Policy Context

The EC outlines three key areas of climate cooperation with partner countries:

1. Dialogue and cooperation on climate policy development and implementation;
2. Expertise sharing through bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives, including research collaboration and technology transfer through Horizon Europe; and
3. Development financing for partner countries to tackle climate change and/or adapt to climate change impact.

Within the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, climate has been mainstreamed across the EUI's main development instrument, the NDICI.

On March 26, 2025, the European Commission released a joint communication on the European Preparedness Union Strategy, together with an Action Plan. Its goal is to create a resilient EU able to anticipate and manage threats and hazards, including climate change and environmental degradation. The Commission said it will embed preparedness in EU external investments, including through scaling up the implementation of climate adaptation and resilience projects in partner countries through the Global Gateway and Team Europe initiatives. However, the strategy does not come with a budget.

In November 2024, the European Commission and the Republic of South Africa together with Global Citizen launched a 'Scaling up Renewables in Africa' pledging campaign. It aims to mobilize public and private investments to accelerate renewable energy projects across Africa to ensure access to affordable energy and reduce global emissions. The campaign will conclude in November 2025 around the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

ODA Spending

How much ODA do the EUI allocate to climate projects?

In 2023, the EUI was the 4^th largest OECD DAC donor to projects related to climate change in absolute terms.

How is EUI's climate ODA changing?

In 2022, the EUI's ODA to projects related to climate change increased by 33% compared to 2021, but fell again in 2023.

In 2023, 18% of climate-related ODA went to projects with a significant focus on agriculture.

The increase in climate change-related projects with a significant focus aligns with the EC’s plan to "mainstream" or integrate climate action across all EU programs, including development initiatives.

How do EUI allocate climate ODA?

Bilateral climate-related ODA

Key sectors receiving the EUI's climate financing in 2022 included agriculture, multisector programs, and energy.

The majority of EUI climate spending supports cross-cutting initiatives, while projects with specific focus on mitigation and adaptation receive 21% and 18%, respectively. Under the 2021-27 MFF, the EUI have committed to spend 35% of NDICI’s budget on climate-related projects.

Multilateral Spending and Commitments

In addition to bilateral flows, the EUI contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation in low- and middle-income countries through their contributions to multilaterals. Recent commitments to climate-change-related organizations include:

Funding Outlook

What is the current government's outlook on climate ODA?

The EUI have set a 35% climate spending target for the NDICI over 2021-2027 compared to the previous programming period: 20% for 2014-2020. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged an additional US$4.7 billion in her 2021 State of the Union address. The EU has also committed to work towards a 50/50 split between adaptation and mitigation funding.

Climate change and green transition will be major areas of cooperation between EU and countries in Africa. In February 2022 at the 6^th AU – EU Summit, climate change and green transition were highlighted as the major areas of cooperation.

EU is mobilizing clean energy investments. In December 2021, The EU launched its new strategy, Global Gateway, to mobilize US$355 billion via a ‘Team Europe’ approach in investments in clean energy (and other sectors such as digital and transport infrastructure, health, education, and research systems) across the globe. Initiatives under this Strategy include the Just and Green Recovery Team Europe Initiative for South Africa, Just Energy Transition Partnerships with Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Senegal, as well as the Team Europe Initiative on Green Recovery in Nepal.

Support for bankable climate-related projects is part of the EU’s portfolio. The EU EIP encourages EU investments in partner countries in Africa and the EU Neighborhood through the EFSD+. It includes financial guarantees and blending instruments for investments into sustainable development, technical assistance for developing bankable climate projects, and improving climate business investment in partner countries.

Key Bodies