Policies & strategies
Policies and strategies
As part of its mandate, the GCF Board approves specific operational policies and guidelines, including for programming, project cycle, administration, and financial management. The Board also approves strategies, which guide the overall direction of Fund operations. Together, these strategies and policies establish the framework for implementation of the GCF’s Governing Instrument.
Governing Instrument
The Governing Instrument for the Green Climate Fund was approved by the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its seventeenth session on 11 December 2011 in Durban, South Africa.
Strategic plan
The Board has adopted the GCF Strategic Plan, which sets out its long-term vision for the Fund, as well as its objectives, strategic priorities and operational priorities for the current programming period. The initial Strategic Plan was adopted in 2016 for the Initial Resource Mobilization period (2015-2019). The Strategic Plan was then updated in 2020 for the GCF first replenishment period (2020-2023).
Private sector strategy
The Board adopted at B.32 the Private Sector Strategy, which sets out the four pillars through which the GCF aims to catalyze private climate finance in a country-driven manner to meet developing countries’ needs and the objectives of the Updated Strategic Plan.
Guidance on adaptation
The Board welcomed at B.33 the Guidance on adaptation which speaks to the GCF’s vision, strategic approach, and scope for supporting adaptation programming, and how the GCF aims to deliver this through its range of modalities that support adaptation activities.
Accreditation stategy
The Board adopted at B.34 the Accreditation Strategy, which clarifies the GCF operating model and guides the evolution of the GCF network of AEs in order to deliver on the GCF’s mandate, objectives and programming directions.
Policy map
GCF policy frameworks generally include a mix of top-level policies adopted by the Board to govern a specific subject matter, the related Board decisions which adopt the policies and may contain additional policy provisions, and other policy instruments (such as standards or guidelines) which further elaborate how policies should be operationalized. The main GCF policy frameworks, aligned with the Governing Instrument, are shown in the boxes below.

Clicking on the boxes will take you to the policies in each framework. Alternately, you can search across the entire suite of policies through the search function below.
Search policies
Title | Theme | Date |
---|---|---|
Non-financial risk policy (Component VI) Adopted by decision B.19/04 (a) (ii). This policy describes management approach to non-financial risks and the definition of non-financial risks. |
Risk management framework | 01 Mar 2018 |
Policy on fees Adopted by decision B.19/09. Updates the payments to be made by entities seeking accreditation. |
Accreditation framework | 01 Mar 2018 |
Risk dashboard (Component III) Adopted by decision B.19/04 (b). Presents an update to the risk dashboard. |
Risk management framework | 01 Mar 2018 |
Environmental and social policy Adopted by decision B.19/10; applicable to all projects up to B.32. Adopts the environmental and social management system and incorporates the environmental social policy, environmental social safeguards as part of the overarching environmental and social management system; adopts the environmental social policy that articulates how the GCF will integrate environmental and social considerations into its decision-making. |
Sustainability policies | 01 Mar 2018 |
Terms of reference of the permanent Trustee Adopted by decision B.19/03. Adopts the terms of reference of the permanent Trustee. |
Terms of reference | 01 Mar 2018 |
Terms of reference for the pilot programme for REDD+ results-based payments Adopted by decision B.18/07. The objective of the RFP pilot programme for REDD-plus results-based payments is to operationalise REDD-plus results-based payments. |
02 Oct 2017 | |
Simplified approval process pilot scheme Adopted by decision B.18/06; superseded by decision [B.32/05]; applicable to all projects up to B.31. Adopts the simplified approval process to reduce time and effort needed in preparation, review, approval, and disbursement for proposals of certain activities. |
Project approval process | 02 Oct 2017 |
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism policy Adopted by decision B.18/10 (a). Outlines the principles and minimum standards of internal AML/CFT controls which should be adhered to by the GCF to mitigate reputational, regulatory, legal and financial loss risks. |
Integrity policies | 02 Oct 2017 |
Updated terms of reference of the Independent Redress Mechanism Adopted by decision B.BM-2017/10. Adopts the updated terms of reference of the Independent Redress Mechanism. |
Terms of reference | 25 Sep 2017 |
Risk guidelines for funding proposals (Component IV) Adopted by decision B.17/11 (a) (iv). Provides guidelines for the risk assessment of Funding Proposals and Concept Notes by GCF. |
Risk management framework | 06 Jul 2017 |