11/19/2024

IKI High Level Event at the World Climate Change Conference in Baku

Fireside chat with Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, panel discussion on international climate financing – and launch of two IKI funding rounds

The High Level Event of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) commenced with a fireside chat in the German Climate Pavilion at the World Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku.

In a discussion between Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and Crispian Olver, Chairman of the Presidential Climate Commission of South Africa, it became clear how countries such as South Africa and Germany can learn from each other when it comes to climate action. The important role played by instruments such as the IKI also became evident. The key topic of the chat was the question of how the necessary transformation of the economy and society can be organised ambitiously and fairly - and how the necessary financial resources can be mobilised.

In the ensuing panel discussion, the participants exchanged views on how the implementation and financing of climate action measures can be strengthened worldwide. Jennifer Lee Morgan (State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, Federal Foreign Office), Eva Kracht (Head of Department for International and European Policy, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection), Saliem Fakir (Executive Director, The African Climate Foundation), Anjali Viswamohanan (Asia Investor Group on Climate Change, AIGCC) and Andrea Hurtado Epstein (Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) took part in the discussion.

New funding rounds: launch of the IKI Thematic Call 2024 and the sixth IKI Small Grants Call

Jennifer Morgan presented two specific IKI calls for proposals that aim to promote climate action and biodiversity conservation in developing countries and emerging economies.

Innovative projects sought in nine key areas

The IKI Thematic Call 2024 is looking for innovative project ideas on nine key topics that reflect the strategic direction of the IKI. The topics range from the mobilisation of private capital for climate action to the protection of water bodies and surrounding areas, and even the topic of “climate and peace”.

One or two projects are selected for each thematic priority, with each project receiving between five and 20 million euros in funding. The funding is intended to total up to 205 million euros.

Promotion of small organisations in the four IKI funding areas

The sixth IKI Small Grants Call for Proposals is aimed at small regional, national and local organisations based in an ODA-eligible country. They can apply directly for funding for their local or regional climate and biodiversity projects. The projects are organised thematically in the four IKI funding areas.

Between 60,000 and 200,000 euros are available per project, and 20 to 30 projects will be selected.

Jennifer Morgan commented on the two IKI calls:

“With the IKI Strategy 2030, we aim to make the IKI fit for the challenges of this decade and we build on the integrative approach as the IKI’s unique selling point. Among other things, this approach includes climate and biodiversity financing instruments. As spelled out in the IKI strategy, our competitive calls are an important instrument to us. They ensure that we select projects that deliver high quality and are innovative. I am therefore glad that we are able to launch two of these calls today on behalf of all three IKI ministries.”