Welcoming new GEF approvals, the LDC Group praises donors but warns that a $350m funding gap threatens climate adaptation projects across vulnerable countries, urging increased, predictable grant-based support from global partners.
The Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group on Climate Change has welcomed the approval of new projects in four LDCs, Eritrea, Haiti, Kiribati and Senegal and one Small Island Developing State (SIDS), the Marshall Islands, by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council. At the same time, the Group warned that a major funding gap under the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) remains a serious concern. The LDCF provides grant-based support to the world’s most vulnerable countries to help them adapt to climate change impacts such as floods, droughts and rising seas.
The LDCF and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) Council meeting, held virtually from December 15 to 19, also saw Germany pledge 10 million euros, Belgium 5.9 million euros, Sweden 130 million Swedish kronor and Ireland 3 million euros to the LDCF and 2 million euros to the SCCF. The SCCF supports climate projects in developing countries, including both adaptation and mitigation activities.
Outgoing LDC Chair Evans Njewa thanked the donors but stressed that available resources are still far from enough to meet demand. He said, “Project approvals show strong country readiness but funding still falls short.”
Despite adopting two financial scenarios for the LDCF, the Fund remains nearly 350 million dollars short of the 1 billion dollar target for the GEF-8 period, limiting LDCs’ ability to advance approved projects. Njewa added that securing these resources will help protect vulnerable communities from climate impacts.
The Group also expressed disappointment that COP30, the 30th session of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, did not meet the LDCs’ request for 3 billion dollars for the LDCF by 2030. The LDCs emphasized that predictable, grant-based finance is crucial for adaptation in countries with the least capacity to respond to climate change. Donors are urged to increase contributions and make new commitments to close the financing gap and speed up project delivery.
Addressing the Council for the last time as LDC Chair, Njewa reflected, “It has been an honor to bring both the goodwill and concerns of the LDCs to the LDCF. The dedication of this Council continues to inspire hope and action.”
The meeting also introduced the incoming LDC Chair, Ambassador Adão Soares Barbosa, who called for continued support and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing LDC priorities, building on the foundations laid by Njewa.
