Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief outlines the context and objectives of the Fifth Review of the UNFCCC’s Financial Mechanism (FM), which was initiated at CoP18 in December 2012 and scheduled for conclusion by CoP20 in 2014. The document argues that the Review provides a critical opportunity to restructure the institutional architecture of climate finance, address past shortcomings of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and integrate new entities like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF).

This executive summary by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines the potential for institutional investors—such as pension funds and insurance companies—to fund renewable energy infrastructure. It identifies three primary investment channels and analyzes the policy, regulatory, and institutional barriers that prevent these investors from lowering the cost of capital for renewable energy projects.

This media briefing note by the Center for International Environmental Law discusses a February 2013 audit by the World Bank's Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman (CAO) regarding the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) lending through financial intermediaries. The briefing highlights the IFC's failure to track the environmental and social impacts of a significant portion of its portfolio and critiques the IFC's response to these findings.

This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the challenges of mobilising and managing climate finance for developing countries. It emphasizes the need for a coordinated international architecture, the strengthening of national public finance management systems, and the creation of stable frameworks to attract private sector investment, which is expected to provide the bulk of necessary funding.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and challenges associated with Climate-Compatible Development (CCD). It defines CCD as a "development first" approach aimed at minimizing climate damage while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-carbon, resilient future. The document identifies five primary socio-political drivers—national awareness of adaptation, energy security, economic opportunities, access to climate finance, and government leadership—and seven key implementation challenges, including high costs, political opposition, and institutional limitations.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and challenges associated with Climate Compatible Development (CCD), defined as a "development first" approach that minimizes climate harm while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-emissions, resilient future. Drawing on experience from over 40 countries, the paper identifies key sociopolitical drivers—such as national resilience needs, energy security, and economic opportunities—and outlines significant barriers, including high implementation costs, political resistance, and institutional capacity gaps.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and obstacles associated with Climate Compatible Development (CCD). It defines CCD as a strategy that minimizes climate impact damage while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-emission future. The document identifies five key sociopolitical drivers—national resilience needs, energy security, economic opportunities, climate finance access, and strong government leadership—and seven primary implementation challenges, including high opportunity costs, political resistance, and institutional constraints.

This research paper, written by a UNFCCC negotiator from Ethiopia, examines the challenges faced by new negotiators and proposes strategies to improve consensus-building within the UNFCCC process. The author emphasizes the need for capacity building, transparency, and the availability of data to foster trust and facilitate multilateral agreements on climate change.

This 2013 fact sheet by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) outlines technical assistance and strategic frameworks provided to the Government of Pakistan to implement its national climate change policy. It details efforts to establish a work programme for climate compatible development, disaster risk insurance for vulnerable communities, and the development of national adaptation and mitigation plans.

This policy brief examines how the Green Climate Fund (GCF) can achieve its objective of initiating a 'paradigm shift' towards low-emissions and climate-resilient development. It argues that such a shift requires moving from isolated projects to programmatic approaches, ensuring strong country ownership, and providing clear incentives for ambition in proposal design.

This commentary analyzes the outcomes of the 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Doha, Qatar.

This executive summary describes a study by IRENA on financial mechanisms and investment frameworks for renewable energy (RE) in developing countries. The study analyzes global RE finance flows, provides recommendations for national policy design, and presents case studies from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to support the scaling up of renewable energy for climate mitigation.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network argues that gender considerations must be central to climate policies and programmes in developing countries, as women are differentially affected by climate change and face existing gender inequalities that exacerbate their vulnerability.

This executive summary by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the 'fast-start' climate finance pledges made by developed countries following the 2010 Cancun Agreements. The document evaluates whether these pledges meet international criteria regarding the balance between adaptation and mitigation, additionality, and prioritization of vulnerable nations, while highlighting significant gaps in reporting transparency and consistency.

This case study examines the application of the Climate Compatible Development (CCD) approach to agriculture and food security in Kenya. It analyzes the synergies between adaptation and mitigation within the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) and its Action Plan (NCCAP), identifying institutional barriers and financing gaps that hinder the integration of food security goals into climate action.

This resource book, published by the Government of Nepal's Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology in November 2012, serves as a guide for climate change negotiators. It details the institutional and procedural framework of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, analyzes the specific climate vulnerabilities of Nepal—particularly in its mountain regions—and outlines national policy responses, including the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and REDD+ initiatives. The document emphasizes the need for increased international climate finance, technology transfer, and gender-sensitive policies to support Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative assesses climate finance flows in Germany for the year 2010. It maps the sources, intermediaries, and sectors of investment to understand the current level of funding and the role of public policy in mobilizing private capital for the energy transition (Energiewende).

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative provides a snapshot of climate finance in Germany for the year 2010. It analyzes the volume of investments, the primary sources of funding, and the effectiveness of policy instruments, while highlighting significant gaps in data collection and monitoring (MRV) systems.

The Landscape of Climate Finance 2012 executive summary estimates annual global climate finance flows for 2010/2011 at approximately USD 343-385 billion. The report details the roles of public and private sources, the importance of financial intermediaries, and the distribution of funds toward mitigation and adaptation, noting that current levels remain insufficient to limit global temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development discusses the critical role of private sector engagement in the REDD+ supply chain to scale up investment and provide technical expertise for mitigating climate change and deforestation.