LDCF/SCCF Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop27 – 29 September 2011

Honiara, Solomon Islands

Adaptation and the role of the GEF• Adaptation is the process of reducing the

adverse effects of climate change on human and natural systems. It refers to the efforts made to cope with actual change as well as the process of adjusting to expected change.

• The UNFCCC requested the GEF to manage the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) in 2001. The priority of these Funds is Adaptation.

• TODAY: More than 600 million dollars raised in voluntary donor contributions to the two funds (LDCF and SCCF).

22

LDCF and SCCFLDCF• Established to address the special

needs of LDCs under the Convention

• Only existing Fund mandated to finance the preparation and implementation of NAPAs

• 48 NAPAs funded already and 47 LDCF projects approved

• Available resources (expected December 2011) = USD $186 million

SCCF• Available to all developing

countries, parties to the Convention

• Established to support Adaptation and Technology Transfer activities, short and long-term

• 31 projects approved • Available resources (expected

December 2011) = USD $50.7 million

3

Innovative Features of LDCF/SCCF

4

GEF TRUST FUND:

• Incremental cost• Global benefits• STAR• Co-financing

LDCF & SCCF:

• Additional cost principle• NO Global benefits requirement• No STAR• Existing BAU Financing • Higher MSP ceiling for LDCF ($2M)• Rolling basis approval for

LDCF

Additional Cost Principle• The idea that coping with the adverse

impacts of climate change imposes an additional cost on vulnerable countries in their effort to achieve their development goals.

• Adaptation Benefit: ability to achieve development goals despite a changing climate.

• This principle distinguishes those projects from the standard GEF practice which funds on the basis of incremental costs.

• Full costs associated with meeting additional costs imposed on the country by effects of CC, are supported by LDCF and SCCF.

5

Priority Activities

• LDCF:1. Water- including rainwater

harvesting and integrated coastal zone management

2. Food Security/ Agriculture3. Disaster-risk management –

early warning systems 4. Natural resources

management – mangrove restoration leading to coastal protection

• SCCF:1. Health – health plans revised

to incorporate climate risk projections.

2. Coastal management- improved drainage system, beach nourishing

3. Water resources- in response to drought and flood

4. Potential use of fiscal instruments

6

Adaptation Strategy for LDCF and SCCF

• There is a need to move from project-based approach to a more programmatic, sectoral or national level, to maximize the impact of the LDCF/SCCF resources and fully mainstream adaptation into development.

• Recent climate talks call for scale up, additional, predictable and adequate funding.

• The Adaptation Strategy for LDCF and SCCF is therefore based on this identified need for sufficient and predictable resources for adaptation.

7

LDCF and SCCF Strategic Objectives under the RBM

1. Reduce vulnerability to climate change of sectors, areas, countries, communities and ecosystems

2. Increase adaptive capacity to respond to the impacts of climate change

8

LDCF and SCCF Strategic Objectives under the RBM

3. Promote transfer and adoption of adaptation technologies – as defined under the Climate Convention

• Impact: Reduce absolute losses due to Climate change including variability.

9

Adaptation in SIDS• CC is a matter of survival for SIDS (sea level rise and

extreme events) • 13 adaptation projects in SIDS (SCCF and LDCF),

amounting $49.9 M in grants, and mobilizing $111.8 M in co-financing.

• Special attention to the areas of: sea-level rise, coastal zone management, water management, waste water management, human health, critical and unique ecosystems.

10

Adaptation in SIDS – The PACC SCCF Grant = USD $13 million. Implemented by UNDP

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.

11

Looking forward: programming under the LDCF and the SCCF

Scaling up Adaptation actions through:– Through multi-trust fund and programmatic approaches, the LDCF

and the SCCF promote synergies with other GEF focal areas– The need for financial resources for fully NAPA implementation is

of at least $1.93 billion (according to LDC Expert Group). This figure calls for a more substantial and predictable funding for adaptation.

– The effectiveness of adaptation measures must be tested on the ground and lessons must be learned by doing.

– Core sectors (water management and agriculture) have slightly strengthened proportion of the total under both Funds, reflecting that these sectors are likely to continue having a leading role in demand, specially in SIDS and LDCs.

12

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

13

Thank you!

14

For more information, please visit LDCF/SCCF websites:

LDCF: http://www.thegef.org/gef/ldcfSCCF: http://www.thegef.org/gef/sccf