IEU information session on climate information and early warning systems

On 4 November 2025, the IEU hosted an information session for GCF Secretariat colleagues to present emerging findings from its ongoing evaluation of the Fund’s investments in climate information and early warning systems (CIEWS).  

The evaluation looks at two main areas: the GCF’s overall approach to CIEWS, and how CIEWS projects and programmes are performing in practice. This includes questions around how the Fund collaborates with key actors, how different funding windows and programmatic approaches are being used, and whether investments are effective, measurable and reaching the last mile for vulnerable communities.  

During the session, the team shared early analysis suggesting that, as of B.42, the GCF had invested an estimated USD 1.9 billion in CIEWS related interventions, representing around 10 per cent of the portfolio. Compared with other funders, this positions the GCF as a leading funder of early warning systems globally.  

The discussion also covered  the definition of CIEWS and the application of a theory of change within the evaluation, which aimed to clarify how GCF inputs, partnerships and funding modalities are expected to produce outcomes such as improved climate information services and multi-hazard early warning systems to protect lives, livelihoods and assets.  

Colleagues used the Q&A to reflect on how CIEWS investments interact with existing international frameworks and guidance, how gender and vulnerable groups are addressed in design and implementation, how traditional knowledge is integrated, and how roles and responsibilities are shared between countries, Accredited Entities and the GCF in turning plans and action plans into results on the ground.