Green Climate Fund and UNEP: Empowering grassroots climate action

Green Climate Fund and UNEP: Empowering grassroots climate action | Photo: Matteo Fusco

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are spearheading transformative climate adaptation projects, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

On 2 July 2025, the GCF approved over $120 million for initiatives in Ghana, the Maldives, and Mauritania, designed with grassroots input to address pressing climate challenges. These projects underscore the urgent need for localized, science-based solutions to combat rising sea levels, droughts, and food insecurity. By prioritizing vulnerable communities, they tackle global climate issues while fostering resilience, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem restoration, setting a precedent for global collaboration in achieving sustainability goals.

The urgency of climate adaptation

Climate change poses an existential threat, disproportionately affecting vulnerable regions like Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Sahel. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events undermine food security, water access, and livelihoods. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures are on track to rise by 1.5°C by 2030 without urgent action, exacerbating risks for millions.

The GCF and UNEP’s $120 million investment targets these challenges through nature-based solutions, climate-resilient agriculture, and early warning systems, directly benefiting over 3.5 million people across three nations. These efforts align with SDG 13, emphasizing adaptive measures to mitigate climate impacts, and SDG 2, promoting sustainable food systems to eradicate hunger.

In Ghana, northern regions face chronic food shortages due to erratic rainfall and prolonged dry seasons. The Maldives, with 80% of its islands less than one metre above sea level, grapples with rising seas and storm surges. Mauritania, in the fragile Sahel, contends with desertification and water scarcity, importing 85% of its food. These projects address these issues by empowering local communities to design solutions tailored to their unique environmental and socio-economic challenges, ensuring both immediate impact and long-term sustainability.

Grassroots-driven projects in action

The GCF-UNEP initiatives exemplify how community-led design can drive effective climate adaptation. In Ghana, a $70 million project, including a $63 million GCF grant, supports 120 communities across eight districts in the North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions.

By improving access to climate data, enabling dry-season farming through water storage, and restoring 28,000 hectares of degraded land, the project benefits 619,000 people directly and reaches 2.9 million with early warning alerts. Approximately 120,000 individuals will gain improved food security through climate-resilient farming practices, aligning with SDG 2.

In the Maldives, the $25 million TRACT project strengthens climate services and multi-hazard early warning systems, aligning with the global Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, which aims to protect every person by 2027. Expected to benefit over 500,000 people, the project addresses the nation’s vulnerability to rising seas, floods, and heatwaves, which threaten agriculture, fisheries, and tourism—key economic sectors. Local communities shaped the project to prioritize scalable early warning systems, ensuring alignment with SDG 13.

Mauritania’s $33 million project, including a $30 million GCF grant, targets four vulnerable hubs: Aoujeft, Rachid, Tamcheket, and Nema. By deploying green-grey infrastructure to combat sand encroachment, improving water access for farming, and scaling up climate-resilient agriculture, it directly supports 85,000 people and enhances resilience for 145,000 more. The initiative also contributes to the Great Green Wall, a pan-African effort to combat desertification, aligning with SDG 15.

Past successes and future potential

Historically, UNEP has supported nearly 90 climate adaptation projects across 50 countries, benefiting 3.5 million people and restoring 241,000 hectares of land. For instance, the EbA South project in Mauritania, Nepal, and Seychelles enhanced capacity and technology for climate resilience, demonstrating the efficacy of ecosystem-based approaches.

Looking ahead, the GCF’s focus on nature-based solutions and community-led models offers a blueprint for scaling up. By 2030, the GCF aims to expand its portfolio to $50 billion, prioritizing vulnerable regions. The success of these projects could inspire similar initiatives in other climate-vulnerable areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa or Pacific Island nations, where scalable early warning systems and resilient agriculture are critical.

The capacity of global society

The success of these initiatives hinges on global collaboration. The GCF, established under the UNFCCC in 2010, channels funds to developing nations, prioritizing Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and SIDS. UNEP’s role as a global environmental leader ensures projects are science-based and locally relevant.

Governments, local communities, and international partners like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collaborate to integrate indigenous knowledge and cutting-edge technology, such as AI-driven climate risk data, into adaptation strategies. This synergy exemplifies how global society—from grassroots activists to policymakers, can unite to address climate challenges, fostering resilience and sustainable development worldwide.

A call for continued action

The GCF and UNEP’s $120 million investment in Ghana, the Maldives, and Mauritania highlights the power of grassroots-driven climate adaptation. By addressing local needs through nature-based solutions, climate-resilient agriculture, and early warning systems, these projects advance SDG 13, SDG 15, and SDG 2, building a foundation for sustainable development. As climate risks intensify, global collaboration and community-led innovation remain critical. Continued efforts to scale these models can transform vulnerable regions, ensuring a resilient future for millions.