Facilitating access to finance for climate-resilient cities

Ausgangssituation

Cities play a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions and promoting climate adaptation. By 2050, 66 per cent of the global population will live in cities, with Africa and Asia accounting for 90 per cent of the growth.

However, the green transition lacks finance, expertise and close collaboration with financial institutions. Many cities have no access to climate finance because their projects are not investment-ready. They need feasibility studies, robust financing models, and well-structured proposals. Financial institutions and private investors often refrain from investing when projects are not well prepared or fail to demonstrate clear economic and social benefits.

Ziel

Cities worldwide are climate-resilient and socially just. They contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gases.

Vorgehensweise

As a programme platform, CIVIC combines the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) and the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF), initiatives that work towards transforming cities for a sustainable future.

Activities include:
Preparing projects: CIVIC supports cities in developing investment-ready infrastructure projects, accessing climate finance and mobilising public and private investments.
Capacity building: Trainings and other activities are designed to create awareness, also about gender-specific needs, to help cities better plan and implement climate-friendly and socially just projects.
Facilitating access to finance: CIVIC collaborates with cities to develop new financing models and advises them on accessing international climate funds, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Expanding international partnerships: The programme works with global city networks and financial institutions to share and consolidate knowledge.

Last update: March 2025