Green Climate Fund A Primer

The Green Climate Fund (GCF), an operating entity of the UNFCCC, aims to support low-emission and climate-resilient development in developing countries. It operates through a 24-member Board divided equally between developed and developing nations and distributes funds via 'Accredited Entities' rather than directly. The fund maintains a 50/50 aspirational split between adaptation and mitigation, with half of adaptation funds targeted at particularly vulnerable countries. However, the document highlights concerns regarding the lack of an explicit exclusion list for fossil fuels, the potential for funding 'false solutions', and the limited requirements for national designated authorities (NDAs) to engage with civil society and affected communities.

• The GCF is governed by a 24-seat Board evenly split between developed and developing countries, operating on a consensus basis. Two seats are specifically reserved for small island developing states and the least developed countries.
• The GCF does not fund projects directly; instead, it utilizes 'Accredited Entities' which can be public, private, national, regional, or multinational organizations, including NGOs.
• Funding is intended to be split equally between adaptation and mitigation. Of the adaptation portion, 50% is earmarked for 'particularly vulnerable' countries, including least developed countries, small island developing states, and African countries.
• The GCF lacks a formal exclusion list for technologies or activities, meaning it does not explicitly ban fossil fuels. There is a noted risk that the fund may finance 'false solutions' such as nuclear energy, biofuels, waste incineration, big dams, and 'climate smart agriculture'.
• National Designated Authorities (NDAs) are the primary in-country units responsible for recommending funding proposals. However, there are no minimum GCF requirements for NDAs to conduct multi-stakeholder engagement or implement Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
• As of September 30, 2015, 38 countries pledged US$10.2 billion over four years, with US$5.76 billion legally committed through signed agreements.
• The GCF uses the World Bank as its trustee and has established a Private Sector Facility (PSF) to finance private sector activities, though the specific roles of the PSF compared to the mitigation and adaptation windows remain undefined.

APA

Friends of the Earth International (2015). Green Climate Fund A Primer. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Green-climate-fund-EN.pdf

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. Green Climate Fund A Primer. 2015. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Green-climate-fund-EN.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=Green Climate Fund A Primer |date=November 2015 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Green-climate-fund-EN.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friendsoftheearthinternational2015green, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{Green Climate Fund A Primer}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2015}, month = nov, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Green-climate-fund-EN.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }