News: Oct 22, 2021
In October 2021, Sida´s Helpdesk for Environmental and Climate Change assessed 9 projects which were approved by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The projects budgets total to the record amount of USD 1.2 billion. The Helpdesk is commissioned by Sida – the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – to support its staff with advice and strategic guidance on environmental and climate change integration at policy, program, and project level.
In October 2021 the Helpdesk for Environmental and Climate Change assessed 9 of the 13 new projects up for Green Climate Fund Board approval with a total budget of USD 1.2 billion, a record amount. Examples of projects that were assessed and that got approval at the GCF Board meeting were:
- The Amazon Bio-economy Fund: The fund will aim at unlocking private capital by valuing bio-economy products and services with climate mitigation and adaptation results in the Amazon (GCF financing USD 279 million)
- Support to establishing a global fund for investments aiming at supporting protection and restoration of coral reefs (GCF financing USD 125 million)
- A project that will enhance early warning systems to build greater resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards in Timor-Leste (GCF financing USD 21 million)
- Support to the Tanzania Agriculture Climate Adaptation Technology Deployment Programme (GCF financing USD 100 million)
Assessment of applications to the GCF is a recurring support that the Helpdesk provide. The service helps Sida, and in turn, the Swedish government, to make informed decisions on issues to raise during the GCF Board meetings where GCF applications are discussed and approved.
The project proposals are generally well developed with clear climate adaption and/or mitigation results. Most of the Swedish priorities are integrated into the project design, including gender equality and poverty reduction, but the Helpdesk noted that a conflict perspective is seldom applied.
Including a conflict perspective would streangthen the proposals as climate change in many context puts additional stress on the livelihoods of people and increase the competition of natural resources."Including a conflict perspective would strengthen the proposals as climate change in many context puts additional stress on the livelihoods of people and increases the competition of natural resources. This might lead to increased tension and risks for conflicts. The dialogue with Sida is constructive and it is encouraging that Sida views the Helpdesk assessments as useful and will continue to use our services", says Erik Wallin Project Coordinator at Sida´s Helpdesk.
Sida's Helpdesk is commissioned by Sida to assist Sida staff in integrating environmental, including climate change perspectives into Swedish development cooperation. The Helpdesk gives support, on demand, by providing advice and strategic guidance on environmental integration at policy, program and project level. It also supports capacity building, development of tools and methods for environmental integration and dialogue concerning environmental issues. The Helpdesk is a joint effort between Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development and the Swedish University of Agricultural Science in Uppsala.
Contact the Helpdesk: Gunilla Ölund-Wingqvist, Team Leader: gunilla.olund-wingqvist@gu.se
Facts about the Green Climate Fund
GCF is the world’s largest climate fund, mandated to support countries raise and realize their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ambitions towards low-emissions, climate-resilient pathways. The total size of the GCF portfolio is approximately USD 10 billion, representing USD 37.2 billion in assets, including co-financing. GCF is to invest 50% of its resources to adaptation and 50% for mitigation purposes.
