Climate finance for poor countries remains far short
New UN documents and an analysis show that promised support remains insufficient and difficult to access.
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Rich countries are still providing far less money for climate adaptation in developing countries than is needed. This is shown by new UN documents issued ahead of the COP31 climate summit, which begins next week in Antalya.
The UN says reporting on financial support for national adaptation plans remains limited. Many existing sources of finance do not make clear what share is specifically directed towards such plans. This limited reporting makes it difficult to assess the extent to which available funds are reaching the most vulnerable countries.
UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report estimated international public adaptation finance for developing countries at $26 billion in 2023. Annual needs in 2035 are estimated at $310 billion based on modelling, or $365 billion if national plans are extrapolated.
Show the figures
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Public 2023 | 26mld dollar |
| 2035 needs, low | 310mld dollar |
| 2035 needs, high | 365mld dollar |
This puts the need at twelve to fourteen times the level of public funding measured at the time. UNEP had already warned that the target of doubling international adaptation finance to $40 billion by 2025 was unlikely to be met. This concerns adaptation to the effects of climate change, such as water shortages, heat, flooding and damage to agriculture and infrastructure.
The figures do not mean that there has been no progress at all. According to UNEP, most countries now have a national adaptation policy or plan, and countries have reported more than 1,600 adaptation measures that have been implemented. At the same time, the report warns that a larger share of loans could increase the debt burden of vulnerable countries; more money therefore does not automatically amount to better support.
The issue affects the Netherlands directly through development cooperation, international climate negotiations and the question of who bears the costs of damage arising elsewhere. One question for COP31 is how commitments can be converted into public funds, guarantees and more accessible finance. In these documents, the UN reports limitations in the reporting on finance for national adaptation plans.
Also show where in Europe and in the world
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Measured public adaptation finance is, according to UNEP, far below the estimated need for 2035.
- The UN reports that access to multilateral funds is unequal.
- The UN documents contain no new binding financing agreement.
Left
Arguments Rich countries bear greater historical responsibility and should chiefly provide public, predictable grants rather than loans.
Values Climate justice, international solidarity and the protection of vulnerable communities.
Consequences Too little money increases damage, debt and inequality in countries that have contributed relatively little to global warming.
Centre
Arguments A combination of public funds, multilateral banks, guarantees and better procedures is needed, with oversight of efficiency.
Values Effectiveness, feasibility and shared responsibility.
Consequences A mix can mobilise more capital, but only if access, transparency and debt sustainability are safeguarded.
Right
Arguments Finance should be linked to reforms, good governance and projects demonstrably increasing economic resilience.
Values Responsibility for taxpayers’ money, national autonomy and efficiency.
Consequences Conditions can limit waste, but overly strict requirements could instead delay access for vulnerable countries.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The key figures and the description of the new UN publication can be found in the primary sources cited. The text distinguishes between measured financial flows, model estimates and policy choices.
- confirmed International public adaptation finance amounted to $26 billion in 2023. — UNEP gives this figure in its Adaptation Gap Report. source
- confirmed Needs in 2035 are estimated at $310 billion to $365 billion a year. — UNEP gives both estimates, depending on the calculation method. source
- confirmed The UN reports limited breakdowns of finance for national adaptation plans. — This is stated in document FCCC/SBI/2026/23/Add.1. source
Editor's note
The scale of the need is a model estimate, not actual spending. The new UN publication chiefly highlights inadequate breakdowns and unequal access; there is no new binding agreement on additional money.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „klimaatfinanciering klimaatadaptatie”
- Het Parool — „klimaatfinanciering klimaatadaptatie”
- de Volkskrant — „klimaatfinanciering klimaatadaptatie”