Green climate fund champion calls for urban climate finance revolution
Date: 2025-04-18
The Co-Chair of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Africa Adaptation Initiative Coordinator, Ambassador Seyni Nafo has issued an urgent call to redirect climate financing toward cities during his keynote at the World Local Government Climate Summit. His address highlighted the stark paradox of urban centers driving 75% of global economic output while receiving just 10% of climate funds, despite generating 70% of emissions.
The GCF’s $13
billion urban portfolio spans 47 projects across four priority areas: energy
system decarbonization, building efficiency upgrades, resilient urban planning,
and circular economy development. These initiatives have mobilized an
additional $16 billion in co-financing, demonstrating scalable models for
climate-compatible city growth.
Ambassador Nafo
detailed region-specific strategies, emphasizing foundational urban planning
support for African cities versus industrial transformation programs in Eastern
Europe. Success stories included Latin America’s 10-nation sustainable mobility
program and Rwanda’s community-led settlement upgrades benefiting 35,000
households.
With urban
populations projected to swell, the GCF leader framed cities as indispensable
allies in achieving global climate targets, urging faster capital flows to
municipal climate action.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
