Board decisions

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/20 titled “Status of staffing of the Secretariat – a progress report”,

1. Takes note of the report;
2. Agrees that the salary scales of the International Staff in the Secretariat shall be updated to align with the salary scales of the Asian Development Bank in 2016;
3. Also agrees that the salary scales of the Administrative Services staff in the Secretariat shall be updated to align with the salary scale of the World Bank Group Korea Office in 2016;
4. Requests that future revisions will be based on an annual review of salary scales by the Secretariat that considers elements such as inflation and practices in relevant institutions, including in the Republic of Korea and the region, and subject to Board approval;
5. Agrees that any budgetary implications resulting from salary adjustments, shall be considered by the Budget Committee in line with its mandate to review and make recommendations on the budget implications of staffing changes, and be referred to the Board for its consideration of the budget;
6. Authorizes the Secretariat to offer individual salary progression, based on a satisfactory annual review of performance;
7. Notes section E, paragraph 10(1), of the Administrative guidelines on human resources, which states that: “The Executive Director sets the guidelines for the distribution of salary increases during the first quarter of each year. The guidelines include the levels of authority responsible for making salary increase recommendations for the various levels of staff”; and
8. Requests the Secretariat, in consultation with the Budget Committee, to present to the Board at its fourteenth meeting, additional measures to strengthen Secretariat capacity.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.13/21 titled “Policies on ethics and conflicts of interest for other Board appointed officials and active observers”,

1. Adopts the Policy on ethics and conflicts of interest for Board-appointed officials of the Green Climate Fund set out in annex V;
2. Requests the Ethics and Audit Committee, with the support of the Secretariat, to continue its work on recommended policies on ethics and conflicts of interest for active observers; and
3. Also requests the Head of the Independent Integrity Unit to develop administrative guidance on the implementation of the GCF policies on ethics and conflicts of interest, including definitions of terms used in the policies, as soon as possible.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/23 titled “Consideration of accreditation proposals”,

1. Decides to defer the consideration of applicants 034 to 038, as contained in document GCF/B.13/23, until the fourteenth meeting of the Board; and
2. Requests the Accreditation Committee to present for consideration by the Board at its fourteenth meeting a policy document that addresses the current policy gaps in the accreditation framework, in particular matters related to the types of entities to be accredited to the GCF.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/19 (limited distribution) titled “Accreditation master agreements and funded activity agreements”,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the progress made by the Executive Director in executing accreditation master agreements;
2. Notes the progress made by the Secretariat in negotiating changes to the accreditation master agreement template so as to meet the unique circumstances and requirements of specific accredited entities, and notes in particular the specific issues it has highlighted for the Board in document GCF/B.13/19 as potential “substantive changes” from the accreditation master agreement template;
3. Recognizes the need to conclude the outstanding accreditation master agreements with urgency, and notes the flexibility provided by the Board in decision B.12/31 in that regard, in which it noted that the template accreditation master agreement was a basis for negotiations and provided a process for the resolution and Board approval of “substantive changes” from the template accreditation master agreement with recourse to the Board, where appropriate;
4. Reiterates the process as set out in decision B.12/31 for addressing substantive changes from the template accreditation master agreement, clarifies that provisions which contradict a Board-approved policy are substantive changes, and further clarifies that other changes that, in the judgment of the Executive Director, materially affect the terms of the template accreditation master agreement are to be addressed through the process set out in such a decision;
5. Requests that the Secretariat, on behalf of the GCF, conclude pending accreditation master agreements as a matter of urgency, recognizing the potential contribution of each agreement towards approved projects and the functioning of the project pipeline;
6. Decides, in this regard, that pending agreements for which negotiations are concluded prior to the fourteenth meeting of the Board and for which recourse to the Board is required under decision B.12/31 should be promptly submitted for approval by the Board under the no-objection procedure established for decisions between meetings as set out in paragraphs 41–44 of the Rules of Procedures of the Board;
7. Urges the Secretariat to consider how to expedite the approval of outstanding accreditation master agreements, and to report to the Board at its fourteenth meeting with any requests for Board action in this regard; and
8. Also urges all relevant parties to continue to work in good faith taking into consideration Board approved policies to finalize negotiations on outstanding accreditation master agreements.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/19 (limited distribution) titled “Accreditation master agreements and funded activity agreements”,

1. Decides to approve the amendments from the accreditation master agreement with Acumen Fund, Inc. in respect of the implementation of FP005, as set out in annex VI;
2. Requests the Executive Director or her designee to conclude negotiations with Acumen Fund, Inc., on the funded activity agreement and its related legal arrangements for the implementation of FP005 and to execute these in such form and substance as she deems appropriate, and expresses its full support for the outcome of the negotiations on the relevant legal arrangements; and
3. Decides, with reference to decision B.BM-2016/07 (limited distribution), to extend the deadline up to 180 days after the date of effectiveness of the relevant accreditation master agreement or the date of this decision, whichever is later, for entering into the funded activity agreements for the following funding proposals:
   1. FP001 (Profonanpe, Peru);
   2. FP002 (United Nations Development Programme, Malawi);
   3. FP003 (Centre de Suivi Ecologique, Senegal);
   4. FP005 (Acumen Fund, Inc., East Africa); and
   5. FP007 (United Nations Development Programme, Maldives).

The Board also adopted a limited distribution decision under this agenda item:

DECISION B.13/31 on Accreditation Master Agreement.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/24 titled “Progress and outlook report of the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme”,

1. Reaffirms the resource allocation framework for the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme as contained in decision B.08/11;
2. Also reaffirms decision B.06/06 on the initial parameters and guidelines for allocating resources during the initial phase of the GCF, that decided that sufficient resources should be provided for readiness and preparatory support activities;
3. Further reaffirms the important role of the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme in the development of country programming frameworks;
4. Welcomes the simplification of the readiness support template and encourages the Secretariat to continue to expedite the approval and disbursement of readiness and preparatory support resources;
5. Adopts the revised indicative list of activities that can be supported by the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme as contained in annex VII;
6. Requests the Secretariat to present, in their report to the Board at its fourteenth meeting, analysis of the challenges identified so far in the effective and efficient implementation of the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, and an assessment of actions taken as well as progress achieved to date on the implementation and outcomes of approved readiness activities;
7. Notes difficulties that have been encountered in the conclusion of readiness grant agreements;
8. Agrees to simplify the readiness grant agreement with a view to developing an arrangement for country programme framework agreements in order to expedite the disbursement of readiness resources;
9. Decides that the terms of the accreditation master agreement template may not be applicable to the readiness programme; and
10. Amends decision B.12/31, paragraph (h), to add the following sentence: “Paragraph 7(b) of Exhibit A of the accreditation master agreement shall not apply to readiness delivery partners that have immunities under international law”.

The Board,

1. Decides to defer the issue of country ownership guidelines for consideration at its fourteenth meeting;
2. Requests the Secretariat to prepare the guidelines on country ownership based on the elements of decision B.10/10, paragraph (c), and to include appropriate elements of the strategic plan into the guidelines related to country ownership; and
3. Also requests the Secretariat to ensure the guidelines include guidance for the operationalization of all Board decisions related to country ownership.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/26 titled “Further development of some indicators in the performance measurement frameworks”,

Decides to defer consideration of further development of some indicators in the performance measurement frameworks as contained in document GCF/B.13/26 to the fourteenth meeting of the Board.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.13/29 titled “Report on the proposed revision of the risk register”:

1. Notes that the Risk Management Committee reviewed the proposed revision of the risk register and concluded that the revision was reasonable; and
2. Decides that the risk register will be updated as frequently as the Risk Management Committee deems necessary, but no less frequently than once every three years.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.13/27/Rev.02 titled “Interim risk and investment guidelines: Risk Management Committee proposal”:

1. Adopts the Interim risk and investment guidelines as contained in annexes VIII and IX. These guidelines will expire the earlier of (i) the sixteenth meeting of the Board, or (ii) at the adoption of an updated set of risk policies and guidelines as determined by decision B.12/34;
2. Decides that, in case these interim guidelines expire and the Secretariat cannot yet confirm that adequate in-house risk management capacity is in place, the GCF will only be able to participate in a tranche aligned with the accredited entity on all terms and conditions other than pricing and must not be the largest contributor or financier in a tranche or any whole project, in order to mitigate GCF risk exposure;
3. Reiterates that the GCF intends to be an institution that takes risks that other institutions or funds are not willing or able to take; and
4. Requests the Secretariat to develop the necessary methodologies and internal procedures, hire a permanent Risk Manager and additional staff to enhance the Secretariat’s risk management capacity as a matter of urgency, and report to the Board, as part of the report on the activities of the Secretariat at each meeting, on the status of this process.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.13/28 “Administrative Tribunal of the Green Climate Fund (status update)”,

1. Takes note of the progress made to date with respect to the arrangements for the Administrative Tribunal of the GCF; and
2. Requests the Secretariat to prepare a document for consideration by the Board as soon as is possible, and no later than at its fifteenth meeting, setting out the options for the Administrative Tribunal of the GCF, which should include an estimate of the related costs.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/22 titled “Audited financial statements of the Green Climate Fund for the year ended 31 December 2015”,

Approves the financial statements of the GCF for the year ended 31 December 2015 as contained in annex X.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.13/31 titled “Date and venue of the following meeting of the Board”,

1. Affirms that the fourteenth meeting of the Board will take place from Tuesday, 18 October 2016, to Thursday, 20 October 2016;
2. Decides that the fourteenth meeting of the Board will take place in Quito, Ecuador, as suggested by the host country; and
3. Requests the Secretariat to continue its consultations with Ecuador with a view to concluding the required legal agreement and to making the necessary arrangements.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/BM-2016/10 titled “Terms of reference for the review of observer participation”:

1. Approves the terms of reference for the review of observer participation, as contained in annex I to this document; and
2. Requests the Secretariat to conduct consultations, starting at the thirteenth meeting of the Board, with accredited observers with a view to identifying existing gaps and needed improvements, and to presenting a report with recommendations on the outcomes of the review for consideration by the Board no later than its fifteenth meeting.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/BM-2016/07 titled “Updating the Green Climate Fund’s Gender Policy and Action Plan”,

1. Approves the terms of reference for the update of the Fund’s Gender Policy and Action Plan, as contained in Annex I of this document.

The Board, in accordance with decision B.08/20 and through a decision taken between meetings on a no-objection basis:

Approves the accreditation of the following organizations as observer organizations with the Fund:

Civil Society Organizations:

African Women’s Network for Community management of Forests (REFACOF)

CEE Bankwatch Network (BWN)

Coordinating Body of the Indigenous Organizations in the Amazon Basin (COICA)

The Development Fund Norway (DF)

International Geothermal Association (IGA)

International Hydropower Association (IHA)

Prakriti Resources Centre (PRC)

Solar Sisters

Private sector organizations:

Adam Smith International (ASI)

The Carbon Trust

Perspectives GmbH (PCC)

International entities:

Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)

European Forest Institute (EFI)

The Board,

Appoints Mr. Carlos Raúl Delgado Aranda as a member of the Risk Management Committee.

The Board,
Appoints Mr. Yingming Yang as a member of the Risk Management Committee.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.12/29 titled “Appointment of representatives to the Private Sector Advisory Group: proposal from the Co‐Chairs”,

1. Appoints the following four private sector representatives from developing countries to the Private Sector Advisory Group:
   1. Mr. Dipal Chandra Barua;
   2. Mr. Rodrigo Violic;
   3. Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa; and
   4. Mr. Kevin Whitfield;
2. Also appoints the following four private sector representatives from developed countries to the Private Sector Advisory Group:
   1. Mr. David Bresch;
   2. Mr. Jay Koh;
   3. Mr. Torben Möger Pedersen; and
   4. Mr. Hiroyuki Tezuka;
3. Further appoints Mr. Aurelio Souza as a civil society representative from developing countries to the Private Sector Advisory Group; and
4. Requests the Secretariat to initiate an open call for nominations, including from Board members, for the selection of one civil society representative from developed countries in accordance with the terms of reference as set out in annex XIX to decision B.05/13, with the appointment of nominated representatives subject to approval by the Co‐Chairs.

The Board,

Decides to defer its consideration of the performance criteria and measurement procedure of the Heads of the Accountability Units to the thirteenth meeting of the Board.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.12/22 titled “Appointment of additional experts of the independent Technical Advisory Panel”,

1. Endorses the nomination by the Investment Committee of the following experts of the independent Technical Advisory Panel (the Panel) for one term:
   1. Mr. Felix Dayo (Nigeria);
   2. Ms. Marina Shvangiradze (Georgia); and
   3. Mr. Daniel Nolasco (Canada/Argentina);
2. Notes that the endorsed candidates have been informed of the Fund’s policy on ethics and conflicts of interest for external members of the Green Climate Fund panels and groups, and that they will be bound by the policy upon the endorsement under paragraph (a) above;
3. Also notes that the endorsed candidates have provided a list of their respective current functions and roles and have stated that they do not have any current conflict of interest;
4. Further notes that, with the candidates endorsed at this meeting, the composition of the Panel deviates on an exceptional basis from the geographical balance between developed and developing countries approved in decision B.09/10, paragraph (a);
5. Decides that the matter of the composition of the Panel, including balance in terms of geographical and technical expertise coverage, will be included as part of the review of the structure and effectiveness of the Panel requested by the Board through decision B.10/09, paragraph (d); and
6. Notes that each Panel member will be subject to regular performance evaluations, consistent with the Fund’s practice for external members serving on panels and groups of the Fund.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.12/03/Rev.01 titled “2016 Work Plan of the Board: proposal from the Co‐Chairs”,

1. Approves the Work Plan of the Board for 2016, as set out in annex II to document GCF/B.12/03/Rev.01; and
2. Requests the Co‐Chairs to update the Work Plan following each meeting of the Board.

The Board,

1. Requests the Secretariat to prepare a document for consideration by the Board at its thirteenth meeting that outlines the Fund’s approach for ensuring complementarity and coherence with other institutions in accordance with paragraphs 33 and 34 of the Governing Instrument for the GCF and relevant guidance from the Conference of the Parties;
2. Also requests the Secretariat to prepare a document for consideration by the Board at its fourteenth meeting that outlines ways to provide support pursuant to the existing Fund modalities, for facilitating access to environmentally sound technologies in developing countries, and for undertaking collaborative research and development for enabling developing countries to enhance their mitigation and adaptation action;
3. Further requests the Secretariat to present a document for consideration by the Board at its thirteenth meeting on how the Fund may wish to support the Cancun Adaptation Framework and relevant adaptation planning articles of the Paris Agreement;
4. Also requests the Secretariat to provide a document for consideration by Board at its fourteenth meeting, allowing for the operationalization of results‐based payments for activities referred to in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 70, consistent with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change decision 9/CP.19 and in accordance with Board decision B.08/08;
5. Further requests the Secretariat to provide a document, for the consideration of the Board at its fifteenth meeting, regarding alternative policy approaches, such as joint mitigation and adaptation approaches for the integral and sustainable management of forests consistent with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change decision 16/CP.21, paragraph 6, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change decision 7/CP.21, paragraph 25;
6. Invites the Private Sector Advisory Group to make recommendations on the mobilization of private sector finance to progress the Fund’s forestry‐related result areas for consideration by the Board at its fifteenth meeting in 2016.