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Between 2010 and 2014, US$748 million in climate finance was committed to 15 Pacific SIDS, primarily as grants and delivered through bilateral channels. Adaptation received 59% of this funding, while 36% went to mitigation. The majority of support (86%) was project-based, with a strong focus on creating an 'enabling environment' for climate policy and planning.

Between 2010 and 2014, the Federated States of Micronesia received US$ 3.93 million in grant-equivalent finance specifically targeting climate change, with 99.4% (US$ 3.91 million) dedicated to adaptation. Australia was the primary source of this funding, with the largest allocations directed toward environmental research and disaster prevention and preparedness. Additionally, between January 2015 and September 2016, the country received US$ 0.3 million from the Green Climate Fund for readiness support and US$ 0.85 million from the Global Environment Facility for reporting purposes.

Between 2010 and 2014, Vanuatu received US$49.4 million in grant-equivalent finance specifically targeting climate change, with a majority supporting mitigation. The primary sources of this funding were the Global Environment Facility, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, focusing on environmental policy, renewables, and disaster preparedness. Additionally, between January 2015 and September 2016, Vanuatu received further allocations from the Green Climate Fund, the LDCF, and the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program.

The document outlines the legacy of Dr. Mostafa Tolba, who led the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for nearly 20 years. It highlights his role as a bridge between science and policy, his leadership in creating the Montreal Protocol, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the Convention on Biodiversity, and his commitment to integrating developing country perspectives into the global environmental agenda.

The document outlines a diverse landscape of climate financing for cities, categorised into local internal revenues, external third-party sources, and international funds. Local options include property and land taxes, user fees, development charges, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF), as well as 'intracting' for energy retrofits. External sources feature Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), green bonds, and crowdfunding. International support is available through climate funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and philanthropic organisations, though the authors note that most international funds require cooperation with national governments due to strict fiduciary and creditworthiness standards. The guide emphasizes that while international funds are necessary for large-scale projects, local sources foster greater municipal autonomy and sustainability.

The CFAS Guide outlines the state of climate finance negotiations leading up to COP20 in Lima. It details the progress of the US$100 billion annual mobilization goal, the operationalization of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the financial challenges facing the Adaptation Fund. The document also examines the role of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) in improving the measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of financial flows and the coordination of forest financing. Additionally, it discusses the integration of finance into Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and the elements of the forthcoming 2015 climate agreement.

The CFAS Guide outlines the state of climate finance negotiations leading up to COP20 in Lima, focusing on long-term funding goals, the operationalization of the Green Climate Fund, and the roles of various financial mechanisms under the UNFCCC.

The CFAS Guide outlines the state of climate finance negotiations leading up to COP20 in Lima. It details the goal of mobilizing 100 billion USD annually by 2020, the role of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) in monitoring financial flows, and the operational progress of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and Global Environment Facility (GEF). The document emphasizes the need for predictability in funding, the balance between mitigation and adaptation, and the development of measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for climate support.

The document examines the mechanisms for developing countries to access Green Climate Fund (GCF) financing directly rather than through international intermediaries. It distinguishes between 'direct access' (oversight and management at the national level) and 'enhanced direct access' (where funding decisions also occur nationally). Drawing on the Adaptation Fund and Global Environment Facility (GEF), it identifies fiduciary standards and institutional capacity as primary barriers to accreditation. The brief recommends that the GCF Board establish clear access modalities quickly, consider interim accreditation for previously accredited institutions, and support capacity building to enable the devolution of decision-making to subnational levels.

The document discusses the upcoming Fifth Review of the UNFCCC's Financial Mechanism, emphasizing the need for a holistic assessment of climate finance processes to address past shortcomings and institutional fragmentation. It highlights the role of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) in leading this review and the importance of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in the new architecture. The brief critiques previous reviews for being too focused on the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and lacking independent oversight, while calling for better measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of financial flows to developing countries.

As of November 26, 2012, 23 developed countries and the European Commission pledged USD 33.92 billion in fast-start climate finance, exceeding the collective goal of 'approaching USD 30 billion'. However, the World Resources Institute finds that the alignment of these funds with Cancun Agreement principles—specifically regarding balanced allocation between adaptation and mitigation, additionality, and prioritization of the most vulnerable—remains unclear due to inconsistent reporting and a lack of agreed-upon definitions.

The paper examines the fragmented landscape of climate change adaptation finance, analyzing the roles of the UNFCCC, the Adaptation Fund, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Overseas Development Assistance (ODA). It argues that the current system is a 'non-system' characterized by inefficiencies, double counting of funds, and a lack of standardized metrics for success. The author explores the potential for regional banks, such as the African Development Bank, to provide more effective, decentralized management of funds. The document concludes by offering lessons for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), emphasizing the need for direct access modalities, clear ring-fencing of assets, and a transparent trustee selection process to avoid conflicts of interest, particularly regarding the World Bank.

The policy paper advocates for a human rights-based approach to climate finance, emphasizing that mitigation and adaptation measures must not violate human rights. It evaluates existing mechanisms—the Global Environment Facility (GEF), REDD+, and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)—finding that while some integrate social safeguards, others lack transparency and accountability. The authors propose a comprehensive institutional safeguard system for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), including mandatory social and environmental policies, independent monitoring, and a robust grievance mechanism based on international standards.

The document advocates for a human rights-based approach to climate finance, emphasizing the need for institutional safeguard systems to prevent social and environmental harm. It identifies key components of such systems, including safeguard policies, monitoring, grievance mechanisms, and meaningful participation, noting that while some existing mechanisms like the Global Environment Facility and UN-REDD Programme incorporate some considerations, they do not fully apply a rights-based approach.

The document advocates for a human rights-based approach to climate finance to prevent social and environmental harm and promote sustainable development. It evaluates the Global Environment Facility (GEF), REDD+ initiatives, and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), finding that while some have integrated safeguards, others lack transparency and accountability. The report concludes with detailed recommendations for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), emphasizing the need for international safeguard policies, robust monitoring systems, a formal grievance mechanism, and meaningful civil society participation.

The paper examines the emerging institutional architecture for adaptation finance and explores the feasibility of an 'adaptation market'. It concludes that commodifying adaptation benefits is unfeasible due to a lack of international demand and viable metrics, as adaptation primarily generates local and private benefits rather than global public goods. However, it identifies a nascent marketplace for 'adaptation finance credits'—where the commodity is the proof of expenditure—supported by a growing professional industry of project developers and consultants, though it lacks the allocative efficiency of carbon markets.

The paper analyzes the role of fairness in international climate negotiations, distinguishing between intention-driven fairness (based on current motives) and consequence-driven fairness (based on historical responsibility). Using game-theoretic models, the authors argue that increasing fairness perceptions in developing countries can shift negotiation dynamics from non-cooperative states (like the Prisoners' Dilemma) toward cooperative ones. The study evaluates how different support mechanisms—such as carbon sequestration, adaptation funds, and the Green Climate Fund—can be designed to signal kindness and compensate for historical emissions to foster global cooperation.

The paper analyzes international climate finance, distinguishing between mitigation and adaptation transfers. It argues that while mitigation transfers are generally Pareto-improving due to global public good benefits and cost-effectiveness, adaptation transfers primarily provide local benefits and thus lack direct allocative efficiency for donors. However, the author posits that adaptation funding can serve as a strategic tool for 'confidence-building' by addressing historical unfairness (the polluter-pays principle), which may increase the willingness of developing countries to participate in global mitigation agreements. The document evaluates the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), and the Adaptation Fund (AF), concluding that the AF's governance structure is most effective for raising trust among developing nations.

The document examines the intersection of the right to development and climate change, focusing on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). It argues that while the CDM facilitates technology transfer and emissions reductions, it lacks sufficient human rights safeguards, equitable geographical distribution, and accountability mechanisms. The author proposes integrating a rights-based approach (RBA) and refining the High-Level Task Force's (HLTF) evaluation criteria to include science-based decision-making and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).

The document analyzes the institutional conflict regarding climate finance management, contrasting the 'Coordination Camp' (preferring existing institutions) with the 'Consolidation Camp' (seeking a new UN-managed entity). It proposes the Extended Reformed Financial Mechanism (RFM+) as a compromise that combines consolidated disbursement to national entities with the retention of specific international funding bodies like the GEF and Adaptation Fund. The author argues that for such a system to succeed, it must address distributive justice and thematic balance through innovative financing instruments to ensure sufficient revenue.