Performance-based climate finance ties the flow of financial resources directly to the achievement of specific, measurable and independently verified climate results. This clear connection between funding and outcomes increases transparency, which in turn builds trust among all stakeholders involved – from governments and donors to frontline communities working on climate action. Performance-based climate finance also sparks innovation. Since finance depends on the achievement of results, implementers are keen to find the most effective and efficient ways to deliver impact. is a key enabler of performance-based climate finance worldwide, with extensive experience on climate mitigation.
UNDP
Sustainable transport is a systems-based approach that reduces emissions and environmental impacts while improving safety, equity, and access across all modes of mobility.
In Sasmuan, Philippines, women sustain their families and ecosystems by fishing, weaving nets, and processing crabs. Facing pollution and declining fish stocks, they diversify incomes through crab paste and pickled sea purslane. Along the Mabuanbuan alley, women of all ages gather each morning to untangle crabs from the nets. On average, families harvest around 10 kilos of crabs per day. The UNDP-backed Integrated River Basin Management Project, executed by Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of Asia (PEMSEA) Resource Facility aids in watershed conservation and women's empowerment.
UNDP uses AI and inclusive digital initiatives to empower women, Indigenous peoples, and refugees, transforming online spaces into safer, more inclusive platforms that counter hate speech and amplify marginalized voices.
Every year, the — a swath the size of Egypt, becoming unable to support people, animals and plants. As soil turns to dust and vegetation withers, the ripple effects are massive: 1.3 billion people see their livelihoods threatened and the , nearly 2% of what we produce in a year. Restoring health to soils and life to land is one of the smartest economic moves we can make. By restoring one billion hectares of degraded land (the current global target), we could unlock up to $1.8 trillion in value every year for people around the world. And the return on investment goes beyond economic gains.
Safety and security are essential for our daily lives, impacting our well-being, relationships, and opportunities. They are crucial for fostering progress, as individuals who feel secure are more likely to engage in education and community contributions. To create safe environments, it is important to enhance rights protection, deliver justice, and strengthen the rule of law. A strong, people-centered police force is vital for community security. Through its , the United Nations Development Programme () supports police and security sector reforms in various countries, promoting community policing to rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement.
In the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, Mexico, communities face increasingly unreliable rains and severe droughts, worsened by climate change. The of 2022 was notably harsh, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to adapt to the changing climate. With support from the Global Environment Facility and UNDP, the local organization Alternativas y Participación Social developed a mobile solar-powered water pump to address water scarcity. This pump can be used across different wells to store and irrigate drought-resistant amaranth crops, a drought-tolerant grain and ‘’ native to Mexico. The project produced 20 units for local cooperatives and provided training on their use and maintenance.
Christina Perrine is a woman whose early environmental awareness led her to take action locally. In 2023, she became a Plastics Ambassador for the . Using her solar-powered bicycle, she visited rural villages to collect discarded plastic bottles and educate the community on recycling and reducing plastic use. The initiative, supported by and the , trained six ambassadors, engaged over 4,000 citizens, and collected more than five tonnes of plastic waste. The project also organized clean-up campaigns, assisted small businesses in minimizing single-use plastics, and reached nearly 1,800 students with educational programs.
Our future isn't predetermined; we have choices amidst conflict, climate change, and inequality. By harnessing the creativity of 1.45 billion young people, we can pursue financially rewarding and transformative pathways. However, the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals is nearing, necessitating fresh approaches and global cooperation that are urgently needed due to escalating challenges like declining development assistance and a deepening debt crisis. The serves as a vital platform for leaders to address interconnected crises, reaffirm commitments to inclusive systems, and protect future generations, especially in Africa and Asia.
Small Island Developing States are taking bold action to safeguard ocean biodiversity, despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions.
Diego, Hilda, Juan, and their son Hugo are farmers in Comandante Andresito, Argentina, where together they face the same challenge, living alongside jaguars, known as 'yaguareté' in the region. These large felines, significant in , have seen their population decline by 50% since the 19th century, largely due to habitat loss and conflict with livestock farmers. In Argentina, the situation is even more dire. It’s estimated that of the jaguar's original habitat has been lost. To alleviate these issues, a insurance program was introduced, providing farmers with financial compensation and technical support following confirmed jaguar attacks.
On October 24, 2024, history was made in the serene hills of Kurumugl village, nestled in the Gembogl District of Simbu Province (Papua New Guinea). The Kulkane Tribe formalized their commitment to preserving the country's natural heritage by signing a Conservation Deed, pledging 9,000 hectares of pristine tropical and montane rainforest to conservation. This milestone event marked the culmination of the first phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project pilot site at Mt. Wilhelm, a significant initiative aimed at reducing the funding gap for the country’s Protected Areas Network. The project is to protect biodiversity while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for local communities. The Kulkane Tribe’s commitment extends the boundaries of the Mt. Wilhelm Protected Area, safeguarding critical biodiversity hotspots.
In Yucatan, women are transforming beekeeping into a powerful tool for environmental conservation, financial independence, and community sisterhood through the ancient practice of meliponiculture.
National Adaptation Plans () help countries incorporate climate adaptation into their existing policies and programs, particularly in key sectors like agriculture and water. By proactive planning, governments can reduce risks and enhance climate resilience. NAPs also facilitate access to climate finance and promote collaboration across different societal levels to implement adaptation measures, such as improved water management and resilient infrastructure. NAPs are especially vital for the already facing severe climate hazards, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (), which are highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
shows that with the right choices, AI can help tackle inequality and global challenges—turning today’s uncertainty into tomorrow’s opportunity.