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The document asserts that climate change is a systemic financial risk that threatens the global economy and the living conditions of beneficiaries, thereby making climate action an integral part of an asset owner's fiduciary duty. It advocates for a 'systemic approach' that prioritizes long-term stability over short-term gains, urging asset owners to halt capital allocation to fossil fuel expansion, engage aggressively with portfolio companies, influence asset managers, and advocate for ambitious public policies. The report highlights that current risk models often underestimate the potential for catastrophic economic losses, which could reach 50% of global GDP by the end of the century.

The GCF Accreditation Panel recommends the accreditation of PT Indonesia Infrastructure Finance (PT IIF) as a national direct access entity in Indonesia for medium-sized projects (loans and guarantees) and small-sized projects (equity), with a capacity to manage high-risk (Category A/I-1) environmental and social projects. While PT IIF demonstrated strong fiduciary capacities in on-lending and blending, as well as robust environmental and social safeguards, the Panel identified gaps in public procurement disclosure, the operationalization of its grievance redress mechanism on its website, and the lack of a formal monitoring and evaluation policy. Consequently, accreditation is recommended subject to the applicant meeting these specific conditions before submitting its first funding proposal.

The GCF Accreditation Panel recommends the accreditation of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (APL180) for 'small' individual projects with a maximum environmental and social risk category of medium risk (category B/I-2). The assessment found that Helvetas fully meets most fiduciary, environmental, social, and gender standards, though it partially meets basic fiduciary standards due to gaps in internal audit quality assessment and the public disclosure of investigative guidelines. Helvetas is recommended for accreditation provided it meets specific conditions regarding the publication of its investigation terms of reference and the delivery of an external quality assessment of its internal audit function.

Reclaim Finance calls on institutional investors in Europe and North America to hold asset managers accountable for climate risks, citing examples of mandate withdrawals and the need for concrete climate selection criteria to prevent global economic losses.

The document highlights a trend in 2025 where some European and North American asset owners began withdrawing mandates from asset managers like BlackRock and State Street due to inadequate climate strategies. It criticizes large asset managers for continuing massive investments in fossil fuel developers and calls for asset owners to implement clear climate selection criteria and escalation strategies to force a transition away from fossil fuels.

The GCF Accreditation Panel recommends the accreditation of the Bank of Bhutan Limited (BoB) as a national direct access entity for 'small' projects with a 'medium risk (I-2)' environmental and social category. While BoB demonstrates strong institutional presence as Bhutan's largest commercial bank and a track record in green financing, the assessment identified gaps in internal audit quality assurance, public disclosure of procurement and investigation guidelines, and the operationalization of its grievance redress mechanism. The recommendation is subject to specific conditions to be met both before the issuance of the accreditation certificate and before the submission of the first funding proposal, including the development of a Gender Action Plan and the implementation of risk-based E&S screening tools.

Reclaim Finance criticizes the Fonds de réserve pour les retraites (FRR) for its updated fossil fuel exclusion policy, asserting that it continues to support oil and gas expansion and lacks science-based criteria for selecting asset managers.

Reclaim Finance argues that the Fonds de réserve pour les retraites (FRR) continues to use public money to support fossil fuel expansion despite updating its exclusion policy. The FRR's new measures only target unconventional hydrocarbons and thermal coal, leaving conventional oil and gas investments intact. The document also highlights the FRR's failure to implement science-based criteria for selecting asset managers, noting that it continues to work with firms like BlackRock despite their climate records.

The report finds that climate targets adopted by 83 global investors are largely insufficient to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the real economy, citing a lack of targets, poor quality, and limited scope. It argues that without science-based sectoral targets and regulatory oversight, these goals amount to greenwashing and fail to manage systemic climate risk.

Pension funds, managing over USD 73 trillion globally, face systemic risks from climate change that could reduce returns by 33% by 2050. While 200 major funds have begun divesting from fossil fuels to fulfill fiduciary duties, third-party asset managers often maintain carbon-intensive investments. This misalignment has led pension funds to withdraw over USD 100 billion from managers including BlackRock and State Street.

The report evaluates the climate transition of 594 OECD pension funds using Net Zero Finance Tracker data. While target-setting is improving, significant exposure to expansionist fossil fuel companies remains. The analysis finds that funds with formal climate targets and transition plans hold higher shares of clean energy and that robust regulatory frameworks in countries like the UK, Denmark, and the Netherlands correlate with stronger climate action.

The report finds that while OECD pension funds have significantly increased their climate target-setting and risk management since 2020, their portfolios remain heavily exposed to fossil fuel expansion. Pension funds often outperform other financial institutions in areas like policy engagement and emissions disclosure once climate goals are embedded in their governance. The analysis highlights that robust regulatory frameworks in countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, and the UK drive higher adoption of targets, and suggests that the relationship between asset owners and asset managers is a critical lever for driving decarbonization.

The report finds that while OECD pension funds are increasing their climate target-setting and internal governance, their portfolios remain heavily exposed to expansionist fossil fuels. Progress is strongly linked to national regulatory environments, with the Netherlands, Denmark, and the UK leading. A critical lever for future impact is the governance of the asset owner–asset manager relationship, where leading funds are moving toward more active mandates, stricter stewardship oversight, and in some cases, the internalization of asset management to ensure alignment with net-zero goals.

Reclaim Finance criticizes Agirc-Arrco, ERAFP, and the Fonds de Réserve pour les Retraites (FRR) for employing BlackRock, an asset manager it claims actively supports fossil fuel expansion. The organization highlights BlackRock's $431 billion in holdings in companies developing new fossil projects as of May 2024 and its declining support for environmental shareholder resolutions. Reclaim Finance urges these French institutions to adopt science-based climate criteria for selecting managers and to publicly oppose BlackRock's practices, noting that other European pension funds, such as the Dutch PFZW, have already withdrawn mandates from the firm.

The Accreditation Framework of the Green Climate Fund defines the requirements and processes for entities to become Accredited Entities (AEs), enabling them to submit funding proposals for climate mitigation and adaptation. It distinguishes between Direct Access Entities (DAEs), based in developing countries, and International Access Entities (IAEs). The framework outlines a five-step institutional accreditation process—nomination, pre-screening, application, screening, and Board approval—grounded in fiduciary standards, environmental and social safeguards (ESS), and country ownership. It also provides mechanisms for capacity building for DAEs, a fast-track approach for recognized standards, and a project-specific assessment approach (PSAA) as a pilot alternative to institutional accreditation.

The report finds that Agirc-Arrco, ERAFP, and the FRR continue to invest hundreds of millions of euros in fossil fuels and lack robust commitments to stop funding new oil and gas projects. In contrast, Ircantec is highlighted as a positive example for its strict fossil fuel exclusion policy. The report also criticizes these institutions for delegating the majority of their assets to external managers, such as BlackRock and JP Morgan, who often oppose climate goals or have retreated from ESG commitments. Furthermore, the report notes significant gaps in transparency, particularly regarding the publication of portfolio compositions and voting records at general meetings.

The joint submission argues that rather than mandating UK investment, the government should clarify fiduciary duty laws to allow trustees to consider wider societal and environmental impacts and regulate strategic asset allocation advice provided by investment consultants.

The document criticizes Blackrock and Vanguard for temporarily halting engagement activities with companies after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) introduced new reporting requirements for investors holding more than 5% of a US company. Reclaim Finance asserts that these transparency rules are not a legal barrier to engagement and that the asset managers' reactions reflect a broader retreat from ESG commitments. The text highlights the firms' continued investment in fossil fuels and their withdrawal from international climate alliances, urging clients to demand stronger climate engagement or switch managers to protect their portfolios from systemic climate risks.

The GCF Accreditation Panel recommends the accreditation of ArmSwissBank, a commercial bank in Armenia, as a national direct access entity for 'small' projects (up to USD 50 million) with a medium environmental and social risk category (B/I-2). The bank demonstrated strong capabilities in on-lending, blending, and project management, with a track record including USD 44.92 million for a KfW renewable energy programme. However, the panel identified gaps in public disclosure of procurement and whistleblower policies, the lack of anonymous complaint channels, and insufficient staff capacity to screen against IFC Performance Standards. Accreditation is recommended subject to conditions: the bank must publish its whistleblower and complaint procedures, establish anonymous reporting channels, provide evidence of staff training on IFC Performance Standards, and publicly disclose its procurement policy before submitting its first funding proposal.

The GCF Accreditation Framework outlines the requirements and processes for national, regional, and international organizations to become Accredited Entities (AEs). It defines two primary access paths—Direct Access Entities (DAEs) and International Access Entities (IAEs)—and details a five-step institutional accreditation process: nomination, pre-screening, application, screening, and Board approval. The framework emphasizes national ownership, fiduciary standards, and environmental and social safeguards (ESS), while providing capacity-building support through the Readiness Programme to help developing countries and their local organizations meet these standards.