Search Climate Insights Directory

The Q3 2019 green bond market report by the Climate Bonds Initiative tracks global trends in green finance, highlighting the dominance of energy projects in both green bonds and loans, the growth of the Asia-Pacific green loan market, and the leading roles of Euronext Paris as a listing venue and HSBC as an underwriter.

The Q4 2019 Risk Dashboard reports that the Green Climate Fund's portfolio concentration and liquidity remain within approved risk tolerance levels. As of December 31, 2019, the fund managed a portfolio of 124 approved funding proposals with a total value of USD 20.63 billion, including GCF's approved funding of USD 5.63 billion. The portfolio is distributed across Africa (39%), Asia-Pacific (34%), Latin America and the Caribbean (23%), and Eastern Europe (4%), with a funding balance of 42% mitigation and 21% adaptation (excluding cross-cutting projects). The fund reports no non-performing loans for the past eight quarters and maintains a foreign exchange commitment risk buffer of USD 86.9 million.

The report details two workshops held in 2018 focused on South-South and triangular cooperation for climate action. It highlights case studies of technological exchange in agriculture, water management, and urban resilience, while identifying systemic barriers such as funding gaps and a lack of institutional capacity at the subnational level.

The report assesses the GCF's adaptation portfolio, finding it generally aligned with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) but lacking in areas like human health. It identifies a critical need for standardized guidelines on 'climate rationale' to distinguish adaptation from general development and recommends a flexible three-tier costing approach (total, incremental, and beyond incremental cost). The study also highlights the under-utilization of diverse accredited entities and the limited role of the private sector in adaptation projects.

As of 31 August 2018, the GCF pipeline included 103 funding proposals requesting USD 6.3 billion and 192 concept notes requesting USD 10.16 billion. The report details the distribution of these requests by sector, region, and theme, while also tracking the progress of the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) pilot, the Project Preparation Facility (PPF), and several active requests for proposals (RFPs) including Enhanced Direct Access and REDD-plus result-based payments.

The report lists a comprehensive pipeline of climate-related projects divided into public and private sectors. As of 13 July 2018, the total pipeline value is $20,417.2M, comprising $5,100.2M in GCF funding and $15,317.0M in co-financing. The pipeline includes a diverse range of initiatives across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe, focusing on renewable energy, REDD+, water management, and climate resilience.

As of 30 April 2018, the GCF pipeline consists of 65 funding proposals requesting USD 3.9 billion and 183 concept notes requesting USD 10.9 billion. The report details the sectoral, regional, and thematic distribution of these requests, noting a strong presence of cross-cutting projects. It also assesses the status of the Project Preparation Facility, the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) pilot, and specific requests for proposals including Enhanced Direct Access (EDA), MSME support, and REDD-plus. The GCF is implementing knowledge management improvements, such as NDA/AE portals, to increase transparency and processing speed.

The review finds that while the GCF Readiness Programme addresses critical capacity-building needs for country-owned climate action, it suffers from a lack of a clear Theory of Change, inefficient application processes, and a heavy reliance on international consultants. Key recommendations include developing a formal Theory of Change, increasing Secretariat and regional advisor capacity, streamlining application timelines, and providing guidance in multiple languages to reduce barriers for non-Anglophone countries.

The report lists the funding pipeline for the Green Climate Fund as of January 12, 2018, divided into public and private sectors. It details various projects across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and Eastern Europe, covering sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, and water management. The total pipeline value is reported as 15,088.5M, comprising 4,009.0M in GCF funding and 11,079.5M in co-financing.

The global green bond market reached a cumulative issuance of USD 521bn by 2018, with USD 167.6bn issued in 2018 alone. The USA, China, and France emerged as the leading national markets. The report highlights a significant increase in issuance from financial institutions, particularly commercial banks, and a growing trend toward shorter-dated bonds. While Europe remains the largest overall market, the Asia-Pacific region saw the highest year-on-year growth at 35%. The market is also diversifying into other labelled instruments, including sustainability, social, and blue bonds, and expanding into emerging markets through the adoption of regional standards like the ASEAN Green Bond Standards.

The Q4 2018 Risk Dashboard indicates that the Green Climate Fund's portfolio concentration and liquidity remain within approved risk tolerance levels. As of 31 December 2018, the fund reported no non-performing loans for the eighth consecutive quarter and maintained a foreign exchange commitment risk buffer of USD 33 million equivalent. The portfolio consists of 93 approved funding proposals with a geographic distribution led by Africa (39%) and Asia-Pacific (34%), and a funding balance favoring mitigation (39%) over adaptation (25%).

As of 30 June 2018, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) managed a portfolio of 76 approved funding proposals (FPs) with a total approved amount of USD 3.7 billion. Funding is distributed across mitigation (43%), adaptation (29%), and cross-cutting projects (28%), with the highest regional concentrations in Africa (33%) and Asia-Pacific (33%). The fund reports a projected liquid asset portfolio of USD 4.1 billion for the following 12 months and confirms there are no non-performing loans in its portfolio. Integrity and redress mechanisms recorded several closed allegations and a withdrawn request for reconsideration from Argentina.

As of 31 January 2017, the GCF pipeline consists of 50 funding proposals requesting USD 3.5 billion and 189 concept notes with a potential funding request of USD 9.1 billion. The pipeline is split between public-sector (37 proposals) and private-sector (13 proposals) requests, with a significant focus on adaptation and mitigation in least developed countries, small island developing States, and African States. The document also outlines the progress of the first pilot programme for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which aims for a total portfolio of up to five proposals within a USD 100 million envelope.

The study examines the legitimacy of climate change adaptation funds in the Asia-Pacific region, identifying that these funds rely on diverse sources of legitimacy such as ethics, transparency, and effectiveness. It finds that while funds are often justified by their benefit to vulnerable groups, they are primarily legitimized to state actors. The emergence of a multi-level financing architecture presents both new legitimacy challenges and opportunities to improve ground-level outcomes through better access for vulnerable communities.

The study assesses LDCF projects in five Asia-Pacific countries, finding that while they improve infrastructural, institutional, and community-based adaptive capacity, they are hindered by convoluted management and uncertainty. The author concludes that LDCF activities generally promote marginal rather than systematic transformations in climate adaptation.

The 2017 Global Tracking Framework reports that the world is not on track to meet its 2030 sustainable energy goals. While energy efficiency is closest to the required pace, electrification and clean cooking access are lagging, particularly in Africa. Renewable energy shares are increasing but remain far below the 36% target. The report emphasizes that current policy commitments and technology trends are insufficient, calling for a significant increase in global investment across all three pillars.

As of 31 October 2016, the GCF pipeline consists of 46 funding proposals requesting USD 3.2 billion and 169 concept notes requesting USD 7.9 billion. The portfolio includes 27 approved projects, with varying levels of progress in fulfilling conditions for the execution of Funded Activity Agreements (FAAs). The document also tracks the progress of direct access entities and a pilot programme for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which has shortlisted 7 concept notes for funding up to USD 100 million.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Secretariat reports progress in its public and private sector pipelines, the simplification of funding proposal templates, and the expansion of readiness support to 45 countries. Key achievements include the signing of contribution agreements with five additional countries and the launch of a new website to enhance stakeholder engagement. The Secretariat also operationalized its accreditation framework, moving 11 applicants to stage II, and provided substantive support for the development of the GCF Strategic Plan.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board met in March 2015 to finalize key operational frameworks. The Board accredited seven entities, including the Asian Development Bank and UNDP, and adopted a Gender Policy and Action Plan (2015–2017). It established financial terms for grants and concessional loans, including a distinction between high and low concessionality for the public sector. The Board also approved the terms of reference for an independent Technical Advisory Panel and a Policy on Ethics and Conflicts of Interest. Discussions continued on the Private Sector Facility and the Initial Resource Mobilization process, with a target for 50% of Berlin pledges to be signed by April 30, 2015.

The case study examines the impact of the Panglima Laot customary institution on the recovery of fishing communities in Aceh after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. It finds that recovery interventions by NGOs and donors were more successful when they partnered with the Panglima Laot to assess needs and implement projects. However, the study also notes a disconnect between the official 'build back better' goal and the priorities of local fishing communities, who preferred returning to pre-tsunami conditions over long-term resilience efforts.