Africa objects to US chairing UN local weather fund, citing unpaid $2bn

African governments sought to dam the US from co-chairing the Inexperienced Local weather Fund (GCF) board, citing its failure to ship money.

Developed nations nominated the US Treasury’s Victoria Gunderson to collectively lead the UN flagship local weather fund’s deliberations in 2023. These appointments are sometimes accredited with out dialogue.

On behalf of African board members, Kenyan setting official Pacifica Ogola raised an official objection. The US has contributed simply $1 billion to the fund in its 12-year historical past, in comparison with $9bn from EU nations and $3bn from Japan. An additional $2bn pledged below former president Barack Obama was by no means delivered. His successors Donald Trump and Joe Biden haven’t paid in a cent.

Ogola careworn, in a letter dated 16 January, wealthy nations’ duty to inject cash into the GCF and known as for higher enforcement of commitments. Approving Gunderson’s function should not “normalise the situation” of non-payers holding sway over selections, she argued.

The outgoing co-chairs persuaded African members to not veto the appointment, on the reassurance that the board would talk about their broader issues.

In March 2022, GCF government director Yannick Glemarec warned that with out extra sources, the fund must tightly ration assist for carbon-cutting initiatives within the growing world. “Some turn-off will be unavoidable,” he stated. “It’s one of my fears.”

US outreach

One week after African members raised the objection, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen visited a mission in Zambia serving to farmers adapt to the local weather disaster.

“The project we are visiting today helps small-scale farmers…It’s funded by the Green Climate Fund, which the United States is proud to be a part of.”

Learn US Treasury @SecYellen‘s remarks throughout her go to to the GCF-@UNDPZambia #climateaction mission: https://t.co/YIZF9yT910 pic.twitter.com/Xf2sUwT5vr

— Inexperienced Local weather Fund (@theGCF) January 26, 2023

Yellen informed reporters: “It’s funded by the Green Climate Fund, which the United States is proud to be a part of. We are committed to making sure that the Fund has sufficient resources to carry on this important work.”

The GCF is internet hosting its subsequent common request for donations on the finish of 2023.

In December 2022, Congress didn’t earmark any finance for the GCF within the authorities’s 2023 fiscal yr price range. There may be sufficient flexibility within the spending invoice {that a} contribution continues to be doable – however a Republican majority within the Home of Representatives is anticipated to withstand.

Liane Schalatek speaks for civil society as an observer to the GCF board. “The objection highlights the expectation that is placed on a developed country chairing during replenishment to dig deep with their own contributions,” she stated.

In the course of the GCF’s final request for donations in 2019, the UK as board co-chair made the largest contribution. However “it is doubtful that the US can replicate the UK example”, Schalatek added.