Governments, aid donors, and environmental groups got some big news this week: More than $300 million is on the way for new climate projects designed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), according to a press release. The Green Climate Fund signed off on this boost during its board meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Behind this move is a drive to protect forests, strengthen fishing communities, and breathe new life into land that’s been worn down by harsh weather. The FAO shaped each project with local needs in mind, building on years of partnerships and groundwork to help these countries get serious about both climate risks and the future.
Papua New Guinea stands to get $63.4 million for its forests through a global effort to cut deforestation and help communities switch to smarter land use. In Saint Lucia, $16.7 million will go toward making the island’s fisheries and aquaculture more resilient as storms and warming seas threaten local livelihoods. Meanwhile, in Africa’s Sahel region, the money will help expand the Great Green Wall, a massive project aimed at restoring dry, fragile land and giving rural families a better shot at stability.
“These projects will make a real difference for people facing the worst of today’s climate shocks,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, who also thanked the Green Climate Fund and its partners for backing the work.
He stressed that these kinds of investments help provide the right technical know-how, right where it’s needed.
With this new round of funding, the FAO’s total climate portfolio with the Green Climate Fund climbs above $1.8 billion—a big step for boosting food security and protecting the environment in some of the world’s most vulnerable spots.
