa8.pdf. 2017. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-6-29-Adaptation-v-Development-Letter-to-GCF.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=2017-6-29-adaptation-v-development-letter-to-gcf-21ae9ce90058dfa8.pdf |date=28 June 2017 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-6-29-Adaptation-v-Development-Letter-to-GCF.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw20172017629adaptationvdevelopmentlettertogcf21ae9ce90058dfa8pdf, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{2017-6-29-adaptation-v-development-letter-to-gcf-21ae9ce90058dfa8.pdf}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2017}, month = jun, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-6-29-Adaptation-v-Development-Letter-to-GCF.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }