undefined/undefined

ODA Spending

ODA in Context

France was the third largest donor for projects related to climate change mitigation and adaptation in 2020.

This funding represents 56% of France’s bilateral allocable ODA, almost double the DAC average of 23%, putting it in 2nd place among DAC donors in terms of its relative prioritization of climate change-related projects.

ODA Trends

Climate change is a longstanding priority of French development policy, particularly since the 2015 Paris Agreement, as well as the global commitment to mobilize US$100 billion per year from 2020-2025 by high-income countries.

Most of France's climate change-related funding from 2016-2020 targeted projects with climate change mitigation and/or adaptation as principal goals, more than four times the DAC average of 9%. A smaller percentage of financing was spent on projects with a significant climate change component.

ODA Breakdown

Bilateral Spending

France’s climate-related ODA in 2020 emphasized cross-cutting adaptation and mitigation projects (41%), while 30% targeted mitigation only and 30% went towards adaptation only.

The largest share of climate funding focused on agriculture, financial services and business support, and water sanitation and hygiene sectors, which received 16%, 15%, and 10% of climate finance in 2020, in addition to 12% of projects which were labeled ‘other multisector.’

Multilateral Spending and Commitments

In addition to bilateral flows, France contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation in low- and middle-income countries through its contributions to multilaterals.

Funding & Policy Outlook

French President Emmanuel Macron made climate a flagship issue of his presidency. The 2021 development law defines climate as a central cross-cutting objective of French development policy and emphasizes climate adaptation in particular.

At COP26 in November 2021, France pledged US$7 billion in annual climate finance until 2025 to support partner countries. One-third of the COP26 pledge is committed to climate adaptation funding, with a focus on countries in Africa, and especially within its 19 priority ‘sub-Saharan African’ countries.

The AFD committed to disbursing 50% of its financing to climate-related programming, a target which it surpassed in 2021 when it disbursed €6 billion (US$6.8 billion) to climate-related programs. The AFD’s Climate and Development Strategy 2017-2022 outlines its climate priorities. The AFD was also appointed chair of the International Development Finance Club (IDFC) in October 2017, which strongly emphasizes climate action.

At COP27, France announced a €20 million (US$23 million) contribution to the “Global shield” against climate risks. It also emphasized that the €6 billion(US$6.8 billion) pledge for international climate finance has been reached, with €6.1 billion (US$7 billion) disbursed in 2021, including €2.2 billion (US$2.5 billion) for adaptation.

Key bodies