Strengthening resilience, securing water resources, promoting ecosystem-based solutions

One focus of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) in 2024 was to support countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Aerial view of a small, narrow boat with two people moving through dark water, leaving a gentle wake behind. The boat carries fresh green cargo, possibly plants or goods. In the water, long wooden barriers form a zigzag pattern—likely traditional fish traps. The image has a dramatic black-and-white aesthetic, with only the boat and its green cargo in color.
© Ho Ngoc Anh Tuan - Inst. of Resources and Environment (IREN) of Hue University

In view of issues such as frequent extreme weather events, adaptation to climate change is becoming increasingly important. The IKI supports particularly vulnerable countries and regions in the funding area “Adaptation to the impacts of climate change”.

Ecosystem-based adaptation

One focus is on ecosystem-based adaptation measures (EbA). In 2024, the Global EbA Fund supported by the IKI launched its seventh funding call. The search was for infrastructure projects that promote natural and structural adaptation measures (green-grey infrastructure). By means of the project to support the Global EbA Fund, the IKI also promotes the “Friends of EbA” (FEBA) implementation network that it established. The total volume of the project amounts to 40 million euros and is due to run until mid-2028.

FEBA 2024 Members Meeting

7. Call des Global EbA Funds

A group of women sits outdoors on the shore, processing large piles of harvested seaweed. One woman wearing a red cap lifts seaweed into the air, while others sit on low stools or the ground, sorting through the material. In the background, a blue boat, the sea, and a mountainous landscape are visible. The women wear simple, comfortable clothing, some with hats or headscarves for sun protection.
© EDF Philippines
The local community in Cabalian Bay, Philippines, is planting seagrass to improve the local ecosystem. At the same time, the seagrass provides a new home for mussels, which represent a new source of income for the people. The roots of the seagrass plants also stabilise the soil in the bay.

The IKI also supports the EbA Facility, which provides funds for projects in small island developing states (SIDS) in the Caribbean. So far, 34 projects in eleven countries have been funded. A fifth funding call at the end of 2024 will add a further six to ten projects. A total of 55 million euros will be available by 2030.

Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Facility’s Fifth Call for Proposals

In addition, Germany deposited a further 60 million euros in the Adaptation Fund via the IKI. The Adaptation Fund supports the countries most at risk from the climate crisis in adapting to the impacts of global warming and preventing future climate damage through proactive action. As the largest donor, Germany is thus making a significant contribution to financing adaptation to climate change and thus also to global resilience and stability.

Securing water resources

An important approach to mitigating the impacts of climate change is the prediction of extreme weather events. An IKI lighthouse project in this field ended in 2024. Among other things, it has enabled long-term and precise monsoon forecasts in India and accurate rainfall measurements in the Peruvian highlands – with positive effects on agriculture in both regions.

Water will remain a key topic for the IKI in the future. In 2024, a project was launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support evidence-based decisions along the water-energy-ecosystem nexus. In Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, a comprehensive proposal for the project implementation phase was developed during the preparation phase of a project on climate-resilient water supply. A project that promotes the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) in global water processes and, among other things, presses ahead with the implementation of the UN system-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation (UN SWS) also started in 2024. In Peru, a project on multi-sectoral water resource planning launched in 2023 was implemented. The total funding amount for these projects is up to 44.9 million euros.

In 2024, the IKI also initiated two calls for further water adaptation projects. The 2024 thematic call focussed on “Increased climate resilience through the protection of vulnerable water catchment areas in South America”. In the Brazil country call, a project for adapting to negative climate impacts through integrative, water-sensitive urban development was commissioned to prepare a detailed project proposal.

Resilience and security

In the newly prioritised field of action “Strengthening resilience and security”, the IKI made its first contribution of three million euros to the Climate Action Account of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in 2024. CERF is the most important financing instrument for humanitarian aid worldwide. By means of the Climate Action Account, CERF supports vulnerable communities that have contributed least to climate change but are most affected. It also contributes to global efforts to mitigate and cope with climate-related emergency situations.

The IKI will continue to expand its work in this area of action in the future and was searching for project ideas for the thematic focus “Strengthening climate resilience for conflict prevention and peacekeeping” in the 2024 thematic call.

59,000,000 €

funding

was committed by the IKI in 2024 for projects that work on the adapation to the impacts of climate change. 

Project overview 2024

IKI Annual Report 2024

This article is part of the IKI Annual Report 2024.

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