Call summary :

Climate Adaptation

Investing in climate adaptation is critical to building global resilience to worsening climate impacts, but it is far from what is needed. In 2019-2020, of the total USD 653 billion annually tracked to climate finance, just USD 49 billion – less than 10% – was committed to climate adaptation. Creating opportunities in developing countries to attract public and private investment in adaptation is urgent.

The Lab is seeking proposals for innovative financial instruments and solutions that channel investment into building climate resilience and responding to growing climate risk, including at a systemic level. There is a critical need to develop and scale a broad array of financial solutions – including debt and equity facilities, results-based instruments, project finance, and insurance mechanisms – that enable capital to flow to adaptation.

Submissions should focus on climate-stressed regions in developing countries and identify how the proposed financing approach would address specific physical climate risks and overcome barriers to mobilizing finance for climate adaptation. Submissions should also include a plan to phase down public financial support while offering attractive risk-adjusted returns to investors to scale private investment. Lastly, ideas should demonstrate the potential to avoid maladaptation, support improved livelihoods, and strengthen the broader financial ecosystem in the implementation countries.

The U.S. Department of State supports the Lab’s adaptation window.

East and Southern Africa

The Lab’s East and Southern Africa program seeks innovative finance instruments to address the unique challenges of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) regions. These regions are among the most vulnerable to climate change due to their exposure to climate change stresses and low adaptive capacity.

National budgets cannot cover the entire cost of the necessary investments, so international public and private financing and capacity-building support are essential for these countries to meet their climate targets.

Latin America and the Caribbean - Adaptation

As the most biodiverse region globally, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is highly vulnerable to the increasing impacts of climate change, which threatens the livelihoods of millions. The region needs strong financial mechanisms to effectively address growing climate risks and support sustainable and climate-resilient development. However, financial flows remain insufficient due to misaligned financing options, a lack of capacity among local financial institutions, and a cautious investment climate.

In response, the Lab LAC regional program seeks one innovative idea focusing on climate adaptation. The submissions should aim to channel investment into projects that build climate resilience, particularly in smaller and more vulnerable markets. The ideas should address specific physical climate risks and outline strategies to mobilize finance for adaptation while avoiding maladaptation. We are particularly interested in solutions that can improve livelihoods, strengthen financial ecosystems, and ensure long-term resilience in LAC countries.

The U.S. Department of State supports the Lab’s LAC program adaptation window.


The Philippines

Located in the Tropical Cyclone belt, the Philippines is extremely vulnerable to climate-related hazards, including around 20 tropical cyclones yearly. The country is also one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with approximately 20,000 species not found elsewhere. The Philippines faces additional challenges, such as a 16.7% poverty rate, aging infrastructure, and intermittent insecurities in the food, agriculture, and health sectors.

Despite these challenges, the Philippines remains committed to achieving zero poverty by 2040 and sustainable and inclusive economic growth. However, loss and damage from extreme weather events are increasing at an unacceptable rate, reaching 4% of GDP in 2013 due to Super Typhoon Haiyan.

Nevertheless, the Philippines has set ambitious climate targets, committing to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. However, achieving them requires significant investment to adapt to the impacts of climate change and transition to a clean energy economy.

In line with Philippine climate goals, nature-based solutions (NBS) offer significant opportunities to increase resilience to climate impacts and address biodiversity loss while supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. NBS encompasses green-grey and natural infrastructure with specific NBS project opportunities in the country....