SA Secures $40M Green Climate Fund Grant for Eco Disaster Resilience Project

In a landmark moment for South Africa’s climate adaptation agenda, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a significant funding grant for the Eco Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco DRR) project spearheaded by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The decision was made during the GCF’s 42nd board meeting, held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and has been warmly welcomed by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George.

The grant, totaling just over US$40 million, represents a major investment in South Africa’s ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction strategy and sets the stage for wide-reaching resilience-building efforts over the next eight years.

Building Climate Resilience Through Nature

At its core, the Eco DRR project seeks to embed ecosystem-based approaches into national and local disaster risk planning frameworks. This nature-centric strategy recognizes that healthy ecosystems can play a vital role in mitigating the impacts of climate change-induced disasters, such as floods, droughts, and wildfires.

“This is a monumental achievement for South Africa and a testament to SANBI’s expertise as a Direct Access Entity to the GCF,” said Minister Dion George. “The Eco DRR project will empower millions of our citizens, ensuring that we build a resilient future where nature and communities thrive together.”

Over the project’s lifespan, more than five million South Africans—especially those in vulnerable communities—are expected to benefit through:

• Enhanced infrastructure resilience

• Livelihood protection and diversification

• Increased community awareness and capacity for climate adaptation

• Long-term ecosystem restoration and stewardship

Direct Access Entity Success: SANBI Leads the Way

SANBI’s role as a Direct Access Entity to the GCF means that the institute can apply for and manage climate finance directly, without intermediaries. This underscores the institute’s growing leadership in climate resilience and biodiversity preservation.

By securing this grant, SANBI joins a small but influential group of national institutions around the world with proven capability to manage complex, multi-year, and high-impact climate projects.

“This is a proud milestone for both SANBI and South Africa as a whole,” said George. “It reflects our ability to lead from the front in global climate adaptation and sustainability.”

Alignment With National Climate Strategy

The Eco DRR project is directly aligned with South Africa’s National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which calls for integrating climate resilience into development and disaster risk management efforts at all levels of governance.

The project’s approach to ecosystem-based adaptation supports South Africa’s broader commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement targets, while addressing the country’s unique environmental and socio-economic vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Impact and Implementation

Among the project’s expected long-term benefits are:

• Institutional capacity building to embed Eco DRR principles into public policy

• Job creation and green skills development, particularly in conservation and land rehabilitation

• Strengthened early warning systems and community-based disaster preparedness

• Restoration of degraded ecosystems to improve climate resilience and biodiversity

The implementation strategy also includes partnerships with local governments, civil society organisations, community groups, and other key stakeholders to ensure that the project remains inclusive, community-driven, and responsive to on-the-ground realities.

Commitment to a Sustainable, Inclusive Future

Minister George extended his congratulations to all stakeholders involved in securing the grant and reaffirmed his department’s dedication to ensuring that the project delivers on its transformative potential.

“We will work tirelessly to ensure that the benefits of this initiative reach our most vulnerable communities, paving the way for a sustainable future,” he stated. “By leveraging the power of ecosystems, this project not only mitigates disaster risks but also fosters inclusive growth and environmental stewardship.”

With the Eco DRR project now formally approved and funded, South Africa takes a significant leap toward becoming a climate-resilient nation—where biodiversity, human well-being, and sustainable development are inextricably linked.