Addressing climate change adaptation in fragile settings and conflict-affected countries: Lessons learned from the Adaptation Fund’s portfolio

This weADAPT article is an abridged version of the original text, which can be downloaded from the right-hand column. We highlight some of the report’s key messages below, but please access the original text for more comprehensive detail, full references, or to quote text. 

Introduction

The frequency of violent conflicts worldwide has risen dramatically over the past decade. Conflict is a significant factor in the vulnerability of humans to climate change. Organizations and services necessary for society to deal with the effects of climate change are undermined by conflict and fragile situations, which create weak institutions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2022 Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) on impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability highlights that adaptation efforts can reduce the volatility generated by climate shocks. In addition, adaptation can address compounding risks faced by vulnerable populations in regions likely to experience both climate shocks and enduring conflict. Addressing the adverse impacts of climate change in conflict-affected areas is vital to safeguarding the well-being and resilience of vulnerable communities, while also sup- porting the broader goals of global climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Donors and financing institutions are often hesitant to invest in projects in regions affected by fragility and conflict due to perceived risks related to security, political instability, and uncertain project outcomes. Additionally, the inflexible bureaucracy characteristic of traditional climate finance mechanisms may prove unsuitable for fast and adaptive responses demanded in fragile situations, impeding the effective implementation of projects. Tailoring climate finance interventions to the specific circumstances of each region and promoting coordination, flexibility, and conflict sensitivity can advance climate resilience in conflict-affected and fragile settings.

The Adaptation Fund, established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), assists developing nations in adapting to the challenges posed by climate change and variability. The Fund finances projects and programmes that help vulnerable communities in developing countries adapt to climate change by supporting initiatives based on country needs, views, and priorities.

This study presents an overview of the Fund’s experience and lessons learned from addressing climate change adaptation and strengthening long-term resilience to climate change in fragile and conflict-afflicted countries. In addition, it documents case studies from the Fund’s portfolio to advance understanding among the wider adaptation community.

Methodology

The study focused on assessment of adaptation projects financed by the Fund in some fragile and conflict-affected countries. 

The methodology included an extensive desk literature review and synthesis of Fund policies and guidelines related to the study, and a review of the selected project documents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with project leaders to understand the project approaches, their effectiveness and lessons learned.

Key results

The results section presents case studies from Ethiopia, Syria, Mali, and the Volta Basin Authority countries, discussing the unique vulnerabilities and challenges in each context. The study finds that while the AF’s projects have contributed to enhancing resilience, they have also encountered significant challenges due to conflict and fragility.

In Syria, for example, insecurity and shortages of skilled workers pose significant risks to success. Ethiopia faces challenges related to instability and unpredictable weather patterns, while Mali contends with droughts, floods, and the threat of violent extremism and terrorism. The Volta Basin Authority countries in Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, the Republic of Benin, and Togo) encounter obstacles due to political instability and weak rural infrastructure. Moreover, continuous government restructuring disrupts and delays Fund projects in some countries.

To view the analysis for each individual country, please download the report from the right-hand side.

Lessons Learned

Climate financing in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCAS) poses unique challenges and requires careful consideration. Some lessons learned from Fund-financed projects in these countries are noted below.

Weakening of institutions: limited institutional capacity, lack of awareness of available funding, insufficient monitoring and evaluation, and inadequate governance structures all constituted obstacles to project implementation and access to funds.​

Poor local capacity: Project success was significantly affected by lack of technical expertise and capacity to develop and implement climate adaptation initiatives. ​

Local ownership: Ensuring local ownership of climate finance projects is essential for sustainability and success. However, it showed to be difficult to achieve in conflict and fragile settings. ​

Risk management: Climate financing in fragile setting is often associated with higher risks due to political instability, security concerns, and weak institutions. ​

Flexibility and adaptability: Climate financing projects in fragile countries must be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances on the ground.​

Building Partnerships: Building strong partnerships between governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector is essential for adequate climate financing in fragile settings

Recommendations and conclusions

The common features in all the projects/ countries sampled included: weak governance and institutional capacities, especially of the National Project Offices occasioned by the threat posed by insecurity and the displacement of people. Therefore, when implementing climate-financed projects in conflict-affected states, it is essential to approach risk differently due to the unique challenges in FCAS. This is particularly important because fragile countries could barely meet the traditional requirements such as controlling fiduciary and programmatic risks imposed upon multilateral financial institutions, climate funds, and bilateral assistance agencies. Therefore, making decisions about climate adaptation funding under “business as usual” depends on low financial and corporate risks.

Key recommendations include (for more details for each recommendations, please view the original report):

• Adopt a specific policy on fragile and conflict countries
• Adopt a context-specific approach
• Promote quick, proactive, and early detection of likely environmental problems that could induce crisis and conflicts
• Incorporate specific adaptive management in project activities
• Invest more on Hydromets
• Factor interrelationships into project design
• Explore possibility of co-financing with the private sector
• Enhance support to NGOs and CBOs in project design and management in fragile states
• Integrate conflict sensitivity criteria into the project review sheet

Suggested citation

Adaptation Fund (2024). Addressing climate change adaptation in fragile settings and conflict-affected countries: Lessons learned from the Adaptation Fund’s portfolio.