RTI International named an accredited observer by the Green Climate Fund

The world’s largest climate fund dedicated to supporting developing countries

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – RTI International (RTI), a nonprofit research and leading international development institute, was recently granted accredited observer status by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The GCF was established in 2010 through the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change to support the efforts of developing countries in responding to the challenges of climate change.

“We are proud to be an accredited observer for the Green Climate Fund,” said Daniel Lapidus, senior economist and climate liaison at RTI. “GCF has the unique ability to accelerate climate action by building a stronger enabling environment for climate action, accelerating new innovations, and mobilizing finance at scale.”

The GCF is mandated to invest 50% of its resources to mitigation and 50% to adaptation, with at least half going to the most climate vulnerable countries. Since the funding of its first project in 2015, GCF has initiated more than 100 projects, with more than $9.8 billion in contributions. 

“We are not on track to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels,” said Nicole Barnes, senior vice president for sustainable growth and resilience at RTI. “A big obstacle is climate finance. We need to increase financing and coordination to support science-based climate solutions that help communities and countries, especially those most vulnerable, adapt to the changing climate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” 

As an accredited observer, RTI will engage with accredited entities implementing GCF-funded, country-led projects globally, as well as collaborate with public and private sector organizations to strengthen GCF stakeholder engagement and streamline climate finance opportunities.

“Through this new partnership with GCF, we are excited to accelerate climate action by partnering on climate research, technology development, and project implementation to help scale-up proven and innovative country-driven climate solutions,” said Aleisha Khan, senior climate advisor for RTI’s International Development Group.  
 
Learn more about RTI’s Center for Climate Solutions 

Learn more about RTI’s expanded commitments to locally led development