Financial institutions based in the Middle East and North Africa can now find the tools and insight to transform the region’s financial system to one that addresses the funding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The knowledge platform: “Financing the climate transition in the MENA” is a key deliverable of a new programme, the SDG Climate Facility. It has been initiated by a group of organisations who are working to enhance the capacity of Arab regional and national institutions to effectively integrate climate change into development, crisis prevention and recovery actions. They are also aiming to scale up public and private finance to support solutions that build resilience to climate change and strengthen the capacity of the region to adapt.

The collaboration between the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), UN Development Programme (UNDP), World Food Programme (WFP), UN Habitat, Arab Water Council, the League of Arab States (LAS), and UN Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) aims to engage key financial sector actors in the Arab region where climate change has emerged as one of the most important factors exacerbating poverty and human insecurity. Managing climate risk will be key to maintaining regional financial and political stability. This platform provides the knowledge for financial institutions in the Arab region to better understand the risks and opportunities of climate change and how to address not only the impact but also the transition.

Financial institutions can find news and insight into financing the energy transition, as well as more information on frameworks that can help banks and investors achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement such as UNEP FI’s Principles for Responsible Banking and guidance on implementing the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Relevant training courses are also listed.

Explore the new platform here.

The SDG Climate Facility is financially supported by Sweden Sverige (SIDA).