At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has underscored the critical role of climate finance, describing it as “the lifeblood of climate action” and essential for turning climate plans into tangible progress.
Speaking at the high-level dialogue, Stiell emphasized that predictable and accessible funding is vital for developing countries to implement national climate and adaptation strategies effectively.
“That trust remains essential. Without it, implementation slows, ambition falters, and progress for all becomes much, much harder,” he stated.
Since the Paris Agreement, climate cooperation has gained momentum, with billions flowing into clean energy, climate resilience, and just transitions. Yet, Stiell warned that the current level of finance remains insufficient, unreliable, and unevenly distributed, leaving vulnerable nations struggling to access pledged resources.
The UNFCCC chief called on developed countries to double adaptation finance from 2019 levels and urged a tripling of outflows from UNFCCC climate funds by 2030, highlighting the pivotal roles of the Adaptation Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund, and Special Climate Fund.
“These are not abstract numbers. They are lifelines. They determine whether small island states can protect their coastlines and whether least developed countries can adapt agriculture to survive drought,” Stiell said.
He also stressed the need to expand public finance through grants, concessional resources, and non-debt-creating instruments, while simplifying access to funding and reducing transaction costs for the most vulnerable nations. Innovative solutions such as blended finance, risk-sharing mechanisms, and debt-for-climate swaps were identified as critical tools for scaling private investment in climate-resilient, low-emission growth.
Stiell concluded by framing climate finance as smart economics, not charity, highlighting its potential to create jobs, reduce living costs, improve health, and build resilient communities.
“Real finance, flowing fast and fair, is central to proof. When finance flows, ambition grows. When ambition grows, implementation flows,” he said.
As COP30 continues, Stiell called on all parties to recommit to the Paris Agreement’s goals, using transparent and predictable finance to unlock the wide-ranging benefits of climate action for people and the planet.
