Gender Mandates in Climate Policy

Before you start

In the last few years, the UNFCCC – the only one out of three Rio Conventions that lacked mandates on women’s rights and gender equality from the outset – has made major strides in integrating gender across all thematic areas in the negotiations. In 2014, the Lima Work Programme on Gender launched, and in 2015, the Paris Agreement integrated gender equality as a preambular principle for all climate action, as well as in relation to adaptation and capacity building. In 2017, the first Gender Action Plan was adopted, followed in 2019 by the adoption of the enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and its Gender Action Plan. Additional decisions have aimed to enhance gender equality via both policy and practice, encouraging gender balance indecision-making as well as responsiveness to gender issues in the development, implementation and monitoring of climate change policies and actions.

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Decision 3/CP.17

Launching the Green Climate Fund: Governing instrument for the Green Climate Fund

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GB
GM
Event 
COP17
Year 
2011
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

This decision contains a series of gender references in the rules and procedures for the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

1.The Governing Instrument states that the fund will take a gender-sensitive approach.

2.The GCF board will give due consideration to gender balance.

3.The GCF secretariat will take into account gender balance.

4.The GCF board will develop mechanisms to promote the input and participation of stakeholders, including private-sector actors, civil society organizations, vulnerable groups, women and indigenous peoples.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decision 1/CP.16,

1. Welcomes the report of the Transitional Committee (FCCC/CP/2011/6 and Add.1), taking note with appreciation of the work of the Transitional Committee in responding to its mandate given in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 109;

2. Approves the governing instrument for the Green Climate Fund annexed to this decision;

3. Decides to designate the Green Climate Fund as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention, in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention, with arrangements to be concluded between the Conference of the Parties and the Fund at the eighteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to ensure that it is accountable to and functions under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties to support projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing country Parties;

4. Notes that the Green Climate Fund will be guided by the principles and provisions of the Convention;

5. Decides to provide guidance to the Board of the Green Climate Fund, including on matters related to policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria and matters related thereto, taking into account the Board’s annual reports to the Conference of the Parties on its activities;

6. Requests the Board to operationalize the Fund in an expedited manner;

7. Also requests the Board to develop a transparent no-objection procedure to be conducted through national designated authorities referred to in paragraph 46 of the governing instrument annexed to this decision, in order to ensure consistency with national climate strategies and plans and a country driven approach and to provide for effective direct and indirect public and private sector financing by the Green Climate Fund. Further requests the Board to determine this procedure prior to approval of funding proposals by the Fund;

8. Requests the Board to balance the allocation of the Green Climate Fund resources between adaptation and mitigation activities;

9. Stresses the need to secure funding for the Green Climate Fund, taking into account paragraphs 29 and 30 of the governing instrument, to facilitate its expeditious operationalization, and requests the Board to establish the necessary policies and procedures, which will enable an early and adequate replenishment process;

10. Invites Parties, through their regional groupings and constituencies, to submit their nominations for the members of the Board to the interim secretariat by 31 March 2012, in accordance with paragraph 11 of the governing instrument for the Green Climate Fund, with the 12 seats for developing country Parties to be distributed as follows:

(a) Three members and alternate members from the Asia-Pacific States;

(b) Three members and alternate members from the African States;

(c) Three members and alternate members from the Latin American and the Caribbean States;

(d) One member and alternate member from small island developing States;

(e) One member and alternate member from least developed country Parties;

(f) One member from developing country Parties not included in the regional groups and constituencies above and one alternate member to rotate between developing country Parties included in the groups and constituencies listed above;

11. Decides that the Green Climate Fund be conferred juridical personality and legal capacity and shall enjoy such privileges and immunities related to the discharge and fulfilment of its functions, in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8 of the governing instrument;

12. Invites Parties, in line with the objectives set forth in paragraph 12 above, to submit to the Board expressions of interest for hosting the Green Climate Fund by 15 April 2012, based on the following criteria:

(a) The ability to confer and/or recognize juridical personality and legal capacity to the Fund for the protection of its interests and the exercise of its functions, to give effect to paragraphs 7 and 8 of the governing instrument, including but not limited to the ability to contract, acquire and dispose of immovable and movable property, and to institute legal proceedings;

(b) The ability to provide privileges and immunities to the Fund as are necessary for the fulfilment of its purposes, and to the officials of the Fund as are necessary for the independent exercise of their official functions in connection with the Fund;

(c) Financial arrangements, administrative and logistical support to the Fund;

(d) Any other information that the host country wishes to provide;

13. Requests the Board, following the receipt of expressions of interest, to conduct an open and transparent process for the selection of the host country, and to decide on a host country for endorsement by the Conference of the Parties at its eighteenth session, in accordance with paragraph 22 of the governing instrument;

14. Also requests the Board and the host country of the Green Climate Fund to develop, in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8 of the governing instrument, the legal and administrative arrangements for hosting the Fund, and to ensure that juridical personality and legal capacity are conferred to the Fund, and privileges and immunities as are necessary are granted to the Fund and its officials in an expeditious manner;

15. Further requests the Board to establish the independent secretariat of the Green Climate Fund in the host country in an expedited manner as soon as possible, in accordance with paragraph 19 of the governing instrument;

16. Invites the Board to select the trustee of the Green Climate Fund through an open, transparent and competitive bidding process in a timely manner to ensure that there is no discontinuity in trustee services;

17. Requests the Board to initiate a process to collaborate with the Adaptation Committee and the Technology Executive Committee, as well as other relevant thematic bodies under the Convention, to define linkages between the Fund and these bodies, as appropriate;

18. Recognizes the need to facilitate the immediate functioning of the Green Climate Fund and ensure its independence, requests the UNFCCC secretariat jointly with the Global Environment Facility secretariat to take the necessary administrative steps to set up the interim secretariat of the Green Climate Fund as an autonomous unit within the UNFCCC secretariat premises without undue delay after the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties so that the interim secretariat can provide technical, administrative and logistical support to the Board until the independent secretariat of the Green Climate Fund is established;

19. Decides that the interim arrangements should terminate no later than the nineteenth session of the Conference of the Parties;

20. Also decides that the interim secretariat shall be fully accountable to the Board and shall function under its guidance and authority, and that its head shall report to the Board;

21. Urges the Board to move promptly to appoint the head of the interim secretariat;

22. Decides that the criteria for the selection of the head of the interim secretariat shall include, inter alia, expertise in the design or management of funds, relevant administrative and management experience, experience in or working with developing countries, and policy expertise;

23. Requests the interim secretariat to make arrangements for convening the first Board meeting by 30 April 2012;

24. Welcomes the offers made by Switzerland and the Republic of Korea to host the first and second meetings of the Board respectively, and invites Parties to host subsequent meetings;

25. Invites Parties to make financial contributions for the start-up of the Green Climate Fund, including administrative costs of the Board and its interim secretariat;

26. Welcomes the generous offers of the Republic of Korea, Germany and Denmark to contribute to the start-up cost of the Green Climate Fund.

 

Annex

Governing instrument for the Green Climate Fund

The Green Climate Fund (hereinafter the “Fund”) is hereby established and will operate in accordance with the following provisions:

I. Objectives and guiding principles

1. Given the urgency and seriousness of climate change, the purpose of the Fund is to make a significant and ambitious contribution to the global efforts towards attaining the goals set by the international community to combat climate change.

2. The Fund will contribute to the achievement of the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In the context of sustainable development, the Fund will promote the paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways by providing support to developing countries to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change, taking into account the needs of those developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

3. The Fund will be guided by the principles and provisions of the Convention. The Fund will operate in a transparent and accountable manner guided by efficiency and effectiveness. The Fund will play a key role in channelling new, additional, adequate and predictable financial resources to developing countries and will catalyse climate finance, both public and private, and at the international and national levels. The Fund will pursue a country-driven approach and promote and strengthen engagement at the country level through effective involvement of relevant institutions and stakeholders. The Fund will be scalable and flexible and will be a continuously learning institution guided by processes for monitoring and evaluation. The Fund will strive to maximize the impact of its funding for adaptation and mitigation, and seek a balance between the two, while promoting environmental, social, economic and development co-benefits and taking a gender-sensitive approach.

II. Governance and institutional arrangements

A. Relationship to the Conference of the Parties

4. The Fund will be designated as an operating entity of the financial mechanism under Article 11 of the Convention and will be accountable to and function under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties (COP).

5. The Fund will be governed and supervised by a Board that will have full responsibility for funding decisions.

6. Arrangements will be concluded between the COP and the Fund, consistent with Article 11 of the Convention, to ensure that the Fund is accountable to and functions under the guidance of the COP. In order to ensure accountability to the COP, pursuant to Article 11, paragraph 3, the Board will:

  • (a) Receive guidance from the COP, including on matters related to policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria, and matters related thereto;
  • (b) Take appropriate action in response to the guidance received;
  • (c) Submit annual reports to the COP for its consideration and receive further guidance.

B. Legal status

7. In order to operate effectively internationally, the Fund will posses juridical personality and will have such legal capacity as is necessary for the exercise of its functions and the protection of its interests.

8. The Fund will enjoy such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the fulfilment of its purposes. The officials of the Fund will similarly enjoy such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the independent exercise of their official functions in connection with the Fund.

C. Rules of procedure of the Board

1. Composition

9. The Board will have 24 members, composed of an equal number of members from developing and developed country Parties. Representation from developing country Parties will include representatives of relevant United Nations regional groupings and representatives from small island developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs).

10. Each Board member will have an alternate member, with alternate members entitled to participate in the meetings of the Board only through the principal member, without the right to vote, unless they are serving as the member. During the absence of the member from all or part of a meeting of the Board, his or her alternate will serve as the member.

2. Selection of Board members

11. The members of the Board and their alternates will be selected by their respective constituency or regional group within a constituency. Members of the Board will have the necessary experience and skills, notably in the areas of climate change and development finance, with due consideration given to gender balance.

3. Term of membership

12. Members and alternate members will serve for a term of three years and be eligible to serve additional terms as determined by their constituency.

4. Chairmanship

13. Two co-chairs of the Board will be elected by the Board members from within their membership to serve for a period of one year, with one being a member from a developed country Party and the other being a member from a developing country Party.

5. Decision-making

14. Decisions of the Board will be taken by consensus of the Board members. The Board will develop procedures for adopting decisions in the event that all efforts at reaching consensus have been exhausted.

6. Quorum

15. A two-thirds majority of Board members must be present at a meeting to constitute a quorum.

7. Observers

16. The Board will make arrangements, including developing and operating accreditation processes, to allow for effective participation by accredited observers in its meetings. The Board will invite, to participate as active observers: two civil society representatives, one each from developing and developed countries, and two private sector representatives, one each from developing and developed countries.

8. Additional rules of procedure

17. Additional rules of procedures will be developed by the Board.

D. Role and functions of the Board

18. The Board of the Fund will:

(a) Oversee the operation of all relevant components of the Fund;

(b) Approve operational modalities, access modalities and funding structures;

(c) Approve specific operational policies and guidelines, including for programming, project cycle, administration, and financial management;

(d) Approve funding in line with the Fund’s principles, criteria, modalities, policies and programmes;

(e) Develop environmental and social safeguards and fiduciary principles and standards that are internationally accepted;

(f) Develop criteria and application processes for the accreditation of implementing entities of the Fund and accredit implementing entities and withdraw such accreditation;

(g) Establish subcommittees and panels and define their terms of reference, as appropriate;

(h) Establish additional thematic windows and/or substructures to address specific activities, as appropriate;

(i) Establish a framework for the monitoring and evaluation of performance and the financial accountability of activities supported by the Fund and any necessary external audits;

(j) Review and approve the administrative budget of the Fund and arrange for performance reviews and audits;

(k) Appoint the Executive Director of the secretariat;

(l) Appoint the head of the evaluation unit and the heads of all accountability units;

(m) Receive guidance and take action in response to any guidance from the COP and prepare annual reports to the COP on its activities;

(n) Develop working and coordination arrangements with other relevant bodies under the Convention and other relevant international institutions;

(o) Select, appoint and enter into legal and administrative arrangements with the trustee;

(p) Exercise such other functions as may be appropriate to fulfil the objectives of the Fund.

E. Secretariat

1. Establishment of the secretariat

19. The Fund will establish a secretariat, which will be fully independent. The secretariat will service and be accountable to the Board. It will have effective management capabilities to execute the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

20. The secretariat will be headed by an Executive Director with the necessary experiences and skills, who will be appointed by and be accountable to the Board. The Board will approve the job description and qualifications for the Executive Director. The Executive Director will be selected through a merit-based, open and transparent process.

21. The secretariat will be staffed with professional staff with relevant experience. The staff selection will be managed by the Executive Director and will be open, transparent and based on merit, taking into account geographical and gender balance.

22. The selection of the host country of the Fund will be an open and transparent process. The selection of the host country will be endorsed by the COP.

2. Functions

23. The secretariat will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund, providing administrative, legal and financial expertise. In particular, the secretariat will:

  • (a) Organize and execute all administrative duties;
  • (b) Report information on the Fund’s activities;
  • (c) Liaise with members, implementing entities, and cooperating bilateral and multilateral institutions and agencies;
  • (d) Prepare performance reports on the implementation of activities under the Fund;
  • (e) Develop the work programme and annual administrative budget of the secretariat and trustee and submit them for approval by the Board;
  • (f) Operationalize the project and programme cycle processes;
  • (g) Prepare financial agreements related to the specific financing instrument to be concluded with an implementing entity;
  • (h) Monitor the financial risks of the outstanding portfolio;
  • (i) Work with the trustee to support the Board to enable it to carry out its responsibilities;
  • (j) Carry out monitoring and evaluation functions;
  • (k) Support the Board in arranging replenishment processes;
  • (l) Establish and run effective knowledge management practices;
  • (m) Perform any other functions assigned by the Board.

F. Trustee

24. The Fund will have a trustee with administrative competence to manage the financial assets of the Fund. The trustee will maintain appropriate financial records and will prepare financial statements and other reports required by the Board, in accordance with internationally accepted fiduciary standards.

25. The trustee will administer the assets of the Fund only for the purpose of, and in accordance with, the relevant decisions of the Board. The trustee will hold the assets of the Fund separate and apart from the assets of the trustee, but may commingle them for administrative and investment purposes with other assets maintained by the trustee. The trustee will establish and maintain separate records and accounts in order to identify the assets of the Fund.

26. The World Bank will serve as interim trustee for the Fund, subject to a review three years after the operationalization of the Fund.

27. The trustee will be accountable to the Board for the performance of its responsibilities as trustee for the Fund.

III. Administrative costs

28. The Fund will finance the operating costs of the Board, secretariat and trustee.

IV. Financial inputs

29. The Fund will receive financial inputs from developed country Parties to the Convention.

30. The Fund may also receive financial inputs from a variety of other sources, public and private, including alternative sources.

V. Operational modalities

31. The Fund will provide simplified and improved access to funding, including direct access, basing its activities on a country-driven approach and will encourage the involvement of relevant stakeholders, including vulnerable groups and addressing gender aspects.

32. The Board will steer the Fund’s operations so that they evolve with the Fund’s scale and maturity and will exercise flexibility to allow the Fund to evolve over time and become the main global fund for climate change finance.

A. Complementarity and coherence

33. The Fund shall operate in the context of appropriate arrangements between itself and other existing funds under the Convention, and between itself and other funds, entities, and channels of climate change financing outside the Fund.

34. The Board will develop methods to enhance complementarity between the activities of the Fund and the activities of other relevant bilateral, regional and global funding mechanisms and institutions, to better mobilize the full range of financial and technical capacities. The Fund will promote coherence in programming at the national level through appropriate mechanisms. The Fund will also initiate discussions on coherence in climate finance delivery with other relevant multilateral entities.

B. Eligibility

35. All developing country Parties to the Convention are eligible to receive resources from the Fund. The Fund will finance agreed full and agreed incremental costs for activities to enable and support enhanced action on adaptation, mitigation (including REDD-plus), technology development and transfer (including carbon capture and storage), capacitybuilding and the preparation of national reports by developing countries.

36. The Fund will support developing countries in pursuing project-based and programmatic approaches in accordance with climate change strategies and plans, such as low-emission development strategies or plans, nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs), national adaptation plans of action (NAPAs), national adaptation plans (NAPs) and other related activities.

C. Funding windows and fund structure

37. The Fund will have thematic funding windows. Initially, the Fund will have windows for adaptation and mitigation. An integrated approach to funding mitigation and adaptation will be used to allow for cross-cutting projects and programmes.

38. The Board shall also ensure adequate resources for capacity-building and technology development and transfer. The Fund will also provide resources for innovative and replicable approaches.

39. The Board will consider the need for additional windows. The Board will have the authority to add, modify and remove additional windows and substructures or facilities as appropriate.

1. Readiness and preparatory support

40. The Fund will provide resources for readiness and preparatory activities and technical assistance, such as the preparation or strengthening of low-emission development strategies or plans, NAMAs, NAPs, NAPAs and for in-country institutional strengthening, including the strengthening of capacities for country coordination and to meet fiduciary principles and standards and environmental and social safeguards, in order to enable countries to directly access the Fund.

2. Private sector

41. The Fund will have a private sector facility that enables it to directly and indirectly finance private sector mitigation and adaptation activities at the national, regional and international levels.

42. The operation of the facility will be consistent with a country-driven approach.

43. The facility will promote the participation of private sector actors in developing countries, in particular local actors, including small- and medium-sized enterprises and local financial intermediaries. The facility will also support activities to enable private sector involvement in SIDS and LDCs. Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.

44. The Board will develop the necessary arrangements, including access modalities, to operationalize the facility.

D. Access modalities and accreditation

45. Access to Fund resources will be through national, regional and international implementing entities accredited by the Board. Recipient countries will determine the mode of access and both modalities can be used simultaneously.

46. Recipient countries may designate a national authority. This national designated authority will recommend to the Board funding proposals in the context of national climate strategies and plans, including through consultation processes. The national designated authorities will be consulted on other funding proposals for consideration prior to submission to the Fund, to ensure consistency with national climate strategies and plans.

1. Direct access

47. Recipient countries will nominate competent subnational, national and regional implementing entities for accreditation to receive funding. The Board will consider additional modalities that further enhance direct access, including through funding entities with a view to enhancing country ownership of projects and programmes.

2. International access

8. Recipient countries will also be able to access the Fund through accredited international entities, including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and regional institutions.

3. Accreditation

49. The Board will develop, manage and oversee an accreditation process for all implementing entities based on specific accreditation criteria that reflect the Fund’s fiduciary principles and standards and environmental and social safeguards.

E. Allocation

50. The Board will balance the allocation of resources between adaptation and mitigation activities under the Fund and ensure appropriate allocation of resources for other activities.

51. A results-based approach will be an important criterion for allocating resources.

52. In allocating resources for adaptation, the Board will take into account the urgent and immediate needs of developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including LDCs, SIDS and African States, using minimum allocation floors for these countries as appropriate. The Board will aim for appropriate geographical balance.

F. Programming and approval processes

53. The Fund will have a streamlined programming and approval process to enable timely disbursement. The Board will develop simplified processes for the approval of proposals for certain activities, in particular small-scale activities.

VI. Financial instruments

54. The Fund will provide financing in the form of grants and concessional lending, and through other modalities, instruments or facilities as may be approved by the Board. Financing will be tailored to cover the identifiable additional costs of the investment necessary to make the project viable. The Fund will seek to catalyse additional public and private finance through its activities at the national and international levels.

55. The Fund may employ results-based financing approaches, including, in particular for incentivizing mitigation actions, payment for verified results, where appropriate.

56. Financial management practices and financing agreements will be in keeping with the Fund’s fiduciary principles and standards and environmental and social safeguards to be adopted by the Board. The Board will develop an appropriate risk management policy for funding and financial instruments.

VII. Monitoring

57. The programmes and projects, as well as other activities, funded by the Fund will be regularly monitored for impact, efficiency and effectiveness in line with rules and procedures established by the Board. The use of participatory monitoring involving stakeholders will be encouraged.

58. A results measurement framework with guidelines and appropriate performance indicators will be approved by the Board. Performance against these indicators will be reviewed periodically in order to support the continuous improvement of the Fund’s impact, effectiveness and operational performance.

VIII. Evaluation

59. There will be periodic independent evaluations of the performance of the Fund in order to provide an objective assessment of the results of the Fund, including its funded activities and its effectiveness and efficiency. The purpose of these independent evaluations is to inform decision-making by the Board and to identify and disseminate lessons learned. The results of the periodic evaluations will be published.

60. To this end, the Board will establish an operationally independent evaluation unit as part of the core structure of the Fund. The head of the unit will be selected by, and will report to, the Board. The frequency and types of evaluation to be conducted will be specified by the unit in agreement with the Board.

61. Reports of the Fund’s independent evaluation unit will be provided to the COP for purposes of periodic reviews of the financial mechanism of the Convention.

62. The COP may commission an independent assessment of the overall performance of the Fund, including Board performance.

IX. Fiduciary standards

63. The Board will agree on, adopt, and ensure the application of best practice fiduciary principles and standards to the Fund’s entities, the trustee’s function related to the Fund, and to all operations, projects and programmes financed by the Fund, including the implementing entities.

64. The Fund will support the strengthening of capacities in recipient countries, where needed, to be able to meet the Fund’s fiduciary principles and standards, based on modalities that will be established by the Board.

X. Environmental and social safeguards

65. The Board will agree on and adopt best practice environmental and social safeguards, which shall be applied to all programmes and projects financed using the resources of the Fund.

66. The Fund will support the strengthening of capacities in recipient countries, where needed, to enable them to meet the Fund’s environmental and social safeguards, based on modalities that shall be developed by the Board.

XI. Accountability mechanisms

67. The Fund’s operations will be subject to an information disclosure policy that will be developed by the Board.

68. The Board will establish an independent integrity unit, to work with the secretariat and report to the Board, to investigate allegations of fraud and corruption in coordination with relevant counterpart authorities.

69. The Board will establish an independent redress mechanism that will report to the Board. The mechanism will receive complaints related to the operation of the Fund and will evaluate and make recommendations.

XII. Expert and technical advice

70. In carrying out its functions the Board will develop mechanisms to draw on appropriate expert and technical advice, including from the relevant thematic bodies established under the Convention, as appropriate.

XIII. Stakeholder input and participation

71. The Board will develop mechanisms to promote the input and participation of stakeholders, including private-sector actors, civil society organizations, vulnerable groups, women and indigenous peoples, in the design, development and implementation of the strategies and activities to be financed by the Fund.

XIV. Termination of the Fund

72. Termination of the Fund will be approved by the COP based on a recommendation of the Board.

Decision 2/CP.17

Outcome of the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention, Standing Committee on Finance

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GB
RR
Event 
COP17
Year 
2011
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

This annex states the Standing Committee shall be composed of members nominated by Parties for approval by the Conference of the Parties, taking into account the need to achieve gender balance in accordance with decision 36/CP.7.

Elaborated language

Annex VI

Composition and working modalities of the Standing Committee

1. The Standing Committee shall be composed of the following:

(a) Ten members from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties);

(b) Ten members from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (nonAnnex I Parties), including two members each from the African, Asia-Pacific, and the Latin America and Caribbean States, one member from a small island developing State and one member from a least developed country Party.

2. The Standing Committee shall be composed of members nominated by Parties for approval by the Conference of the Parties, who shall have the necessary experience and skills, notably in the areas of climate change, development and finance, taking into account the need to achieve gender balance in accordance with decision 36/CP.7.

3. Standing Committee members shall serve for a term of two years, with the option of seeking additional terms.

4. The Standing Committee shall elect annually a chair and a vice-chair from among its members for a term of one year each, with one being a member from a non-Annex I Party and the other being a member from an Annex I Party. The positions of chair and vice-chair shall alternate annually between a member from a developed country Party and a member from a developing country Party.

5. The Standing Committee shall develop further modalities for the participation of observers from the operating entities of the financial mechanism of the Convention, from funding entities (multilateral, bilateral and regional) involved in climate finance and from observer organizations from the private sector and civil society admitted to the Convention.

6. The Standing Committee shall draw upon additional expertise as it may deem necessary.

7. The Standing Committee shall meet at least twice a year, or more if necessary, and its first meeting shall take place prior to the thirty-sixth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation.

8. The Standing Committee shall reach its conclusions by consensus.

9. The secretariat shall provide administrative support for the work of the Standing Committee.

10. The Conference of the Parties will conduct a review of the functions of the Standing Committee in 2015.

If you wish to read the full decision, including annexes, see the URL here. 

Decision 9/CP.19

Work programme on results-based finance to progress the full implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GM
Event 
COP19
Year 
2013
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

Recalled decision 12/CP.17, which agrees that safeguards should respect gender considerations. It encourages entities, when providing results-based finance, to apply the methodological guidance consistent with decision 12/CP.17. It requests the Green Climate Fund, when providing results-based finance, to apply the methodological guidance consistent with decision 12/CP.17 and it decides to establish an information hub on the web platform on the UNFCCC website, which will contain the summary of information on how all of the safeguards referred to in decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, are being addressed and respected, as referred to in decisions and 12/CP.17, chapter I.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions 2/CP.13, 4/CP.15, 1/CP.16, 2/CP.17, 12/CP.17, 1/CP.18 and 10/CP.19 to 15/CP.19,

Reaffirming that, in the context of the provision of adequate and predictable support to developing country Parties, Parties should collectively aim to slow, halt and reverse forest cover and carbon loss, in accordance with national circumstances, consistent with the ultimate objective of the Convention, as stated in its Article 2,

Recognizing the importance and necessity of adequate and predictable financial and technology support for developing all of the elements referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 71,

Also recognizing the need to scale up and improve the effectiveness of finance for the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, taking into account decision 2/CP.17, paragraphs 66 and 67,

Further recognizing the key role that the Green Climate Fund will play in channelling financial resources to developing countries and catalysing climate finance,

1. Reaffirms that results-based finance provided to developing country Parties for the full implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, that is new, additional and predictable may come from a variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources, as referred to in decision 2/CP.17, paragraph 65;

2. Also reaffirms that the progression of developing country Parties towards resultsbased actions occurs in the context of the provision of adequate and predictable support for all phases of the actions and activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraphs 70 and 73;

3. Recalls that for developing country Parties undertaking the results-based actions referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 73, to obtain and receive results-based finance, those actions should be fully measured, reported and verified, in accordance with decisions 13/CP.19 and 14/CP.19, and developing country Parties should have all of the elements referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 71, in place, in accordance with decisions 12/CP.17 and 11/CP.19;

4. Agrees that developing countries seeking to obtain and receive results-based payments in accordance with decision 2/CP.17, paragraph 64, should provide the most recent summary of information on how all of the safeguards referred to in decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, paragraph 2, have been addressed and respected before they can receive resultsbased payments;

5. Encourages entities financing the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, through the wide variety of sources referred to in decision 2/CP.17, paragraph 65, including the Green Climate Fund in a key role, to collectively channel adequate and predictable results-based finance in a fair and balanced manner, taking into account different policy approaches, while working with a view to increasing the number of countries that are in a position to obtain and receive payments for results-based actions;

6. Also encourages the entities referred to in paragraph 5 above, when providing results-based finance, to apply the methodological guidance consistent with decisions 4/CP.15, 1/CP.16, 2/CP.17, 12/CP.17 and 11/CP.19 to 15/CP.19, as well as this decision, in order to improve the effectiveness and coordination of results-based finance;

7. Requests the Green Climate Fund, when providing results-based finance, to apply the methodological guidance consistent with decisions 4/CP.15, 1/CP.16, 2/CP.17, 12/CP.17 and 11/CP.19 to 15/CP.19, as well as this decision, in order to improve the effectiveness and coordination of results-based finance;

8. Encourages entities financing the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, through the wide variety of sources referred to in decision 2/CP.17, paragraph 65, to continue to provide financial resources to alternative policy approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests;

9. Decides to establish an information hub on the web platform on the UNFCCC website1 as a means to publish information on the results of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, and corresponding results-based payments;

10. Notes that the information hub aims to increase transparency of information on results-based actions, on the corresponding payments, as well as information related to the elements referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 71, without creating additional requirements for developing country Parties;

11. Decides that the information hub will contain, as reported through the appropriate channels under the Convention:

(a) The results for each relevant period expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year and a link to the technical report referred to in decision 14/CP.19, paragraph 14;

(b) The assessed forest reference emission level(s) and/or forest reference level(s) expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year and a link to the final report of the technical assessment team referred to in decision 13/CP.19, paragraph 18;

(c) The summary of information on how all of the safeguards referred to in decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, are being addressed and respected, as referred to in decisions 12/CP.19 and 12/CP.17, chapter I;

(d) A link to the national strategy or action plan as referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 71(a), as appropriate;

(e) Information on the national forest monitoring system, as provided in the technical annex referred to in decision 14/CP.19;

12. Also decides that the information hub will also contain information on each of the results referred to in paragraph 11 above, including the quantity of results for which payments were received, expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, and the entity paying for results; 

13. Agrees that the information on results-based payments is to be inserted on the information hub in consultation with the developing country Party concerned, taking into full account decision 10/CP.19, paragraph 2;

14. Requests the secretariat to insert the information referred to in paragraph 11(a–e) above on the information hub once all of the information is available through the appropriate channels under the Convention, and to also insert the information referred to in paragraph 12 above;

15. Also requests the secretariat to organize, subject to the availability of supplementary resources, an expert meeting on the matters referred to in paragraphs 11–13 above as well as on a format for the insertion of the information referred to in paragraph 12 above before the forty-first session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (December 2014), and to prepare a report on that expert meeting for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its forty-first session;

16. Notes that the insertion of results on the information hub does not create any rights or obligations for any Party or other entity;

17. Also notes that the information on results included on the information hub should be linked to the same results reflected on any other relevant future system that may be developed under the Convention;

18. Further notes that nothing under this decision and its implementation prejudges any future decision with regard to the eligibility or non-eligibility of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, to the mechanism defined in decision 2/CP.17, paragraph 83, or to the outcome of the work programme referred to in decision 1/CP.18, paragraph 44;

19. Requests the secretariat to improve and further develop the web platform on the UNFCCC website to include the information referred to in paragraphs 11 and 12 above, and to make the information available in a simple, transparent and easily accessible manner;

20. Also requests the Standing Committee on Finance, noting the urgencies of these issues, and the request to the Standing Committee on Finance to consider, in its work on coherence and coordination, inter alia, the issue of financing for forests, taking into account different policy approaches, to focus its soonest possible forum on issues related to finance for forests, including the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, inter alia:

a) Ways and means to transfer payments for results-based actions as referred to in decision 1/CP.18, paragraph 29;

(b) The provision of financial resources for alternative approaches;

21. Further requests the Standing Committee on Finance to invite experts on the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, to the forum referred to in paragraph 20 above;

22. Recognizes the importance of incentivizing non-carbon benefits for the long-term sustainability of the implementation of the activities referred to in decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, and noting the work on methodological issues referred to in decision 1/CP.18, paragraph 40;

23. Takes note of the estimated budgetary implications of the activities to be undertaken by the secretariat as referred to in paragraphs 14, 15 and 19 above; 

24. Requests that the actions of the secretariat called for in this decision be undertaken subject to the availability of financial resources. 

Decision 8/CP.19

Fifth Review of the Financial Mechanism

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GB
GM
Event 
COP19
Year 
2013
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

Addressing the updated guidelines for the fifth review of the financial mechanism, this decision includes a criteria “the extent to which the financial mechanism is contributing to gender-sensitive approaches”, among the review criteria. The decision also recalls decision 2/CP.17, which advises that the composition of the Standing Committee take into account the need to achieve gender balance.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions 3/CP.4, 2/CP.12, 6/CP.13, 2/CP.16 and 2/CP.17,

Taking into account decision 8/CP.18,

1. Welcomes the draft updated guidelines provided by the Standing Committee on Finance as contained in its report to the Conference of the Parties;

2. Decides to adopt the updated guidelines annexed to this decision;

3. Requests the Standing Committee on Finance to continue to provide expert input to the fifth review of the financial mechanism, with a view to the review being finalized by the Conference of the Parties at its twentieth session (December 2014).

 

Annex

Updated guidelines for the fifth review of the financial mechanism

A. Objectives

1. In accordance with Article 11, paragraph 4, of the Convention, the objectives of the fifth review of the financial mechanism will be as follows:

(a) To review the financial mechanism and take appropriate measures regarding:

  • (i) Its conformity with the provisions of Article 11 of the Convention and the guidance provided by the Conference of the Parties (COP);
  • (ii) The effectiveness of the activities it funds in implementing the Convention;
  • (iii) Its effectiveness in providing financial resources on a grant or concessional basis, including for the transfer of technology, for the implementation of the Convention’s objective on the basis of the guidance provided by the COP;
  • (iv) Its effectiveness in providing resources to developing country Parties under Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Convention;
  • (v) The effectiveness of access modalities for developing countries;

(b) To examine how to improve consistency and complementarity of the financial mechanism with other sources of investment and financial flows, including:

  • (i) Examining relevant sources, channels and means of financing, as indicated in Article 11, paragraph 5, of the Convention, that would assist developing country Parties to contribute to the achievement of the objective of the Convention, in particular innovative means of financing, such as for the development of endogenous technologies in developing countries;
  • (ii) Examining the role of the financial mechanism in scaling up the level of resources;
  • (iii) Assessing enabling environments for catalysing investment in, and the transfer of, environmentally sound technologies that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and for enhancing resilience to climate change.

B. Sources of information

2. The review shall draw upon, inter alia, the following sources of information:

(a) Information provided by Parties on their experiences regarding the financial mechanism support provided and received in accordance with COP decisions;

(b) Annual reviews by the COP on the conformity of the activities of the financial mechanism with the guidance provided by the COP;

(c) The annual report of the Standing Committee on Finance to the COP on its activities and other relevant information documents regarding the Standing Committee on Finance;

(d) The annual report of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to the COP on its activities as an operating entity of the financial mechanism, including the information on the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund, and other relevant GEF policy and information documents;

(e) The reports from the GEF Independent Evaluation Office;

(f) The annual report of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to the COP on its activities as an operating entity of the financial mechanism and other relevant GCF policy and information documents;

(g) The report of the Adaptation Fund Board to the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the outcomes of the initial review of the Adaptation Fund;

(h) The outcomes and reports from the United Nations processes, relevant bilateral and multilateral funding institutions and other intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations dealing with climate change financing;

(i) Relevant reports on private-sector financing and investment for climate change activities;

(j) Technical papers and reports prepared by the secretariat at the request of the COP, which are relevant to the financial needs of developing country Parties under the Convention;

(k) Information contained in the national communications of Parties to the Convention, technology needs assessments and national adaptation programmes of action;

(l) Information on fast-start finance provided by developed country Parties and other information on fast-start finance;

(m) The reports on the work programme on long-term finance;

(n) The report on the workshops of the work programme under decisions 1/CP.16 and 2/CP.17 on policy approaches and positive incentives;

(o) The reports of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group and the Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention.

C. Criteria

3. The effectiveness of the financial mechanism will be assessed taking into account the following:

(a) The transparency of decision-making processes of the operating entities of the financial mechanism;

(b) The level of stakeholder involvement;

(c) The extent to which the financial mechanism is contributing to gender-sensitive approaches;

(d) The adequacy, predictability, accessibility and timely disbursement of funds for activities in developing country Parties;

(e) The responsiveness and efficiency of the GEF project cycle and expedited procedures, including its operational strategy, as they relate to climate change;

(f) The amount of resources provided to developing country Parties, including financing for technical assistance and investment projects, and the mechanisms for country allocation, as well as the results and impacts achieved by the resources provided;

(g) The amount of finance leveraged and modalities of co-financing when applicable;

(h) The extent to which the resources provided are contributing to achieving the objectives of the Convention;

(i) The sustainability of funded programmes, projects and operations in developing country Parties;

(j) The extent to which the financial mechanism is contributing to country ownership of programmes and projects.

Decision 4/CP.19

Report of the Green Climate Fund to the Conference of the Parties and guidance to the Green Climate Fund

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GB
GM
Event 
COP19
Year 
2013
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

Recalled decision 3/CP.17 which has references to a gender-sensitive approach and gender balance in the GCF guiding principles and governance. Additionally requested Board members to ensure in its consideration and finalization of the GCF’s access modalities to take into account institutions covered by the Boards agreement on best practice environmental and social standards.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling Articles 4 and 11 of the Convention,

Taking into account decision 11/CP.1,

Recalling decisions 1/CP.16, 3/CP.17, 1/CP.18, 6/CP.18 and 7/CP.18,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the second annual report of the Board of the Green Climate Fund to the Conference of the Parties as contained in document FCCC/CP/2013/6;

2. Welcomes the Board’s decisions to establish the independent secretariat and the selection of Ms. Héla Cheikhrouhou as the Executive Director of the independent secretariat of the Green Climate Fund;

3. Also welcomes the conclusion and entry into force of the Headquarters Agreement between the Green Climate Fund and the Government of the Republic of Korea;

4. Takes note of the termination of the interim arrangements for the operation of the interim secretariat and expresses its appreciation to the UNFCCC and Global Environment Facility secretariats for supporting the interim secretariat;

5. Welcomes the adoption of the third administrative budget of the Green Climate Fund, which will enable the establishment of the independent secretariat in Songdo, Incheon City, Republic of Korea;

6. Notes the progress made by the Board to ensure the operationalization of the Green Climate Fund, including the adoption of its 2014 workplan and the resource mobilization process;

A. Initial guidance to the Green Climate Fund

7. Confirms that the provisions contained in Article 11 of the Convention, and decisions 11/CP.1, 1/CP.16 and 3/CP.17, and the governing instrument for the Green Climate Fund, and decision 6/CP.18, together with decision 5/CP.19, constitute the initial guidance for the Green Climate Fund;

8. Decides to adopt the following initial guidance on policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria for the Green Climate Fund, as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention;

9. Requests the Green Climate Fund:

(a) To balance the allocation of resources between adaptation and mitigation, and ensure an appropriate allocation of resources for other activities;

(b) To pursue a country-driven approach;

(c) In allocating resources for adaptation, the Green Climate Fund will take into account the urgent and immediate needs of developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change; 

10. Confirms that all developing country Parties to the Convention are eligible to receive resources from the Green Climate Fund;

B. Additional guidance to the Green Climate Fund

11. Stresses the need to achieve full operationalization of the Green Climate Fund, and in this regard urges the Board to an expeditious implementation of its 2014 workplan, including elements of decision 6/CP.18;

12. Urges the Board to finalize as soon as possible the essential requirements to receive, manage, programme and disburse financial resources in line with the approved workplan of the Board so that the Green Climate Fund can commence its initial resource mobilization process as soon as possible and transition subsequently to a formal replenishment process;

13. Calls for ambitious and timely contributions by developed countries to enable an effective operationalization, including for readiness and preparatory support of the Green Climate Fund that reflects the needs and challenges of developing countries in addressing climate change in the context of preparing, by the twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties (December 2014), the initial resource mobilization process described in paragraph 12 above;

14. Underlines that initial resource mobilization should reach a very significant scale that reflects the needs and challenges of developing countries in addressing climate change;

15. Invites financial inputs from a variety of other sources, public and private, including alternative sources, for the Board’s initial resource mobilization process;

16. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund:

(a) To consider important lessons learned on country-driven processes from other existing funds;

(b) To ensure that in its consideration and finalization of the Green Climate Fund’s access modalities, the Board takes into account the institutions already accredited by relevant institutions covered by the Board’s agreement on the best practice fiduciary standards and principles and environmental and social standards;

(c) To report to the Conference of Parties at its twentieth session on progress made in the implementation of this decision, as well as the implementation of decision 6/CP.18;

17. Invites Parties to submit to the secretariat annually, and no later than 10 weeks prior to the subsequent session of the Conference of the Parties, their views and recommendations in writing on the elements to be taken into account in developing guidance to the operating entities of the financial mechanism of the Convention. 

Decision 7/CP.20

Report of the Green Climate Fund to the Conference of the Parties and guidance to the Green Climate Fund

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GB
Event 
COP20
Year 
2014
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

Urges the Green Climate Fund to ensure that staff selection is open, transparent and based on merit without discrimination, taking into account geographical and gender balance, in accordance with the administrative policies of the Green Climate Fund;

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling Articles 4 and 11 of the Convention,

Taking into account decision 11/CP.1,

Recalling decisions 1/CP.16, 3/CP.17, 1/CP.18, 6/CP.18, 7/CP.18, 4/CP.19 and 5/CP.19,

1. Welcomes the report of the Green Climate Fund to the Conference of the Parties,1 in particular the detailed and comprehensive list of responses of the Green Climate Fund Board to guidance received from the Conference of the Parties; 

2. Notes with appreciation the progress made by the Green Climate Fund, and the information contained thereon in the report of the Green Climate Fund, in particular the decision on the confirmation of the completion of the essential requirements and the commencement of the initial resource mobilization process;

3. Welcomes with appreciation the successful and timely initial resource mobilization process of the Green Climate Fund that led to the mobilization of USD 10.2 billion to date by contributing Parties,3 enabling the Green Climate Fund to start its activities in supporting developing country Parties of the Convention, and making it the largest dedicated climate fund;

4. Requests the Green Climate Fund to ensure that the ongoing resource mobilization efforts are commensurate with the ambitions of the Fund, and calls for contributions by other developed country Parties,4 as well as invites financial inputs from a variety of other sources, public and private, including alternative sources,5 throughout the initial resource mobilization process;

5. Urges the Green Climate Fund, the Interim Trustee, and contributors to confirm the pledges in the form of fully executed contribution agreements/arrangements, taking note that the commitment authority of the Green Climate Fund will become effective when 50 per cent of the contributions pledged by the November 2014 pledging session are reflected in fully executed contribution agreements/arrangements received by the secretariat no later than 30 April 2015 as provided for in Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/13, annex XIX, paragraph 1(c);

6. Notes Green Climate Fund Board decisions, including the decisions made at its 8th meeting, regarding the formal replenishment process for the Fund; 

7. Welcomes Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/07 to start taking decisions on the approval of projects and programmes no later than its 3rd meeting in 2015;

8. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to accelerate the operationalization of the adaptation and mitigation windows, and to ensure adequate resources for capacitybuilding and technology development and transfer, consistent with paragraph 38 of the Governing Instrument; 

9. Also requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to accelerate the operationalization of the private sector facility by aiming to ensure that private sector entities and public entities with relevant experience in working with the private sector are accredited in 2015, expediting action to engage local private sector actors in developing country Parties, including small- and medium-sized enterprises in the least developed countries, small island developing States and African States, emphasizing a country-driven approach, expediting action to mobilize resources at scale, and developing a strategic approach to engaging with the private sector;

10. Further requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund, in the implementation of its 2015 workplan, to complete its work related to policies and procedures to accept financial inputs from non-public and alternative sources, the investment and risk management frameworks of the Green Climate Fund, the impact analysis on its initial results areas, including options for determining Board level investment portfolios across the structure of the Fund,7 and the approval process of the Fund, including methodologies for selecting programmes and projects that best achieve the objectives of the Fund; 

11. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to consider ways by which to further increase the transparency of its proceedings;

12. Also requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to accelerate the implementation of its work programme on readiness and preparatory support, ensuring that adequate resources are provided for its execution, including from the initial resource mobilization process, providing urgent support to developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, small island developing States and African States, led by their national designated authorities or focal points to build institutional capacities in accordance with Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/11;

13. Encourages the timely implementation of the accreditation framework and requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund, in its implementation, to pay adequate attention to the priorities and needs of developing country Parties, including the least developed countries, small island developing States and African States, emphasizing the need to provide readiness support to those national and regional entities eligible for fast tracking that request it;

14. Invites developing country Parties to expedite the nomination of their national designated authorities and focal points as soon as possible, as well as the selection of their national and subnational implementing entities, to facilitate their engagement with the Green Climate Fund;

15. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund, when deciding its policies and programme priorities, to consider the information and lessons learned through engagement with other relevant bodies under the Convention, and other relevant international institutions; 

16. Also requests the Green Climate Fund to enhance its collaboration with existing funds under the Convention and other climate relevant funds in order to enhance the complementarity and coherence of policies and programming at the national level;

17. Further requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to further enhance the participation of all stakeholders in accordance with paragraph 71 of the Governing Instrument and other relevant Board decisions;

18. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund:

(a) To develop a monitoring and accountability framework in accordance with Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/02;

(b) To consider decisions relevant to REDD-plus,9 including decisions 1/CP.16, 2/CP.17, 12/CP.17 and decisions 9/CP.19, 10/CP.19, 11/CP.19, 12/CP.19, 13/CP.19, 14/CP.19 and 15/CP.19;

19. Urges the Green Climate Fund to ensure that staff selection is open, transparent and based on merit without discrimination, taking into account geographical and gender balance, in accordance with the administrative policies of the Green Climate Fund; 

20. Takes note of Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/24 on the institutional linkage between the United Nations and the Green Climate Fund, and requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to continue further deliberations on privileges and immunities, and to report on this matter to the Conference of the Parties at its twenty-first session (November–December 2015);

21. Urges developing country Parties to enter into bilateral agreements with the Green Climate Fund based on the template to be approved by the Board of the Green Climate Fund, in order to provide privileges and immunities for the Fund, in accordance with Green Climate Fund Board decision B.08/24, paragraph (b);

22. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to report biennially to the Conference of the Parties on the status of existing privileges and immunities with regard to its operational activities, starting at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties;

23. Also requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to make available its annual report in a timely manner and no later than 12 weeks prior to a session of the Conference of the Parties in accordance with decision 6/CP.18, paragraph 15, for due consideration by Parties;

24. Further requests the Green Climate Fund to include in its annual report to the Conference of the Parties the recommendations of its independent redress mechanism, if any, and any actions taken by the Board in response to those recommendations;11

25. Requests the Board of the Green Climate Fund to report to the Conference of the Parties at its twenty-first session on progress made in the implementation of this decision, as well as the elements and provisions of the guidance contained in decisions 3/CP.17, 6/CP.18, 4/CP.19 and 5/CP.19;

26. Invites Parties to submit to the secretariat annually, and no later than 10 weeks prior to the subsequent session of the Conference of the Parties, their views and recommendations in writing on the elements to be taken into account in developing guidance to the Green Climate Fund; 

27. Requests the secretariat to compile the submissions referred to in paragraph 26 above into a miscellaneous document for consideration by Parties in developing guidance through the Standing Committee on Finance to the Green Climate Fund. 

Decision 9/CP.20

Fifth Review of the Financial Mechanism

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GM
Event 
COP20
Year 
2014
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

The GEF secretariat is currently developing a Gender Action Plan to be presented to the GEF Council in October 2014.

In light of the provisions of its governing instrument to take a Fund-wide ‘gender-sensitive approach’, the GCF has committed to integrating gender considerations in its procedures and operational modalities, approving an initial results management framework with provisions for sex-disaggregated indicators, including initial criteria for assessing programmes and projects proposals that include gender aspects.

In developing its own approach to gender mainstreaming, the GCF could build on the experience of the GEF. It is recommended that gender equality be integrated in the structure and organisation of the GCF itself, and that gender sensitive criteria are taken into account in funding approvals of the fund.

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions 3/CP.4, 2.CP.12, 1/CP.16, 2/CP.16 and 8/CP.19,

Welcoming the progress made by the Board of the Green Climate Fund in operationalizing the Green Climate Fund,

Noting that the fifth review of the Financial Mechanism focused on the Global Environment Facility owing to the fact that the Green Climate Fund is still developing its operations and that therefore it was premature to review many aspects of the Green Climate Fund,

1. Welcomes with appreciation the expert input to the fifth review of the Financial Mechanism provided by the Standing Committee on Finance, contained in the technical paper referred to in paragraph 3 below;

2. Encourages the Standing Committee on Finance to build on the same methodology and criteria in future reviews of the Financial Mechanism;

3. Acknowledges the executive summary of the technical paper on the fifth review1 , as contained in the annex, including the conclusions and recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Finance;

4. Encourages the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism to address, as appropriate, these recommendations in their future work, particularly with regard to the complementarity between the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism;

5. Recognizes the general positive assessment of the performance of the Global Environment Facility;

6. Notes, however, that the least developed countries and small island developing States still experience challenges in accessing the resources from the Global Environment Facility;

7. Decides to consider the timing of guidance provided by the Conference of the Parties to the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism, especially that guidance which has resource implications vis-à-vis the replenishment cycles of the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism, in order to ensure that key guidance is fully considered in the programming strategies and policy recommendations associated with each replenishment period of the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism;

8. Also decides to initiate the sixth review of the Financial Mechanism at its twentysecond session (November 2016), in accordance with the criteria contained in the guidelines annexed to decision 8/CP.19, or as these guidelines may be subsequently amended;

9. Requests the Standing Committee on Finance to provide expert input to the sixth review of the Financial Mechanism in 2017 with a view to the review being completed by the Conference of the Parties at its twenty-third session (November 2017). 

 

Annex

Executive summary of the technical paper on the fifth review of the Financial Mechanism 

II. Key insights, conclusions and possible recommendations

A. Governance

3. Gender-sensitive approaches

15. The sub-study on gender mainstreaming made in the context of the fifth overall performance study of the GEF found that the GEF secretariat had made significant efforts to implement a gender mainstreaming policy, while there was scope for improvement in the application of the policy by GEF agencies. In addition, the policy recommendation of the sixth replenishment period of the GEF on further work on gender mainstreaming emphasized that more concerted efforts need to be made in order to enhance gender mainstreaming within the GEF. Accordingly, the GEF secretariat is currently developing a Gender Action Plan, which will identify ways to enhance gender mainstreaming, including the use of relevant gender-sensitive indicators and sex-disaggregated data. The Action Plan will be presented to the GEF Council in October 2014.

16. In the light of the provisions of its governing instrument to take a Fund-wide “gender-sensitive approach”, the GCF has committed to integrating gender considerations in its procedures and operational modalities. At its seventh meeting, the GCF Board approved an initial results management framework with provisions for sex-disaggregated indicators, including initial criteria for assessing programmes and projects proposals that include gender aspects. The GCF secretariat is currently preparing a draft gender action policy and action plan for consideration by the Board at its meeting in October 2014.

Conclusion and recommendation

17. The GEF has made considerable progress in mainstreaming gender into its activities. Since there is scope for improvement, an action plan is to be approved by the GEF Council in October 2014 and the results of this progress are expected to be reflected in the programmes and projects of the GEF.

18. In developing its own approach to gender mainstreaming, the GCF could build on the experience of the GEF. It is recommended that gender equality be integrated in the structure and organization of the GCF itself, and that gender-sensitive criteria be taken into account in funding approvals of the Fund.

To read the full annex, see the link here.

Decision 8/CP.20

Report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties and guidance to the Global Environment Facility

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GM
Event 
COP20
Year 
2014
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

7. Welcomes the gender mainstreaming policy of the Global Environment Facility; 

8. Requests the Global Environment Facility to ensure that gender mainstreaming is implemented both within its portfolio and within its structure;

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions 12/CP.2, 3/CP.16, 5/CP.16, 7/CP.16, 11/CP.17, 9/CP.18 and 6/CP.19,

Taking note with appreciation of the annual report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties,

Taking note of the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance contained in its report to the Conference of the Parties with regard to the provision of draft guidance to the Global Environment Facility,

1. Welcomes with appreciation the sixth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (July 2014 to June 2018), while urging countries that have not fulfilled their pledges for the fifth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility to do so as soon as possible;

2. Notes that the amount of funding available for the climate change focal area was reduced in the sixth replenishment period of the Global Environment Facility and that the country allocation of some countries, including some least developed countries, small island developing States, and African States has decreased as a consequence, while highlighting that funding for climate change related interventions at the Global Environment Facility has continued to increase with pilot integrated approaches;

3. Welcomes the pledges and contributions made to the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund, and calls for continued support to these funds;

4. Notes the actions being taken by the Global Environment Facility to expedite its project cycle;

5. Encourages the Global Environment Facility to continue to cooperate with all its implementing and project agencies as well as recipient countries in order to improve its project cycle, taking into account the report of the fifth overall performance study of the Global Environment Facility3 and the recommendations contained therein;

6. Also encourages the Global Environment Facility to continue to increase the overall transparency and openness of its operations, particularly with regard to the disclosure of information on the status of the implementation of projects and programmes, the projectlevel accountability of its implementing agencies and with respect to the timely disbursement of funds, as well as the advice provided to countries on co-financing;

7. Welcomes the gender mainstreaming policy of the Global Environment Facility;

8. Requests the Global Environment Facility to ensure that gender mainstreaming is implemented both within its portfolio and within its structure;

9. Takes note of the policy on co-financing of the Global Environment Facility and the concerns regarding the implementation of this policy as raised by some Parties;

10. Encourages the Global Environment Facility to improve the communication of its co-financing policy so that it is better understood and appropriately applied by accredited project agencies and the implementing agencies of the Global Environment Facility, while acknowledging the potential impacts of this policy on developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries, small island developing States, and African States;

11. Also encourages the Global Environment Facility to finalize the accreditation of project agencies and to share, in its next report to the Conference of the Parties, lessons learned and progress made in its pilot accreditation of project agencies, particularly in the least developed countries, small island developing States and African States;

12. Requests the Global Environment Facility to continue to work with its implementing agencies to further simplify its procedures and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the process through which Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention receive funding to meet their obligations under Article 12, paragraph 1, of the Convention;

13. Invites Parties to submit to the secretariat annually, in writing, and no later than 10 weeks prior to the subsequent session of the Conference of the Parties, their views and recommendations on the elements to be taken into account in developing guidance to the Global Environment Facility;

14. Requests the Standing Committee on Finance to take into consideration the submissions referred to in paragraph 13 above when providing draft guidance to the Global Environment Facility for consideration by the Conference of the Parties;

15. Also requests the Global Environment Facility to include, in its annual report to the Conference of the Parties, information on the steps that it has taken to implement the guidance provided in this decision.

Decision 22/CP.21

Programme Budget for the Biennium 2016-2017

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GM
Event 
COP21
Year 
2015
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

19. Takes note of the funding estimates for the Trust Fund for Supplementary Activities specified by the Executive Secretary (EUR 51,647,777 for the biennium 2016–2017) (table 5);

Table 5: Resource Requirements for the Trust Fund for Supplementary Activities in the biennium 2016-2017

3. Support to gender mainstreaming in climate change policy and action: $398,800

Elaborated language

19. Takes note of the funding estimates for the Trust Fund for Supplementary Activities specified by the Executive Secretary (EUR 51,647,777 for the biennium 2016–2017) (table 5);

Table 5: Resource Requirements for the Trust Fund for Supplementary Activities in the biennium 2016-2017

3. Support to gender mainstreaming in climate change policy and action: $398,800

If you wish to read the full Programme budget for the biennium 2016–2017, see the URL here. 

Decision 2/CMP.12

Report of the Adaptation Fund Board

Theme
Finance
Tags 
GM
Event 
CMP12
Year 
2016
Gender references Elaborated language Download PDF

Gender reference

1. Notes the following information, actions and decisions relating to the Adaptation Fund contained in the report of the Adaptation Fund Board and the oral report provided by the Chair of the Adaptation Fund Board in November 2016:

(h) The approval of the gender policy and action plan of the Adaptation Fund;

Elaborated language

The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol,

Recalling decisions 1/CMP.3, 2/CMP.10 and 1/CMP.11,

Also recalling decision 1/CP.21,

Noting the annual report of the Adaptation Fund Board, 

1. Notes the following information, actions and decisions relating to the Adaptation Fund contained in the report of the Adaptation Fund Board and the oral report provided by the Chair of the Adaptation Fund Board in November 2016:

(a) The accreditation of 25 national implementing entities that can access resources from the Adaptation Fund directly, including 4 entities accredited during the reporting period, and the accreditation of 6 regional implementing entities, including 2 accredited during the reporting period;

(b) Cumulative project and programme approvals reaching USD 358 million as at 9 November 2016;

(c) Funds available for new funding approvals amounting to USD 230.5 million as at 17 November 2016;

(d) The approval of six project/programme proposals, totalling USD 36.8 million, submitted by implementing entities, including four proposals submitted by national implementing entities totalling USD 19.2 million;

(e) The cumulative receipts of USD 546.9 million into the Adaptation Trust Fund;

(f) The institutionalization of the readiness programme for direct access as a permanent component of the Adaptation Fund’s operations and the approval of South– South cooperation grants for Guinea, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe totalling USD 242,347, and technical assistance grants for Benin, Costa Rica, Micronesia (the Federated States of), Panama, Senegal and South Africa totalling USD 118,000;

(g) The endorsement of the first concepts and pre-concepts under the pilot programme for regional projects/programmes, as well as the decision of the Adaptation Fund Board to extend the opportunity to submit regional proposals beyond the pilot programme;

(h) The approval of the gender policy and action plan of the Adaptation Fund;

(i) The ongoing discussion on linkages between the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund;

(j) The fact that, in the light of the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement, the timelines given in paragraphs 59 and 60 of decision 1/CP.21 and paragraphs 8 and 9 of decision 1/CMP.11 may not align;

2. Decides to renew the interim institutional arrangements with the Global Environment Facility as the interim secretariat of the Adaptation Fund Board for an additional three years, from 30 May 2017 to 30 May 2020;

3. Also decides to restate the terms and conditions of the services to be provided by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank) as the interim trustee of the Adaptation Fund and to extend the term of the trustee’s services for an additional three years, from 30 May 2017 to 30 May 2020;

4. Welcomes the financial pledges and contributions made to the Adaptation Fund by the Governments of Germany, Italy, Sweden and the Flemish and Walloon Regions of Belgium, amounting to USD 81 million;

5. Takes note of the resource mobilization strategy of the Adaptation Fund Board;

6. Notes with concern issues related to the sustainability, adequacy and predictability of funding for the Adaptation Fund based on the current uncertainty on the prices of certified emission reductions, assigned amount units and emission reduction units;

7. Notes that the scale of funding required for projects in the active pipeline is estimated to be of the scale of USD 233.5 million and that the current available funds for new projects amount to USD 230.5 million, resulting in a current funding gap of USD 3 million;

8. Encourages developed country Parties to scale up financial resources for the implementation of adaptation projects in the active pipeline of the Adaptation Fund;

9. Also encourages the provision of voluntary support that is additional to the share of proceeds from clean development mechanism project activities in order to support the resource mobilization efforts of the Adaptation Fund Board, with a view to strengthening the Adaptation Fund;

10. Further encourages the Adaptation Fund Board, in implementing its resource mobilization strategy, to further consider all potential sources of funding;

11. Encourages the Adaptation Fund Board to continue its consideration of linkages between the Adaptation Fund and other funds, including the Green Climate Fund, and to report on its findings to the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol at its thirteenth session (November 2017);

12. Highlights the findings of the first stage of an independent overall evaluation of the Adaptation Fund,2 including that:

(a) The Adaptation Fund has pioneered several issues related to adaptation finance and is meeting developing countries’ needs, including those related to direct access;

(b) The design of the Adaptation Fund and its operational processes are efficient and largely coherent with guidance under the Convention and national adaptation priorities;

(c) The Adaptation Fund has allowed countries to advance the implementation of important measures at the national and subnational levels, with links to national policymaking;

(d) The policies adopted by the Adaptation Fund have created a solid foundation for operational success;

13. Takes note of the information provided by the Adaptation Fund Board on the added value of the Adaptation Fund for the operationalization of the Paris Agreement, as contained in the addendum to annex I to the report of the Adaptation Fund Board; 

14. Invites the Conference of the Parties to bring the information referred to in paragraph 13 above to the attention of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement. 

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