CIF Events | Climate Investment Funds

The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) will be participating in this year’s, 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). CIF is one of the world's largest and most ambitious multilateral climate finance mechanisms for developing countries seeking to shift to low carbon and climate resilient development, and to accelerate climate action. Mafalda Duarte, CEO of CIF, will be attending the conference and participating in numerous events.

The Paris Agreement - a binding international treaty focused on combating climate change and adapting to its effects - is evaluated every five years. COP26 is the first time the agreement will be assessed and countries will have to show proof of their national targets. Due to the increasingly severe effects of the climate crisis, determining how to limit global warming to 1.5°C holds significant importance.

Climate finance is one of the main topics on the COP26 agenda, and CIF, with over 10 years of experience, is excited to share its knowledge and the value of concessional climate financing – a highly competitive financing that reduces risk for investors, lowers barriers to piloting innovative technologies, scales up proven solutions, opens up sustainable markets, and mobilizes private sector capital for climate action.

Key Events

Nov 1 3:45pm GMT
Resilience Hub Locally Led Adaptation: A global tour of local government authorities implementing an inclusive locally led adaptation

Local government authorities are a key local stakeholder in climate adaptation. While there is growing recognition of their important role, there remain doubts over how climate adaptation finance can be effectively channelized to local governments, how local government capacity and agency can be supported This event will explore local government authorities’ experience in leading adaptation initiatives. Register

Nov 2 12:00 – 13:30pm GMT, Virtual
Observer Stories: Anecdotes & Lessons in Stakeholder Engagement from Observers of Climate Funds

Through observer stories, this study brings forth important recommendations to strengthen the role of observers in the governance of climate funds, highlighting both positive experiences in stakeholder engagement as well as barriers and criticism regarding the stakeholder engagement at climate funds, which offer room for improvement. Observers will explore solutions in response to the barriers. Join us

Nov 2 6:15 – 7:00pm GMT
Reimagining Climate Finance for More Inclusive Investment

While making up just 5% of the world's population, IPLCs steward 80% of biodiversity on Earth. Research shows that when the rights of IPLCs are recognized and their leadership respected, deforestation and biodiversity loss rates fall, and ecosystem services improve. Despite significant increases in climate finance over the past few years, resources dedicated to natural climate solutions, and specifically to initiatives governed and implemented by Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities, remain low. A Rainforest Foundation Norway review of donor investment found that over the last ten years, less than 1% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for climate change was granted to IPLCs. Similarly, IPLCs are not sufficiently represented in decision-making processes on international conservation efforts despite being the most critical stakeholders. For far too long, their voices have been silenced, threatening their communities, the biodiversity that they safeguard, and the future of the planet, itself. During this event, a diverse group of panelists will share their views on opportunities, approaches, and viable solutions to reimagine climate finance to ensure more inclusive investment to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement during a pandemic and climate crisis. Live Stream

Nov 3 10:30 am to 11:15am GMT, UK Pavilion
Mobilizing Climate Finance

This event will cover the state of the market for climate finance mobilisation, both public and private, investor demand and efforts both the UK government and the private sector are making to bridge the climate financing gap. Speakers will highlight key UK initiatives and announcements to intermediate new and scalable capital between investors and climate transition needs in emerging markets and developing countries. Live Stream

Nov 3 2:00 pm
Unlocking Innovative Finance & Mobilization for a Sustainable and Inclusive Recovery: the Role of the Private Sector

Nov 3 3:15pm to 4:00pm GMT, US Centre
CIF Capital Market Mechanism

Hosted by the US treasury, a high profile panel including: John Morton, Counselor to the Secretary at U.S. Department of the Treasury; John Murton, UK COP26 Envoy; Takaya Kishi, Deputy Vice Minister for International Affairs; Mafalda Duarte, Head of the Climate Investment Funds. During the event, panelists will discuss the CIF Capital Market Mechanism announced earlier this morning and the role it will play in delivering for climate. Live Stream

Nov 3 6:15 pm to 7:00pm GMT, Nordic Pavilion
The Alliance for Hydromet Development High Level Event

The UN Secretary-General has called for the creation of bold and innovative financial instruments to respond to climate change. Moreover, he has urged UN member states, international financial institutions, development partners and the private sector to achieve this by bringing new solutions through the COP process. The Systematic Observations Finance Facility (SOFF) is a major response to the SG’s call. As the impacts of climate change are intensifying, it is crucial that we accelerate our understanding of the climate. SOFF will fill the gaps in basic weather and climate data which undermine the development of effective strategies to foster resilient development across the globe. By leading to better weather forecasts, early warning systems and climate information services, SOFF will save lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable people on our planet. Without it, international efforts to build climate resilience across the globe are likely to remain hamstrung. The SOFF will be announced and legally established on 3 November in Glasgow at an event hosted by the WMO, UNDP and UNEP, and attended by international partners, representatives of the beneficiary countries and of contributing partners at the highest political levels

Nov 3 6:15 pm to 7:15pm GMT, Health Pavilion
COVID-19 and Climate-Smart Health Care

This event will present a new report that the World Bank has produced, looking at the links between COVID-19, climate change, and human health. Building on the World Bank’s climate-smart health care approach and integrating the World Bank’s Multiphase Programmatic Approach into the global COVID-19 response, the report puts forth a series of areas to be addressed, with corresponding interventions to investments targeted at the pandemic. Live Stream

Nov 4 11:30am to 1:00pm GMT, The Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Main Conference Hall, Cairngorm Room
Presidential Event

Government and Multilateral representatives and partners from the Energy Transition Council will discuss the steps they are taking to move away from coal, towards affordable and accessible clean power. This Presidency event is convened by the Energy Transition Council – a COP26 initiative that aims to connect countries with the best political, technical and financial expertise in the global community to accelerate the transition to clean, affordable energy. The event will feature two panel sessions where senior figures from governments and international organisations will announce and discuss new measures to scale up clean power more quickly, shift away from coal and ensure access to affordable, sustainable energy for all. It will highlight previous and ongoing successful programmes in member countries, and serve as a platform to showcase new initiatives, ranging from the Climate Investment Funds to the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. Live Stream

Nov 4 3:00pm to 4:15pm GMT, UK Pavilion
Showcasing the Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) New Clean Energy Transition Program (ACT and REI)

Coal phaseout and the clean energy transition are key for achieving the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. The event will look to highlight the ‘grand challenge’ at hand, and the solution we have in both ACT and REI. Some of the key points raised is the need for intervention, some of the barriers faced, the demand for these programs and the impact sought. This event will not only provide greater detail on these two new energy program, but also set a vision for the future, explore how these program contribute to the 1.5°C temperature goal, how they complement each other and touch on key questions and topics including the Just Transition and Gender. Live Stream

Nov 4 3:30pm to 5:00pm GMT, COP26 Venue Blue Zone
Energy Day Presidency Event: Powering the World Past Coal

This event will showcase action taken by Powering Past Coal Alliance members to accelerate the global phase-out of emissions from coal power, and will explore priority actions to put us on a pathway to net-zero. Discussion between leading global figures will include progress on ending public and private coal finance and the important role of non-state actors in driving the transition from coal to clean energy. Learn more

Nov 5 9:30am to 10:15am GMT, SDG7 Pavilion in the Blue Zone
UK SEforAll - ETC

Register for the event via SE4ALL Platform

Nov 5 11:00am to 12:30pm GMT, African Pavilion - Blue Zone
GCA Award Ceremony - Youth Adapt Solutions Challenge

The YouthADAPT Challenge is an annual competition and awards program jointly organized by GCA and the African Development Bank (AfDB). It aims to strengthen inclusive growth and broaden investment and economic opportunities for youth in Africa. CIF is delighted to be a part of this initiative with a strong focus on youth and gender, winners of the YouthAdapt Challenge will be awarded business grants of up to $100,000 each and the opportunity to participate in a 12-month business accelerator program to help them scale up their businesses, deepen their impact and create decent jobs. In addition, the winning youth-led enterprises will be provided with mentorship and support to expand partnerships, knowledge sharing and learning through a network of young entrepreneurs in climate adaptation. The first edition of the awards was launched on 06 September 2021. Winners of the inaugural YouthADAPT Challenge will be announced at COP26, during a dedicated Award Ceremony for Challenge.

Nov 5 1:00pm GMT, Virtual
Youth, Climate Funds, and MDBs: Forging Meaningful Partnerships Towards More Inclusive Climate Action

This event will engage youth leaders around the world to showcase their work, and how MDBs and Climate funds can support and collaborate better with these efforts. Through consultations with youth organizations and youth climate leaders, the CIF has developed a consultation note called “Towards a Youth Engagement Strategy (YES)”, which outlines recommendations and opportunities for CIF’s youth engagement. Register

Nov 5 5:00pm to 6:30pm GMT, Africa Pavilion, Blue Zone
Green Banks and National Climate Change Funds: catalytic vehicles for climate action in Africa

Green Banks (GB) or Green Financial Facilities (GFF) and National Climate Change Funds (NCCF) are institutions that support a pipeline of bankable green projects through grants and project preparation services. These innovative structures have a vital role to play in mobilizing finance for national carbon reduction targets and climate resilient green development. Around the world, an increasing number of countries and states are developing GB/GFF’s to mobilize funds through a “blended finance model” to leverage and increase private sector climate-related investments. Live Stream

Nov 6 1:30pm to 2:45pm GMT, MDB Pavilion
Nature-based Solutions: Diverse Perspectives on the Role of Nature and People in Climate Action

Through a facilitated High-Level Panel, invitees will highlight country level lessons and experiences, leveraging efforts and pitch nature-based solutions as pivotal to cost effective and inclusive climate action. The session will draw on diverse institutional perspectives, including those of recipient governments, donors, multilateral development banks, bilateral organizations, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations and communities. Live Stream

Nov 8 09:00-10:15 am PHST time/ 1 am GMT, Virtual
Investing in climate-resilient biodiversity landscapes and communities in Southeast Asia

The deterioration of natural resources and biodiversity in Southeast Asia has reduced resilience of economies to climate risks and have increased the vulnerability of rural communities who depend on them for livelihoods. Fragmentation and degradation of biodiversity habitats and landscapes increase such risks, and exposure to climate shocks further strains the adaptive capacity of ecosystems and communities. A landscape approach, which manages land and natural resources in an integrated manner for multiple uses and benefits, provides the basis for enhancing people’s livelihoods, security and resilience to climate variability and climate change. This session explores recent climate resilient landscape interventions; identifies barriers and opportunities for investing in climate resilient landscapes and accessing private sector financing/PPPs; and identifies “triple win” interventions that can (i) increase jobs, income, and biodiversity, (ii) enhance local community resilience, and (iii) store carbon to mitigate climate change. Case studies from the Forest Investment Program, Dedicated Grant Mechanism for Indigenous Peoples and Communities and other initiatives will be used to explore solutions such as ecosystem-based adaptation, disaster risk reduction, restoration, agroecology, and ecological infrastructure, amongst others to draw up lessons for boosting climate resilience of biodiversity landscapes and communities.

Nov 8 1:00pm to 2:30pm GMT, Virtual
Infrastructure for Climate Resilience

This CIF-ADB-World Bank joint event aims to address the question of what it takes to shift the focus of infrastructure investment with resilience as the primary goal. This is to be achieved through unpacking some of the key elements for scaling up investment in infrastructure designed to build climate resilience: policy and planning processes, finance, and knowledge support. Register

Nov 9 8:15am to 9:30am GMT, Virtual
Sustainable Innovation Forum - Just Transition Panel

Nov 9 11:00-12:30 am GMT
Gender and Climate Change Adaptation on the Africa Continent: ramp-up and innovations

CIF will participate in the African Development Bank (AfDB), The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) joint side-event for advancing gender equality among climate change adaptation actions on the African continent. The session will gather stakeholders highly specialized in the gender and adaptation nexus at the technical and political levels for strengthening more inclusive and greener activities in Africa. Live Stream

Nov 9 11:00am to 11:30am GMT, UNFCCC Action Hub
Highlight of Clean Construction Actions

Nov 9 1:15pm to 2:45pm GMT, GEF, GCF Pavilion
How can climate finance work better for the small island developing States (SIDS) and the least developed countries (LDCs)

In this event, CIF will share lessons from its evaluations on programmatic approach and transformational change as relevant to SIDS and LDCs. The GCF-IEU will share some of its learnings from the two evaluations looking specifically at the SIDS and LDCs’ experience of accessing the GCF resources for their climate priorities. Some partner organizations of the GCF-IEU will also share their own learnings based on their experience of having worked with/supported some of the SIDS and/or LDCs themselves, and/or comment on the usefulness of the GCF-IEU’s evaluation findings.

Nov 9 4:30 pm to 6:00pm GMT,Commonwealth Pavilion
Roadmap to Rapidly Scaling Solar Investment: The key to climate change mitigation, energy access, and energy security

This event will consist of a series of interactive discussions with public and private sector solar and finance experts, focusing on how solar investment can be scaled to mitigate climate change and advance universal energy access and energy security. Live Stream

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