By Abdullahi Lukman
The Adaptation Fund received about $135 million in fresh pledges during the second week of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, strengthening efforts to support climate resilience in vulnerable countries.
Major contributors include Germany ($69.36m), Spain ($23.12m), Sweden ($13.81m), Ireland ($11.56m), Luxembourg ($5.78m), Switzerland ($5.26m), Belgium’s Walloon Region ($3.47m), Portugal ($1.16m), South Korea ($0.82m) and Iceland ($0.67m).
The new contributions bring the Fund closer to its goal of mobilising at least $300 million in 2025, a target set to help triple its outflows by 2030 as global demand for adaptation projects surpasses $1 billion.
Fund leaders expressed hope that additional pledges would be announced before COP30 ends.
Officials praised the Adaptation Fund’s 18-year record of delivering locally driven adaptation projects.
To date, it has committed $1.5 billion to more than 200 initiatives in 108 countries, benefiting over 65 million people, protecting nearly 1 million hectares of habitat and supporting 600 early warning systems.
Much of its portfolio serves Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
Contributor governments highlighted the Fund’s effectiveness, citing its direct-access model, locally led adaptation, and ability to deliver measurable results on the ground.
Germany, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal and Iceland all reaffirmed long-term support, stressing that climate adaptation reduces risks, drives opportunity and shields vulnerable communities.
COP30 and UNFCCC officials underscored the urgency of scaling adaptation finance and called the Fund indispensable to global resilience efforts.
As it transitions fully under the Paris Agreement, the Adaptation Fund is positioning itself at the centre of global adaptation finance, aiming to strengthen partnerships and expand resources for communities most affected by climate impacts.
