Norway provides NOK 316 million for international climate and environmental action

The agreements have a total value of NOK 316 million over two years. Norway is announcing the support in connection with the COP31 climate summit in Antalya. 

‘Climate change hits the poorest and most vulnerable hardest. This support will help developing countries move from plans to action, prevent disasters and protect lives and livelihoods. At the same time, we are strengthening the international cooperation we need to address the climate and environmental crisis,’ said Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust. 

Supporting national climate and biodiversity plans 

Under the Paris Agreement, countries have committed to submitting national climate targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (often abbreviated to NDCs). These climate targets are crucial to cutting emissions and enabling green development. Norway therefore supports the NDC Partnership, which helps developing countries translate national climate ambitions into concrete action. Through the agreement, Norway also supports the implementation of national biodiversity plans through the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) Accelerator Partnership. Norway is providing a total of NOK 46 million to the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office for Project Services. The support will bring climate and biodiversity efforts closer together, promote nature-based solutions and contribute to coordinated action. 

Preventing disasters 

Norway is providing NOK 40 million to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and NOK 30 million to the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. This year’s El Niño and its consequences underscore the importance of investing in preparedness for extreme weather. 

The organisations help countries understand and reduce the risk of climate-related natural disasters. Their work includes preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure and measures to prevent extreme weather from having even more severe consequences. 

Providing NOK 200 million to the United Nations Environment Programme 

Norway is also entering into an agreement to provide NOK 200 million in voluntary core funding to the United Nations Environment Programme for 2026 and 2027. The support is not earmarked for individual projects. This allows the organisation to use the funds where the needs are greatest. 

Norway is the largest donor of voluntary core funding to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Environment Fund. The agreement is in addition to a regular annual contribution to UNEP in the form of core funding of around NOK 30 million, and other Norwegian support for earmarked initiatives through the organisation. 

Providing NOK 195 million annually to the Global Environment Facility 

In addition to the agreements announced at COP, Norway has recently entered into an agreement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for NOK 195 million annually for the period 2026–2029. GEF helps finance the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework and several other climate, biodiversity and environmental agreements. The support is an important contribution to climate, biodiversity and pollution-related work in developing countries and helps strengthen the legitimacy of international climate and environmental cooperation. 

This text was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence. While the translation has been reviewed by our employees, minor discrepancies may exist compared to the original Norwegian version.