The German Fast-Start Finance Contribution

Germany exceeded its Fast-Start Finance (FSF) pledge for 2010-2012, providing EUR 1.29 billion for climate action in developing countries. The funding was split roughly evenly between bilateral and multilateral channels, with a primary focus on mitigation (45%) and REDD+ (26%), while adaptation received 28%. Most resources were allocated to Africa (34%) and Asia (29%). Germany is noted for publishing a specific definition of "new and additional" finance, counting funds committed above a 2009 baseline or generated via EU ETS auctioning revenues. The paper recommends increasing adaptation support, improving reporting on actual disbursements, and diversifying funding sources beyond emission-trading revenues.

• Germany exceeded its self-defined Fast-Start Finance (FSF) pledge for the 2010-2012 period, delivering a total of EUR 1.29 billion (approximately USD 1.7 billion).
• FSF funding was distributed nearly equally between bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with the World Bank-administered Climate Technology Fund (CTF) serving as the largest single channel, receiving EUR 375 million.
• Thematic allocation of FSF primarily favored mitigation (45%) and reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (26%), with adaptation receiving 28%, which was less than the initial target of 33%.
• Geographically, the majority of German FSF was directed toward Africa (34%) and Asia (29%), with a significant portion of adaptation finance (60%) going to African countries, Least Developed Countries, and Small Island Developing States.
• Germany utilizes a specific definition of "new and additional" finance, counting only funds committed above a 2009 Official Development Assistance (ODA) baseline or those generated from EU ETS auctioning revenues.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). The German Fast-Start Finance Contribution. https://www.wri.org/research/german-fast-start-finance-contribution

Chicago

World Resources Institute. The German Fast-Start Finance Contribution. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/german-fast-start-finance-contribution.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=The German Fast-Start Finance Contribution |url=https://www.wri.org/research/german-fast-start-finance-contribution |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendgerman, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{The German Fast-Start Finance Contribution}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/german-fast-start-finance-contribution}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }