Financing Adaptation – The Global Environment Facility

1. Financing Adaptation – The Global Environment Facility World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings April 14, 2011

2. What is adaptation to climate change? • The process by which humans and ecosystems take urgent and concrete steps towards reducing absolute losses and vulnerability from negative effects of climate change (including variability). • The UNFCCC Secretariat defines adaptation as “practical steps that are vital to protect countries and communities from the likely disruption and damage that will result from effects of climate change”.

3. The Role of GEF on Adaptation • In 2001, the UNFCCC requested the GEF to finance pilot or demonstration projects to show how adaptation planning and assessment can be practically translated into projects that will provide real benefits. • 2 Funds were established for this purpose, to be managed by the GEF: Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)

4. LDCF – Concrete Actions for the Most Vulnerable • This Fund is designed to meet the special needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) under the Climate Convention to finance the preparation and the implementation of the National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs) • 33 out of the 48 LDC’s are located in Africa, which is the region that has received most LDCF funding.

5. What are NAPAs? • A NAPA is the process under which an LDC can identify priority activities that respond to their urgent and immediate needs to adapt to climate change. • 44 out of 48 LDCs have already submitted their NAPA documents with funding from LDCF.

6. LDCF- Resources • In FY2010 alone, LDCF project approvals amounted to $24 million in grants for 7 projects. • Historically, LDCF has approved US $112.6 million for 37 projects and mobilized more than US $212 million in co-financing. • Current pledges amount to $345 M, and there are approx. $10 M available per LDC under equitable access

7. SCCF- Mainstreaming Adaptation across the Globe • The SCCF covers implementation of adaptation activities in the areas of water resources management, land management, agriculture, health, infrastructure development, fragile ecosystems, including mountainous ecosystems, and integrated coastal zone management. • SCCF is available for all developing countries. • 4 windows of financing including Adaptation (priority window) and Technology Transfer. • It finances longer term time horizons, rather than short-term activities.

8. SCCF – Resources • The total number of approved projects for SCCF is 22, totaling $92.23 million • As of today, the total pledges for SCCF are approximately US $179 M. Therefore, the total amount of resources still available are approx. US $87 M.

9. Adaptation under GEF Trust Fund – the SPA • The Strategic Priority on Adaptation (SPA), a US $50 million allocation inside of the GEF Trust Fund, was established to support pilot and demonstration adaptation projects that provide real benefits and can be integrated into national policy and sustainable development planning. • The SPA portfolio is now completed. It consisted of 26 projects (17 FSP and 9 MSP) amounting to US $48.3 million. The SPA initiative helped leverage $649 million in co-financing.

10. GEF Adaptation Actions in SIDS • The GEF has financed adaptation projects in 26 SIDS, through 17 projects under the LDCF, SCCF and SPA. • The total grants for these projects amounts to US $59 M. These projects have leveraged $145.3 M in co-financing.

11. Main Activities in SIDS • Main activities financed by LDCF, SCCF and SPA on SIDS include: • Water management • Strengthening institutional capacity and raising awareness • Pilots on restoring natural coastal buffer zones and coastal erosion prevention • Reduce risk of sea-induced flooding and predicted sea level rise • Community-based pilots in water supply management and agricultural livelihood protection • Waste water management • Pilots on climate resilient food production: climate resilient small ruminant breeding, use of short cycle seeds, micro-reservoirs, improved grain storage. • Training of key national stakeholders on adaptation planning • Mainstream adaptation in development plans and policies

12. SIDS Resources Distribution 4 projects

13. Samoa:Integrated Climate Change Adaptation in Samoa CC Vulnerabilities: • Sea Level Rise  loss of land and salt intrusion into freshwater  loss of livelihood • Increased storm activity  flooding, loss of life, crops and infrastructure • Increasing frequencies of climate related health problems • Increasing intensity of both rainfall and drought  loss of crops and agricultural productivity Adaptation Actions: • Improvement of health sector capacity • Pilot measures on agriculture and food security • Improving and disseminating seasonal forecasts • Improvement of Early Warning System Outcomes: • Decreased loss of life to tropical disease • Increased food and water security • Decreased loss of life and livelihood from climate disaster events

14. Kiribati – Kiribati Adaptation Pilot Phase II CC Vulnerabilities: • The islands’ atolls rise only 2 m above sea level, vulnerable to climate variability and weather events. • Threats include increased temperatures, more frequent droughts and storms, frequent seawater flooding, alarming rising sea levels and erosion of the coasts. Adaptation Actions: • Communities engaged in the planting of 37,000 mangrove seedlings which act as seawall and provide a natural habitat for marine life • National Water Strategy has been adopted. • Successful promotion of adaptation actions in all Ministry Operational Plans. • The Government has demonstrated solid commitment to a long-term national response to climate change. Outcomes: • Participatory approach of key stakeholders including national institutions, civil society and donor agencies. • Expected increase in food security. • Best practices in application of risk management, environmental assessment and options analysis, applied on pilots in public infrastructures and on operational planning programs for climate affected ministries.

15. Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC): Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, Marshall Islands, Palau CC Vulnerability • Decreased water availability • Decreased food production • Loss of land and coastal infrastructure Adaptation Actions • Raising of awareness and capacity for climate change risks at all levels. • Locally relevant pilot measures including: • Innovative farming and water management techniques • Introduction of new crops better suited to changed climate conditions • Installation of breakwater at important harbors • Climate proofing of existing roads Outcomes: • Negative effects of climate change on local livelihoods and economy minimized.

16. How to access LDCF and SCCF Funds? • ’Accessing resources under the Least Developed Countries Fund’ GEF/LDCF.SCCF.9/5/Rev.1 available at the GEF website • ’Accessing resources under the Special Climate Change Fund’ GEF/LDCF.SCCF.9/6/Rev.1 available at the GEF website

17. Thank you! BonizellaBiagini Head Climate Change Adaptation E-mail: bbiagini@thegef.org Phone: 202. 458. 7506 Website: www.thegef.org