Policy Context

According to France’s CICID and the 2021 Development Law, fighting climate change is stated as one of the five key priorities for French development cooperation. Further, one of the three objectives prescribed by the Development Law is the protection of global public goods, especially in the context of climate change.

The Presidential Council for Partnerships which took place in April 2025, highlighted 10 objectives of which two relate to climate change:

1. To accelerate the exit from coal and finance renewable energy in developing and emerging countries to limit global warming to 1.5°C
2. To protect carbon storage and global reserves of biodiversity, including forests and oceans

France focuses its effort in climate change mitigation and adaptation on strengthening biodiversity and supporting the energy transitions of LICs and MICs.

In June 2023, President Emmanuel Macron hosted the 4P Summit in Paris, which aimed to rethink the global financial architecture and mobilize financial support for LICs and MICs, especially to fight climate change and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

ODA Spending

How much ODA does France allocate to climate projects?

France was the 4^th largest donor for projects related to climate change mitigation and adaptation in 2023.

This funding represents 56% of France’s bilateral allocable ODA, putting it in 5^rd place among DAC donors in terms of its relative prioritization of climate change-related projects.

How is France's climate ODA changing?

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 HICs.

How does France allocate climate ODA?

Bilateral climate-related ODA

Multilateral Spending and Commitments

In addition to bilateral flows, France contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation in LICs and MICs through its contributions to multilaterals.

Funding Outlook

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

At COP29, France reiterated its commitment to climate finance, including adaptation. According to OECD data, France has provided EUR7.2 billion in climate finance to developing countries in 2023. Eur2.8 billion of total climate finance was directed to climate change adaptation. France has supported annual One Planet Summits and will host the UNOC in Nice in June 2025.

The AFD committed to disbursing 50% of its financing to climate-related programming, a target which it surpassed in 2021 when it disbursed US$7.1 billion to climate-related programs. The AFD’s Climate and Development Strategy 2017-2022 outlined its climate priorities. The AFD was also appointed chair of the IDFC in October 2017, which strongly emphasizes climate action.

In May 2024, France via the French Ministry of Finance and Economy, was appointed to co-chair the Loss and Damage Fund alongside South Africa. The Loss and Damage Fund was created following COP28, in order to meet the needs resulting from the damaging impact of climate change. The first Board of Directors meeting of this new fund was held from April 30 to May 2 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The first decision on the agenda was to appoint the two co-chairs, whose role will be to organize the work of the Fund's Board and establishment of the Fund as a Financial Intermediary Fund with the World Bank. The next meeting is due to take place in July.

Key Bodies