Donor agencies agree to increase funding climate change programs in developing countries
Xinhua, May 1, 2015 Adjust font size:
The United Nations (UN) on Thursday revealed multilateral agencies agreed to increase budgetary support towards climate change adaptation programs in developing countries to accelerate their low-carbon development.
"The international community has renewed its commitment to assist developing countries adapt to impacts of climate change as the clock ticks towards Paris Talks in December where a biding treaty to curb carbon emissions will be endorsed," said Youssef Nassef, UN Climate Change Secretariat Coordinator for Adaptation Programs.
He spoke in Nairobi during the closing ceremony of the 9th international conference on community-based adaptation.
The UN will streamline management of climate funds to ensure it reach grassroots communities grappling with recurrent droughts, habitat loss and dwindling water supplies.
Nassef said institutional and legislative reforms are needed to enhance the management of the Green Climate and Adaptation funds.
"Proper governance and accountability are key to ensure the adaptation kitty is disbursed to communities. We are focusing on projects with the greatest impact at the grassroots level," Nassef told Xinhua.
The UN Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn manages the adaptation fund that was operationalized in 2010 through an injection of 100 million U.S. dollars by donors.
Nassef disclosed that developing countries that have presented sound proposals have secured a significant funding to enable them implement adaptation projects.
"We channel funds to state organs that identify high impact projects for financing. The projects range from adoption of cleaner energy, proper land use practices and water storage," said Nassef, adding that the Paris climate talks in December will devote significant attention to adaptation financing.
The UN Climate Change Secretariat has approved financing for 47 adaptation projects in 40 countries since 2011. Nassef noted that community level adaptation projects had profound impacts on food security, resilience of ecosystems and human health. Endi