The Adaptation Sub-window

Nine out of ten of the world’s most vulnerable countries are in Africa (Climate Vulnerability Index 2022). Africa is not only the most climate-exposed region of the world, but also the least climate-resilient region, with the lowest climate readiness. Fragile and Transition states are among the most vulnerable and have the weakest adaptation capacities – climate vulnerabilities are additional to other sources of vulnerability that qualify them as “fragile”/ “Transition states”. The widespread and accelerating effects of climate change are falling disproportionately on Africa’s poorest, particularly in low-income and fragile contexts. The impacts are most severe for those who are already vulnerable, including women, children, and the elderly. Recognizing that climate change poses the single greatest threat to development in Africa and affects Africa’s low-income countries disproportionately, a dedicated Climate Action Window (CAW) with a strong focus on accelerating adaptation action was created during the Sixteenth (ADF-16) Replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF-16) for 37 least developed countries in Africa. Approximately, US$ 429 million has been committed under the CAW and further resource mobilization from State and Non-State Actors will continue throughout the ADF-16 cycle where the total envelope is expected to grow. The CAW is structured around three sub-windows: adaptation, mitigation, and technical assistance (TA). The allocation of funding between these sub-windows is 75% for adaptation, 15% for mitigation, and 10% for TA.