Green Climate Fund (GCF)

The Fund offers developing countries funding in the form of grants, loans, guarantees and equity for mitigation and adaptation programmes. The GCF also partners with the private sector to mobilise further capital for ambitious climate projects.

So far, some 50 countries have pledged a total of 29.9 billion US dollars in support of the Fund. Up to now, the Fund has financed more than 350 projects, with a total volume of over 20 billion US dollars (80 billion including co-financing) – going in roughly equal measure to mitigation and adaptation activities.

These efforts are creating enormous impact. Over their lifetime, the GCF's projects are expected to avoid 3.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent – about one and a half times the total emissions of the EU's 27 member states in 2024 – and to make about 1.6 billion people worldwide more resilient to climate risks. To date, GCF projects have saved 150 million tonnes of carbon emissions – roughly equivalent to the emissions of the Netherlands in 2023 – and directly or indirectly benefited 340 million people.

Support for vulnerable countries

The GCF's current Strategic Plan (2024-2027) focuses on giving national delivery partners from the Global South improved access to support. The GCF funds low-emission, climate-resilient sectors, provides assistance to particularly vulnerable countries as they address their adaptation and resilience needs, and fosters private sector involvement by greening financial systems.

The Fund also uses new financing instruments such as debt-for-climate swaps and local currency lending. Such lending can mitigate exchange rate risks for countries with less developed capital markets and improve the sustainability of climate action.

Germany’s contribution

Germany has been among the biggest donors to the GCF, having pledged a total of 4.25 billion euros so far. For the Fund's initial capitalisation, Germany made a contribution of 750 million euros. In the first replenishment round, it doubled this amount, providing 1.5 billion euros. It further increased its contribution in the second replenishment, pledging two billion euros.

Germany's contribution to the GCF comes entirely from the BMZ's budget. Germany also sent a political signal at the diplomatic level by hosting the Fund's international replenishment conference in Bonn on 5 October 2023, chaired by then Development Minister Svenja Schulze. That conference generated a record total pledge of 10.6 billion US dollars from 33 countries for the years 2024 to 2027, and it raised public awareness of climate finance in Germany.

The third replenishment round of the Fund was launched in July 2026. It will secure funding for the period from 2028 to 2031. Germany is working for a strong and effective GCF.