Panel: Experiences of Direct Access To Green Climate Fund

The EIF recently published a report setting out the experiences and lessons learned from its journey with the GCF so far. The report highlights some recommendations for other DAEs and for developing country governments and the GCF. This side event aimed to discuss the experiences of direct access entities with the GCF, and engage in a dialogue to reveal lessons learned and recommendations for developing country institutions seeking access to the GCF, as well as recommendations to the GCF on how they could further enable direct access funding to developing country institutions. Event Full Concept Note

Experiences of African Financial Institutions with Climate Finance

Private sector funding is key to filling the financing gaps that currently exist, however climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions are often
viewed as risky by the private sector, especially in developing country markets where the enabling environment is not always conducive to innovation. This discussion aimed at providing a platform for African financial institutions to share experiences and lessons learned on innovative climate finance approaches.  Event Full Concept Note

Panel: Aligning finance with the Paris Agreement

This discussion showcased examples of good practices and fostered dialogues on way forward to align finance with low-emissions climate resilience development with a focus on Africa. Event Full Concept Note

The Role Of Governments In Mobilizing Climate Finance

Local governments play a sustainable role in driving low-emission development pathways by mobilising climate finance.  However, government face challenges with prioritising climate change-related development due to other social and economic stressors.  This event explored the ways in which governments are driving climate action and mobilizing climate finance through planning, policy, and strategic allocation of national budgets. Event Full Concept Note

Locally-Led Adaptation In The Green Climate Fund

Adaptation is essential for African development states, in order to grow the resilience of the most vulnerable communities in the world to the effects of climate change. Recently, the Civil Society for the GCF project partners carried out an analysis of GCF Project proposals for adaptation projects.  The projects were weight against the principles of locally-led adaptation of the IIED. A recent publication by Germanwatch uses the principles to assess how well the Green Climate Fund has done to date in supporting adaptation at the local level across its Africa portfolio.  This event provided a platform to discuss the experience to date of locally-led adaptation in the Green Climate Fund, and explore opportunities for enhancing locally-led adaptation. Event full Concept Note

Youth Day

The African Youth Participation In The UNFCCC Processes

African youth have developed a burning interest to participate in regional and international climate change programs however, the issue of poor funding and support to participate in these programmes continues to be a challenge. The African COP reserved this day to provide an opportunity for youth to showcase youth-led success stories and challenges and interact with policymakers and practitioners in meaningful dialogues.  The Namibian Pavilion observed this day by giving youth the opportunities to lead dialogues and a platform to tell their local stories on how they have successfully led climate action projects and initiatives on the ground.

Supported by a panel comprising of youth, private sector and experts in UNFCCC processes, Namibian and African youth engaged in a dialogue on how to maximise African youth participation in the UNFCCC and ways in which their engagement can be supported including insights on how youth engagement in UNFCCC can be instrumental for meaningful contributions on the ground and in decision-making rooms. Youth also shared their locally-led initiatives on the ground in the fight against climate change.

Other Events

Gender Mainstreaming In A Highly Dynamic Cultural Society Of Namibia

Ms Louise Brown, the Director of Triple Capital, participated as a panellist on Gender Day at COP27, to discuss Gender Mainstreaming In A Highly Dynamic Cultural Society Of Namibia.  The aim of the event was to engage on how scarce public funding for climate actions can be used equitably, efficiently and effectively to benefit vulnerable societies on the ground. The event unpacked the gender dimension of climate change impacts and the role of context-specific research and cultural awareness in enabling the design of projects and programmes that enhance gender equality and improve women’s lives while building climate resilience.

Enabling Private Sector Action On Climate Change In Africa

Africa needs approximately USD 250 billion in climate finance per year by 2030 in order to achieve its climate change goals.  Currently, it is receiving approximately USD 30 billion per year. Private sector participation is crucial to bridge the gap. But this will require a concerted effort by governments and private actors to create an enabling environment, raise awareness and de-risk investment opportunities. This side event discussed the role of the private sector in climate change by exploring the opportunities that exist and looking into the key aspects needed to create a conducive environment for encouraging private sector investments in Africa. It showcased some of the experiences from Namibia with speakers from the Capricorn Group, Namibia Investment Promotion Board, and Triple Capital.