Country Ownership as the Means for Paradigm Shift: The Case of the Green Climate Fund

Luis H. Zamarioli,Pieter Pauw,Christine Grüning

doi:10.3390/su12145714

Abstract

Country ownership echoes from the aid effectiveness agenda in climate finance, becoming a means to ensure that (1) projects are aligned with national climate policies and strategies, (2) national systems are used to increase recipients’ accountability in the use of resources, and (3) national public and private stakeholders are engaged in the process. The concept is a key objective of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), considered in light of the GCF’s goal of promoting the paradigm shift towards low emission and climate-resilient development. In the interplay between international commitments and the progress of its in-country activities, the GCF relies on the agency of National Designated Authorities (NDAs). Based on documental sources, GCF data, and a survey, this article first analyzes whether the GCF’s institutional design creates appropriate responsibilities so NDAs can effectively enhance country ownership. As a second level of effectiveness, the article analyzes whether such an institutional design is currently capable of promoting the desired paradigm shift. In the context of the GCF being a young fund, we found that NDAs have the potential to enhance country ownership, but need more tailored capacity building to ensure that in-country activities are effectively equipped to deliver the paradigm shift.

Highlights

Country ownership has been a fundamental guiding principle and requirement in the aid effectiveness agenda
This paper focuses on two important actors: (c.1) First, Direct Access Entities (DAEs): DAEs were pioneered by the Adaptation Fund [35] and included in the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Governing Instrument with the explicit objective of enhancing country ownership of projects and programs [10]
This is immediately spotted as a key initial framing, as more than 55% of respondents indicated that working as the means to facilitate and enable projects is one of their most challenging functions as an National Designated Authorities (NDAs)

Summary

Introduction

Country ownership has been a fundamental guiding principle and requirement in the aid effectiveness agenda (see Paris Declaration, 2005; Accra Agenda, 2008; Busan Partnership, 2011). Climate finance is based on at least three justifications, namely (a) developed countries’ responsibility for (historical) emissions—even if liability is contested; (b) cooperation to prevent future harm; and (c) solidarity [4,5]. These justifications provide the specific framing to understand country ownership in the context of addressing climate change. National intermediaries play a central role in increasing country ownership, as demonstrated by national focal points in a variety of treaties and supra-national frameworks Their roles range from the simple communication between supranational body and national government, to a more active involvement in operations. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) created two types of Focal Points—political and operational—splitting the roles of governance and communications, as well as the responsibility for aligning activities to national strategies and commitments [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion