The Trump administration has withdrawn $4 billion in U.S. commitments to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a United Nations-supported initiative that aids over 100 countries in their climate change mitigation efforts, as reported by Politico. This decision has been confirmed by the fund and represents a historic action, as no other nation has previously rescinded its pledged contributions. In contrast to the first Trump administration, which allowed existing U.S. commitments to remain intact, this latest decision completely nullifies the outstanding financial pledges. Founded in 2010, the GCF allocates resources for clean energy and climate adaptation initiatives in developing countries, having approved a total of $16 billion in funding thus far.
In 2023, the Biden administration reaffirmed a $3 billion commitment to the fund, aligning with a previous pledge made during the Obama administration. This positions the U.S. as the largest donor, with a total commitment of $6 billion, although only $2 billion has been disbursed to date, according to Politico.In contrast, other countries such as Germany, France, Japan, and the U.K. have provided more substantial contributions in practice. While the immediate financial implications for the GCF remain stable, the fund has indicated that its long-term goals may be hindered. The GCF stated, “Looking ahead, the Fund aims to grow its total portfolio to at least $50 billion by 2030. If pledges are not fully realized, our ability to support the climate ambitions of developing countries will be constrained.”
