Transformational Adaptation and Country Ownership: Competing priorities in international climate finance

Keywords: Climate change, climate finance, transformational adaptation
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 35

Abstract

International climate finance is an integral part of the global climate policy regime. Because available adaptation finance is significantly below identified needs, competition for scarce resources incentivizes countries to design projects that are driven by the priorities of the funds, rather than local needs. This dynamic raises the important question: what are the implications of the climate funds’ investment criteria on project design, and ultimately adaptation policy? One of the areas where are particularly likely to emerge is regarding transformational change. Transformational adaptation has risen on the international agenda in recognition of the inadequacy of business-as-usual approaches to adaptation, and the growing urgency of climate change, and is often characterized based on: (i) the intensity or quality of the change (depth of change); (ii) the distribution of change (breadth of change); and (iii) the timeframe through which a change occurs (speed of change). This study analyzes how transformational adaptation is articulated in Green Climate Fund proposals. Our analysis finds that transformational adaptation is framed to align with international priorities. We argue that without greater attention to inclusive policies that center the most vulnerable, climate finance risks further becoming a neocolonial development strategy that prioritizes international goals over local needs.