On 19 August, the board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved US$38 million in funding over 10 years to support CEPF-administered, locally led projects promoting ecosystem-based adaptation as a response to climate change. The projects will take place in the Indian Ocean island nations of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles. The funds will flow to CEPF via l’Agence Française de Développement. 

The goal is to reduce the vulnerability of island populations by securing the critical ecosystem services they need to be resilient in the face of climate change. CEPF will use tried-and-tested tools and methodologies it has developed over the last 20 years for strengthening and engaging civil society organizations—nongovernmental organizations, community and indigenous people’s groups, universities and private enterprises—in ecosystem conservation. CEPF’s current model, which prioritizes biodiversity conservation, will be modified to direct investments to geographic and thematic areas of highest priority for ecosystem-based adaptation.

CEPF focuses on conserving the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The nations that will benefit from the GCF funding are all part of the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot, where CEPF is in the midst of a US$9.54 million conservation investment.

“This hotspot is on the frontlines of climate change—local people are seeing changes to their ecosystems and biodiversity in real time,” said Olivier Langrand, CEPF’s executive director. “This funding is coming at a crucial moment, and we are thrilled to work with current and future partners to protect these magnificent islands for the benefit of the people who call them home.”

The funding proposal was submitted by GCF accredited entity l’Agence Française de Développement, one of CEPF’s global donors. Conservation International, a founding CEPF global donor which also administers CEPF, represented CEPF as the executing entity for the proposal. 
 
As with all CEPF projects, the GCF-supported activities will be implemented through grants to civil society organizations active in conservation and climate change response in the region. The grants will help these organizations build their capacity, develop partnerships with the private and public sectors, achieve long-term sustainability and promote replication of best practices in ecosystem-based adaptation. These activities will be guided by strategic plans that are well aligned with national climate change strategies.