International climate finance: Flanders achieves target

In 2016 Flanders earmarked 19 million euros for international climate finance. The annual target of 14.5 million euros was thus achieved with plenty of room to spare. “Today, the consequences of climate change are already painfully felt by many developing countries. By grouping our resources and efforts at international level, we are increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of our actions and combating fragmentation and waste,” says Flemish Minister-President Geert Bourgeois, who is also charged with Foreign Policy.

Of the Flemish contribution for international climate finance, 12.5 million euros are going to two global funds: the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund. In addition, Flanders is going all-in on working together with the partner countries of our development cooperation. In addition to Malawi, these include Mozambique and South Africa. The climate efforts are being harmonised with the development actions to the highest extent. Social, environmental and economic development must coalesce to the greatest possible extent. “We cannot tolerate climate being a reason for denying millions the right to development,” explains Geert Bourgeois. “Developing countries making efforts for the climate must therefore see social and economic benefits from doing so. Green growth can offer a perspective for sustainable development, a scenario in which the planet and humankind both win.”

Development aid

Nearly all climate finance also satisfies the definition of development aid according to the criteria of the OECD The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), established in 1961 as a result of the Marshall Plan, is a cooperation agreement between 34 countries in order to study and coordinate social and economic policy. The member countries try to solve their problems jointly and to mutually align their international policy. The organisation also collects statistical information to make comparative analyses. These OECD analyses are a valuable basis for the N-VA to test policy against itself or even to give shape to it. OECD . As a result, the global amount that Flanders spent on development cooperation last year, the Flemish ODA (Official Development Assistance), rose to 55.6 million euros. The percentage of climate finance in that amount increased from 13% in 2015 to no less than 33% in 2016.