Ensuring Long-Term Support for Climate Initiatives

Last week I had the honour and privilege to meet with our long time supporter, Vice President and Fauna & Flora friend Sir David Attenborough and the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy. This was at the invitation of the Foreign Secretary to discuss the new government’s foreign policy ambitions for global leadership in encouraging international action on nature and climate. This was a wide-ranging discussion from the deep ocean, high seas and coastlines, to the temperate and tropical forests, grasslands and mountains. We are eager to support the work of this new Government through our efforts and to give voice and visibility to the local and community-based partners we work with worldwide who are most affected by climate change and biodiversity loss.    As the UK Government's nature and climate international policies evolve, here are five areas where I think they, and indeed other governments, can have a real and lasting impact as we go into the Biodiversity Summit (CoP16) and the next climate CoP29.   1.    Leadership in Nature Protection: The UK government has an opportunity to lead globally by focusing on proactive protection, restoration, and investment in nature, prioritising the improvement of natural resources for long-term benefits to people and the planet, while restoring marine and terrestrial ecosystems to mitigate climate change, enhance resilience, and protect vulnerable communities.   2.    The Ocean as a Climate Solution: The ocean plays a crucial role in combating climate change and promoting sustainable development. The UK must continue to support and invest in ocean-based climate solutions, such as coastal ecosystem restoration, which provide "no regrets" benefits for both nature and local communities.   3.    Nature Finance: Funds flowing to locally led approaches is the only route to legitimacy and sustainability in conservation, because local people, organisations and individuals are best suited to identify and implement appropriate conservation actions, and should be enabled, equipped, and funded to do so. The UK should seek opportunities and establish incentives for more effective and efficient funding systems.   4.    Private Sector's Role in Sustainability: Business will be essential for scaling solutions to climate and nature challenges. The UK government should create incentives for sustainable investments and encourage philanthropy, while pushing for transparency, responsible supply chains, and integrity in nature markets like carbon and biodiversity credits.   5.    Locally-Led Climate Adaptation: Climate change impacts are felt locally, and solutions must be driven by local communities. Top-down approaches are insufficient; instead, there must be support for locally-led adaptation and recovery efforts, with innovative funding that shares risks and encourages bold investments in nature.   #SavingNatureTogether Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Today in Science Magazine, Jasper Verschuur, Prof Nicola Ranger and I argue that climate adaptation finance is not demonstrably achieving the desired outcome, which is climate risk reduction. https://lnkd.in/dJ4mrxaM We propose five policy reforms that will help shift the focus from inputs to outputs and outcomes: 1. Better local climate risk information, for example for infrastructure, agriculture and people. We need to know the baseline risk if we are to understand whether adaptation finance is shifting the dial. 2. More specific adaptation strategies. Too often there's a gulf between what's in countries' National Adaptation Plans and what ends up happening on the ground. 3. Realistic financing, which takes account of countries' fiscal situation and how it may be impacted by climate shocks; along with a shortened time-frame for international finance mobilization. 4. Much more capable adaptation project delivery, by building local capacity, including in crucial institutions like planning departments and public works. 5. Rigorous monitoring of adaptation delivery and its outcomes in terms of climate risk reduction. Sorting this out won't happen overnight, and we argue that a long-term perspective shouldn't detract from early action to manage climate impacts that are happening now. We're grateful for support from the Climate Compatible Growth #CCG programme.

Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) are indispensable partners for sustainability-focused companies aiming to scale their impact. Organizations like the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which is still open for business by the way, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) provide funding solutions tailored to ambitious projects in emerging markets. In the UK, British International Investment (BII) and in the Netherlands, FMO, also offer interesting, creative approaches for funding that can support corporate solutions to climate change, regenerative agriculture or water access. DFIs are particularly useful for initiatives requiring substantial capital, such as renewable energy infrastructure or large-scale agricultural development. With funding options like debt, equity, and blended finance, DFIs can help de-risk investments while aligning them with long-term ESG goals. So for example, if your company is expanding solar energy projects in Southeast Asia, DFIs can provide financing while offering valuable guidance on navigating local regulations and market conditions. Their involvement also signals credibility, which can attract additional investors. However, partnering with DFIs requires preparation. Their processes are rigorous, and project scalability, financial viability, and alignment with their priorities are essential for securing support. If you’re ready to think big and make a lasting impact, DFIs are a crucial ally in your sustainability journey.

Over the years, I’ve learned something critical: development is not just about responding to crises—it’s about being there before disaster strikes and staying long after the world has moved on. At UNDP, core funding is what makes this possible. It is the difference between short-term interventions and lasting change. For example: 🌀 When two devastating cyclones hit Mozambique in 2019, we didn’t just step in with emergency aid. Thanks to core funding, we were already there—embedded in communities, working alongside governments. And when the storms passed, we didn’t leave. We mobilized $50 million to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and ensure communities came back stronger than before. 💡 In Egypt, core funding helped prove that energy-efficient lighting wasn’t just good for the environment—it was good business. A small-scale initiative, initially supported by core resources, showed how efficiency measures could cut costs and carbon emissions. The result? Over $1 billion in private sector investment, a national energy efficiency program, and 300 million LED lamps installed—reducing Egypt’s electricity consumption by at least 10%. 🌍 This is what core funding enables. It’s about investing in expertise, partnerships, and the long-term persistence that turns bold ideas into real impact. Without it, we risk losing momentum. And in today’s world, where crises are escalating, inequalities are widening, and climate change is intensifying, we cannot afford to step back. We need more commitment to flexible, predictable core funding. Because real change isn’t built in project cycles. It’s built over time, with vision, innovation, and unwavering dedication. 📖 Read my latest blog on why core funding matters now more than ever: https://go.undp.org/3dk UNDP Africa | PNUD Moçambique | UNDP Ukraine | UNDP in Asia and the Pacific | PNUD en América Latina y el Caribe | UNDP in the Arab States region | UNDP Egypt | UNDP Nigeria | UNDP Ghana | UNDP Malawi | UNDP Pakistan | PNUD Costa Rica | UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | UNDP Trinidad and Tobago Multi Country Office | UNDP in Europe and Central Asia | UNDP Accelerator Labs | Achim Steiner #SustainableDevelopment #SDGs #PartnersAtCore