1 July 2004: Potential donors for the Special Climate Change Fund have discussed funding options at a meeting in Paris. The gathering, held on 1 July, brought possible donors together with representatives of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The Special Climate Change Fund was approved by the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in November 2001, and is managed by the GEF.
Participants discussed the “niche” for the Special Climate Change Fund. In particular, delegates stressed the need to distinguish between activities under this Fund, and those supported by the regular GEF Trust Fund. Participants recommended that, with regard to financing for adaptation under the Special Climate Change Fund, a key aim should be to make development lending “climate-proof” by supporting “preparatory work, constituency building, awareness raising and sharing of lessons.” The Fund should assist countries in assessing to what extent development projects are at risk from the impacts of climate change. The need to link adaptation and poverty reduction was highlighted. Participants also discussed the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), which was also approved by Parties to the UNFCCC. A second meeting of donors will take place in Paris on 29 September, with the aim of preparing documents on the subject for discussion by the GEF Council in November 2004. Click here for the official report of the meeting.