LDCF News

Recent DANIDA Evaluation of the Least Developed Countries Fund

 

The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) is a voluntary fund which was established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its seventh session in Marrakech in 2001. The Fund, which is managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), addresses the special needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which are especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. This includes preparing and implementing National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs), which aim to identify “urgent and immediate needs” of each LDC according to specific guidelines provided by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG).
Recently, the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) commissioned an evaluation of the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) for adaptation to climate change which resulted in a number of important insights and recommendations that The GEF is already implementing in order to improve the delivery, effectiveness and efficiency of LDCF programming.  The report praised the NAPAs as essential and important policy instruments on adaptation, called for the simplification of the procedures for accessing funds, and flagged in-country institutional and individual capacity as barriers to NAPA implementation.  Significantly, it found that the resources currently made available by the LDCF donors are insufficient both in terms of the scale needed to finance climate adaptation planning and implementation in LDCs and in terms of being reliable enough to allow for the programming of implementation needs across all LDCs, a conclusion consistent with the GEF’s LDCF/SCCF programming strategy for adaptation.  The report’s findings regarding the funding constraints are also consistent with concerns voiced at COP 15 that took place in November 2009 in Copenhagen, whereby the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) recognized that at least US$1.93B are needed for the full implementation of the NAPAs, and requested parties to consider this going forward.

Photo credit Lars Christiansen
Maldives: LDCF is funding a project called "Integration of Climate Change Risks into the Safer Island Development Programme"

 

New LDCF Projects

 

New activities under the LDCF include a project in Maldives on Integration of Climate Change Risks into the Maldives Safer Island Development Program.   In this low-lying island nation, where more than 70% of critical infrastructure is within 100m of the shoreline, the LDCF is financing adaptation actions that include the development of climate resilient land use plans, updating drainage systems, and restoration of natural systems providing coastal protection.  These activities are complemented with training of key specialists in sectors vulnerable to climate change.  In Burkina Faso, the Strengthening Adaptation Capacities and Reducing the Vulnerability to Climate Change project will finance the establishment of n early warning system and pilot measures such as testing climate-resilient irrigation techniques, development livestock feed storage facilities, establishing new wells, drip irrigation, and training farmers in climate-resilient agricultural management techniques with the objective of increasing the food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Photo credit Lars Christiansen
Burkina Faso: LDCF is funding "Strengthening Adaptation Capacities and Reducing the Vulnerability to Climate Change in Burkina Faso"

 

Update on LDCF/SCCF financing

 

The LDCF has so far supported the preparation of NAPAs in 48 LDCs and will also support implementation of priority actions identified in completed NAPAs.  As of January 2010, 43 NAPAs have been completed, and 35 implementation projects have been approved for LDCF funding, 14 projects are currently under implementation and at least 16 projects are expected to be endorsed by the CEO by mid-2010.  Existing resources, including new pledges stand at approximately US$200.  Currently, around US$120 million has been committed to NAPA implementation on the ground, i.e. Council Approved for Work Program.

SCCF adaptation projects support the implementation of adaptation actions in non-annex I parties, its priority areas being water, land management, agriculture, health, infrastructure development, fragile ecosystems, integrated coastal zone management, disaster risk management and prevention. The total resources under the SCCF program for adaptation, including new pledges are US$105 million.  The demand greatly exceeds available funding, forcing a temporary freeze for new SCCF projects.  As of January 2010, 21 projects have been approved for support under the SCCF.  Future funding opportunities depend on donor contribution.

During COP 15 in November 2009 in Copenhagen, the SBI recognized that the funding needed for the full implementation of the NAPAs is at least US$1.93B and requested parties to consider this going forward. The next meeting on financing the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), will be hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in Rome, Italy, on March 11, following the GEF Replenishment meeting.