SIDS are an exceptionally heterogeneous group of countries. But they all have one thing in common: they are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. SIDS face numerous climate threats, including rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, flooding, drought, reduced availability of fresh water, coral reef decline and sea level rise. SIDS suffer inordinately more from climate change than they contribute to it through greenhouse gas emissions. They have been vocal about climate change’s impact on their development and called for prioritized international financial support for adaptation and mitigation activities. SIDS also lent their voice to establishing the GCF to support low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways in developing countries.

At its twenty-fourth meeting, the Board of the GCF asked the IEU to assess the relevance and effectiveness of the Green Climate Fund’s investments in Small Island Developing States. This evaluation is part of a concerted effort by the IEU to examine the relevance and effectiveness of the GCF’s strategy and investments in countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.