Accountability in Climate Action

Under the second replenishment, to support programming for the period 2024–2027, the GCF’s contributors have pledged a further USD 12.8 billion. By 2030, the GCF aims to be managing USD 50 billion of funds and an ever-increasing number of projects on the ground. In this respect, the GCF aims to play a key and increasingly important role in channelling new, additional, adequate and predictable financial resources to developing countries. To ensure this takes place, and as set out in its Governing Instrument, the GCF must operate in a transparent and accountable manner.

Accountability is hardwired into the fabric of the GCF. It has three accountability mechanisms in the form of the three sister independent units. Further, the decisions of the GCF are hedged in and constrained by checks and balances, by the deliberations of the Board, by the inclusive range of number of stakeholders involved, such that the GCF is solely put at the service of promoting the paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways.

Whistleblowers and witnesses play key roles in ensuring accountability and countering Prohibited Practices and other acts of Wrongdoing. By doing so, whistleblowers help to safeguard the financial, operational and reputational integrity of the GCF, and by extension help to safeguard the integrity of the global effort to tackle climate change.

This IEU has completed an independent evaluation to inform decision-making on strengthening the GCF’s Policy on the Protection of Whistleblowers and Witnesses and its effective implementation.

Despite the PPWW's strong alignment with the GCF's vision, strategic goals, and management direction, and its implementation of best practices, the evaluation found some areas for improvement. As the PPWW is an institutional policy of the GCF, this evaluation highlights opportunities to support a coherent internal integrity and HR framework. Processes around the protection of whistleblowers and witnesses need to be fully integrated into the broader GCF policy landscape.

The harmonization and integration of this policy landscape will support the clarity, understanding of and trust in the PPWW. Policy tools for operationalization are vital for its effective and efficient use and uptake. Since the adoption of the PPWW, relevant guidance, standards, and manuals have been established. Such guidance needs to be complete and consistent to ensure trust, confidence, and predictability.

Further, regular training could provide an enabling environment, ensuring confidence and trust in procedures and decision-making. We know how capacity-building efforts enhance external entities’ confidence in and alignment with the PPWW. As a learning organization, the GCF’s capacity-building and learning from other organizations’ approaches go hand in hand, to ensure a sustainable approach for the future.