Boardroom
GCF embodies equitable governance to respond to the global challenge of climate change, one that ensures consensus-based decisions between developed and developing countries.Board decisions
Most decisions are adopted by the GCF Board during its regular meetings, with a few being adopted in between sessions. These decisions are listed on this section, as well as in the various Board meeting pages. Policies and strategies adopted by some of these decisions are extracted and mapped in our policies and stategies page.
The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.13/15 titled “Establishing a programmatic framework for engaging with micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises”,
- Recalls decision B.10/17 that established a pilot programme to support micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises of up to USD 200 million;
- Endorses the draft request for proposals for the micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprise pilot programme materially in the form set out in annex II;
- Requests the Secretariat to issue the request for proposals to solicit responses from accredited entities and potential accredited entities in order to establish and manage the pilot projects/programmes;
- Decides to limit participation of the GCF in the first pilot programme to USD 100 million;
- Also decides to consider funding proposals that are submitted in response to the request for proposals as part of the wider portfolio of the GCF, and through the same modalities as spontaneous proposals;
- Requests the Secretariat to prepare terms of reference for one or more requests for proposals for the remainder of the micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises pilot programme, taking into account lessons learned from this first phase, and to present this for Board consideration; and
- Also requests the Secretariat to provide a status update on the progress of the micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprise pilot programme at the fourteenth meeting of the Board.
The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/16/Rev.01 titled “Consideration of funding proposals”,
- Takes note of the following funding proposals:
- Funding proposal 009 titled “Energy savings insurance (ESI) for private energy efficiency investments by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)” by the Inter- American Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.01;
- Funding proposal 010 titled “De-risking and scaling-up investment in energy efficient building retrofits” by the United Nations Development Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.02;
- Funding proposal 011 titled “Large-scale ecosystem-based adaptation in the Gambia: developing a climate-resilient, natural resource-based economy” by the United Nations Environment Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.03;
- Funding proposal 012 titled “Africa Hydromet program – strengthening climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa: Mali country project” by the World Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.04;
- Funding proposal 013 titled “Improving the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change related impacts in Viet Nam” by the United Nations Development Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.05;
- Funding proposal 014 titled “Project to support the World Bank’s Climate adaptation and mitigation program for the Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB) in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan” by the World Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.06;
- Funding proposal 015 titled “Tuvalu coastal adaptation project (TCAP)” by the United Nations Development Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.07;
- Funding proposal 016 titled “Strengthening the resilience of smallholder farmers in the dry zone to climate variability and extreme events through an integrated approach to water management” by the United Nations Development Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.08; and
- Funding proposal 017 titled “Climate action and solar energy development programme in the Tarapacá Region in Chile” by Corporación Andina de Fomento, as contained in document GCF/B.13/16/Add.09;
- Approves funding proposal 009 for the amount of USD 21,700,000, submitted by the Inter- American Development Bank, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions as contained in annex III;
- Also approves funding proposal 010 for the amount of USD 20,000,000, submitted by the United Nations Development Programme, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions and with due consideration of the recommendations as contained in annex III;
- Further approves funding proposal 011 for the amount of USD 20,546,756, submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions as contained in annex III;
- Approves funding proposal 012 for the amount of USD 22,750,000, submitted by the World Bank, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions and with due consideration of recommendations as contained in annex III;
- Also approves funding proposal 013 for the amount of USD 29,523,000, submitted by the United Nations Development Programme, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions and with due consideration of the recommendations as contained in annex III;
- Further approves funding proposal 014 for the amount of USD 19,000,000, submitted by the World Bank, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions as contained in annex III;
- Approves funding proposal 015 for the amount of USD 36,010,000, submitted by the United Nations Development Programme, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions and with due consideration of the recommendations as contained in annex III;
- Also approves funding proposal 016 for the amount of USD 38,084,000, submitted by the United Nations Development Programme, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions as contained in annex III;
- Further approves funding proposal 017 for the amount of USD 49,000,000, submitted by Corporación Andina de Fomento, contingent on the fulfilment of the conditions and with due consideration of the recommendations as contained in annex III;
- Reaffirms that pursuant to annex VII to decision B.07/03 (annex VII to document GCF/B.07/11), the Executive Director or her designee is authorized to negotiate and enter into legal agreements on behalf of the GCF with accredited entities and other parties involved in respect of funding proposals approved by the Board, taking into account any condition set by the Board in this decision and in the decision accrediting the relevant accredited entity; and
- Authorizes the Secretariat to disburse fees for each funded project/programme approved by the Board as per the disbursement schedule to be agreed in the funded activity agreement in accordance with the interim policy on fees for accredited entities adopted by the Board pursuant to decision B.11/10.
The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.13/17 titled “Interim procedures for redress: reconsideration of funding decisions”,
- Adopts the interim procedures for the reconsideration of funding decisions, as set out in annex IV;
- Requests the Head of the Independent Redress Mechanism to prepare, with the support of the Secretariat, for consideration by the Board no later than its sixteenth meeting, the detailed guidelines and procedures for the independent Redress Mechanism referred to in the terms of reference of the independent Redress Mechanism (decision B.06/09, annex V, para. 14 (document GCF/B.06/18, annex V, para. 14)) in close consultation with similar or equivalent mechanisms of accredited entities and other stakeholders;
- Also requests the Head of the Independent Redress Mechanism, when preparing such detailed guidelines and procedures:
- To consider how the GCF should contribute to the third-party costs and expenses incurred by those who are entitled to seek redress from the GCF and make a recommendation to the Board in this regard, including in respect of the circumstances under which such costs may be claimed and the modalities pursuant to which such costs will be assessed; and
- To include, if possible, guidelines on the categories of information that the Head of the Independent Redress Mechanism may reasonably request from those who are entitled to seek redress from the GCF;
- Affirms that prior to the full operationalization of the GCF independent Redress Mechanism, grievances and complaints from communities and people should be addressed by the institutional grievance mechanism of the relevant accredited entity; and
- Invites the Head of Independent Redress Mechanism, following consultation with relevant stakeholders, to recommend any necessary updates to the terms of reference of the independent Redress Mechanism for the Board’s consideration no later than the fifteenth meeting of the Board.
The Board:
- Recognizes the importance of effective communication and outreach in supporting the objectives and guiding principles of the GCF;
- Also recognizes the need for strategic, clear and consistent communication and outreach by the Secretariat, including Board-appointed officials, and the Board;
- Recalls decision B.04/14, paragraph (c), which requested the Secretariat, under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, to develop a communications strategy for the consideration of the Board;
- Decides that the Secretariat’s capacity for strategic communications and outreach shall be further developed;
- Requests the Secretariat as a matter of urgency and in consultation with the Budget Committee, in considering the structure of the Secretariat, to present for consideration by the Board at its fourteenth meeting a proposal on Secretariat staffing for communications and outreach;
- Decides to prioritize the development of a GCF communications strategy for presentation to the Board no later than its seventeenth meeting;
- Requests the Co-Chairs to oversee communications and outreach, including the development and revision of material until the commencement of the new Executive Director; and
- Decides that, until a communications strategy is adopted, the objectives of communications and outreach are:
- To provide clear and accessible information on the GCF, in order to prompt the generation of high-quality funding proposals that will trigger clear transformational changes;
- To encourage and support all key stakeholders to access and engage with the GCF;
- To ensure broad coverage of developing countries so as to highlight how beneficiary countries will benefit from their relationship with the GCF; and
- To enhance transparency.
The Board, having considered document GCF/B.13/20 titled “Status of staffing of the Secretariat – a progress report”,
- Takes note of the report;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- Authorizes the Secretariat to offer individual salary progression, based on a satisfactory annual review of performance;
- 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
- 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”,
- Adopts the Policy on ethics and conflicts of interest for Board-appointed officials of the Green Climate Fund set out in annex V;
- 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
- 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”,
- 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
- 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”,
- Takes note with appreciation of the progress made by the Executive Director in executing accreditation master agreements;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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
- 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”,
- 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;
- 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
- 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:
- FP001 (Profonanpe, Peru);
- FP002 (United Nations Development Programme, Malawi);
- FP003 (Centre de Suivi Ecologique, Senegal);
- FP005 (Acumen Fund, Inc., East Africa); and
- 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”,
- Reaffirms the resource allocation framework for the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme as contained in decision B.08/11;
- 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;
- Further reaffirms the important role of the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme in the development of country programming frameworks;
- 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;
- Adopts the revised indicative list of activities that can be supported by the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme as contained in annex VII;
- 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;
- Notes difficulties that have been encountered in the conclusion of readiness grant agreements;
- 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;
- Decides that the terms of the accreditation master agreement template may not be applicable to the readiness programme; and
- 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,
- Decides to defer the issue of country ownership guidelines for consideration at its fourteenth meeting;
- 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
- 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”:
- Notes that the Risk Management Committee reviewed the proposed revision of the risk register and concluded that the revision was reasonable; and
- 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”:
- 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;
- 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;
- 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
- 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)”,
- Takes note of the progress made to date with respect to the arrangements for the Administrative Tribunal of the GCF; and
- 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”,
- Affirms that the fourteenth meeting of the Board will take place from Tuesday, 18 October 2016, to Thursday, 20 October 2016;
- Decides that the fourteenth meeting of the Board will take place in Quito, Ecuador, as suggested by the host country; and
- 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”:
- Approves the terms of reference for the review of observer participation, as contained in annex I to this document; and
- 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”,
- 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”,
- Appoints the following four private sector representatives from developing countries to the Private Sector Advisory Group:
- Mr. Dipal Chandra Barua;
- Mr. Rodrigo Violic;
- Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa; and
- Mr. Kevin Whitfield;
- Also appoints the following four private sector representatives from developed countries to the Private Sector Advisory Group:
- Mr. David Bresch;
- Mr. Jay Koh;
- Mr. Torben Möger Pedersen; and
- Mr. Hiroyuki Tezuka;
- Further appoints Mr. Aurelio Souza as a civil society representative from developing countries to the Private Sector Advisory Group; and
- 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”,
- Endorses the nomination by the Investment Committee of the following experts of the independent Technical Advisory Panel (the Panel) for one term:
- Mr. Felix Dayo (Nigeria);
- Ms. Marina Shvangiradze (Georgia); and
- Mr. Daniel Nolasco (Canada/Argentina);
- 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;
- 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;
- 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);
- 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
- 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”,
- Approves the Work Plan of the Board for 2016, as set out in annex II to document GCF/B.12/03/Rev.01; and
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to update the Work Plan following each meeting of the Board.
The Board,
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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.
The Board,
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to consult with Board members and alternate Board members on the establishment of an Appointment Committee as a standing committee of the Board and to present, for consideration by Board, the outcomes of their consultations no later than the fifteenth meeting of the Board; and
- Requests the Co‐Chairs with the support of the Secretariat to summarize the outcome of their consultations and to propose a draft decision in a written report to be transmitted to the Board in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Board.
The Board,
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to undertake consultations with the Board on the first formal replenishment process of the Green Climate Fund, and present a report on the outcomes of these consultations to the Board no later than its fourteenth meeting;
- Also requests the Co‐Chairs to present their initial observations on the first formal replenishment process at the thirteenth meeting of the Board;
- Further requests the Secretariat to support the Co‐Chairs to prepare documentation related to the design and development of the first formal replenishment process; and
- Requests the Secretariat to support the Co‐Chairs to summarize the outcome of their consultations and to propose a draft decision in a written report to be transmitted to the Board in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Board.
The Board, having considered the views of Board members contained in the document titled “Compilation of submissions ‐ simplified processes for approval of proposals for certain activities, in particular small‐scale activities”,1
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to consult the Board with a view to presenting for consideration and adoption by the Board, the outcome of their consultations related to simplified processes for the approval of proposals for certain activities, in particular small‐scale activities, at its thirteenth meeting;
- Also requests the Secretariat to support the Co‐Chairs in the preparation of the documentation related to the consideration by the Board of a simplified approval process; and
- Requests the Secretariat to support the Co‐Chairs to summarize the outcome of their consultations and to propose a draft decision in a written report to be transmitted to the Board in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Board.
The Board,
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to consult with a view to presenting, for consideration by the Board, further options for decision‐making in the absence of consensus no later than its fifteenth meeting; and
- Requests the Co‐Chairs with the support of the Secretariat to summarize the outcome of their consultations and to propose a draft decision in a written report to be transmitted to the Board in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Board.
The Board,
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to consult with a view to presenting, for consideration by the Board, matters related to the guidelines to determine in which cases decisions may be taken without a Board meeting, no later than its fifteenth meeting; and
- Requests the Co‐Chairs with the support of the Secretariat to summarize the outcome of their consultations and to propose a draft decision in a written report to be transmitted to the Board in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Board.
The Board,
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to consult with a view to presenting, for consideration by the Board, the Travel policy of the Fund no later than its fourteenth meeting; and
- Requests the Co‐Chairs with the support of the Secretariat to summarize the outcome of their consultations and to propose a draft decision in a written report to be transmitted to the Board in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Board.
The Board,
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to consult with fellow Board members and alternate Board members, active observers and accredited observer organizations in relation to the comprehensive review of the participation of observers in the activities of the Board, with a view to presenting, for consideration by the Board, the terms of reference for this review no later than the thirteenth meeting of the Board;
- Invites observer organizations to submit to the Secretariat views on the terms of reference for the review by 10 April 2016;
- Requests the Secretariat to support the Co‐Chairs in the preparation of the terms of reference and to undertake the review for consideration by the Board at its fifteenth meeting; and
- Requests the Co‐Chairs with the support of the Secretariat to summarize the outcome of their consultations and to propose a draft decision in a written report to be transmitted to the Board in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Board.
The Board,
- Decides to defer the annual review of financial terms and conditions to its sixteenth meeting, which will be held in 2017; and
- Requests the Investment Committee to provide the draft terms of reference for the annual review for consideration by the Board at its fifteenth meeting.
The Board,
- Decides to review the gender policy and gender action plan at its fifteenth meeting, which will be held in December 2016; and
- Requests the Secretariat to provide the draft terms of reference of the review for consideration by the Board at its thirteenth meeting.
The Board,
- Decides to defer its consideration of the policy regarding the cases in which the high‐level concessional terms and the low‐level concessional terms for public sector proposal will apply, no later than its sixteenth meeting, which will be held in 2017, noting that in the interim they will be applied on a case‐by‐case basis per decision B.09/04 and annex III to decision B.05/07;
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to consult with Board members and alternateBoard members, the Risk Management Committee, the Investment Committee and external stakeholders, including accredited entities, in order to provide a recommendation based on lessons learned from the current application of financial terms and conditions, to the extent available, and in line with the set of guiding principles and factors for determining terms of financial instruments as outlined in annex III to decision B.05/07, for consideration by the Board at its fifteenth meeting; and
- Requests the Co‐Chairs with the support of the Secretariat to summarize the outcome of their consultations and to propose a draft decision in a written report to be transmitted to the Board in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Board.
The Board,
Decides to defer the annual scaling review till 2017 and requests the Co‐Chairs to include this matter in the Work Plan for 2017.
The Board, having considered document GCF/B.12/16 titled “Performance review of the Executive Director, report from the Executive Director Performance Review Committee”,
Takes note of the documents titled “Summary report of the performance review of the Executive Director of the independent Secretariat of the Green Climate Fund”, “Lessons learned through the Executive Director performance review”, “360 degree feedback Report conducted by the independent firm” and “Executive Director self‐assessment (July 2013 to end‐December 2015)” shared as confidential documents with Board members and alternate Board members on the grounds that these documents contain personal information.
The Board, having considered document GCF/B.12/06 titled “Report on the development of the draft Strategic Plan for the Green Climate Fund: Submission from the ad hoc group of Board/Alternate members”,
- Endorses the Strategic Plan for the Green Climate Fund, which is a living document, as contained in annex I, as the initial GCF Strategic Plan to guide the Board in addressing policy gaps and programming the Fund’s resources of the Initial Resource Mobilization period between 2015 and 2018 and to invest the Fund’s resources in transformational climate actions in a country‐driven manner;
- Resolves to swiftly implement the Strategic Plan in order to meet the Board’s aspirational approvals target for 2016 and to scale up the Fund’s investments in ambitious climate action;
- Requests the Secretariat, under the Co‐Chairs’ guidance, to integrate the operational priorities and action plan included in the Strategic Plan in the Work Plan for 2016, and subsequent Work Plans;
- Requests the Secretariat to take all steps necessary to implement the action plan in a gender‐responsive manner, and report at each Board meeting on progress achieved;
- Notes that the implementation of the operational priorities and action plan will be guided by the Governing Instrument for the GCF, including the objective and principles laid out therein;
- Requests the committees, panels and groups of the Board to include the actions outlined in the Strategic Plan in their respective deliberations and work programmes, as appropriate, throughout the Initial Resource Mobilization period, and to present these work programmes for consideration at the thirteenth meeting of the Board;
- Acknowledges that the strategic priority matters as expressed by Board members during the discussion at the twelfth meeting of the Board, which will be recorded, will be considered in the course of the implementation of the Strategic Plan, and urges the Co‐ Chairs, committees, groups and panels, and the Secretariat to consider these matters;
- Welcomes the decision reached at the twenty‐first session of the Conference of the Parties that the GCF, as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the Convention, will serve the Paris Agreement;
- Requests the Secretariat to present, for consideration by the Board at its thirteenth meeting , a proposal on how the Fund could support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and related decisions of the Conference of the Parties; and
- Decides to review the Fund’s Strategic Plan as part of each replenishment process with a view to revising the strategic vision, if and as needed, and to update the core operational priorities and underlying action plan for the coming replenishment cycle, taking into account evolving priorities, including guidance from the Conference of the Parties and relevant reports from the independent evaluation unit.
The Board,
- Takes note of the report of the Accreditation Committee on its progress to develop a strategy on accreditation, as contained in annex II; and
- Decides to defer its consideration of the strategy on accreditation to the thirteenth meeting of the Board.
The Board, having reviewed the proposition of the Executive Director Selection Committee,
- Notes the decision of the Executive Director to complete her current term in office, and not to seek an appointment for the second term at the end of the three‐year term;
- Acknowledges with appreciation the contributions of the Executive Director to the establishment of the Fund’s Secretariat at its headquarters in Songdo, Republic of Korea, and the operationalization of the Fund, including the significant role of the Executive Director in the Initial Resource Mobilization process; and looks forward to working with the Executive Director until the completion of her term;
- Requests the Co‐Chairs to agree a set of objectives with the Executive Director to cover the remainder of the term, and to share them with the Board;
- Establishes the ad hoc Executive Director Selection Committee as an ad hoc committee of the Board in accordance with paragraphs 2(g) and 30 of the Rules of Procedure of the Board;
- Adopts the terms of reference of the Executive Director Selection Committee as set out in annex III;
- Requests the Executive Director Selection Committee to develop a performance framework for the Executive Director;
- Appoints as members of the Executive Director Selection Committee:
- Mr. Omar El‐Arini;
- Mr. Anton Hilber;
- Ms. Caroline Leclerc;
- Mr. Leonardo Martinez‐Diaz;
- Mr. Jorge Ferrer Rodriguez; and
- Mr. Ayman Shasly;
- Adopts the updated terms of reference of the Executive Director as set out in annex IV;
- Adopts the selection process for the Executive Director as set out in annex V;
- Takes note of the indicative timeline of the entire process for the appointment of the Executive Director as set out in annex VI;
- Decides to engage the services of an independent executive search firm to support the Executive Director Selection Committee;
- Endorses the terms of reference of the independent executive search firm as set out in annex VII; and
- Approves a budget increment for 2016 for the selection of the Executive Director, including the costs of the independent executive search firm as set out in an annex, which has been shared as limited distribution.
The Board,
- Requests the Secretariat to review the initial proposal approval process taking into account the views expressed at the twelfth meeting of the Board, and to present, for consideration by the Board at its fifteenth meeting, the outcome and recommendations from the review; and
- Invites submissions, no later than 10 April 2016, from Board and alternate Board members, observers, accredited entities, national designated authorities/focal points, and delivery partners, in relation to the review and in accordance with decision B.11/11, paragraph (j), as well as paragraphs (c) and (d).
The Board, having considered document GCF/B.12/Inf.06/Add.02 titled “Progress and outlook report of the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme – addendum project preparation funding application”,
- Takes note of the project preparation funding application for the Rural Green Economy and Climate Resilient Development Programme (by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Rwanda), as contained in document GCF/B.12/Inf.06/Add.02;
- Also takes note of the assessment of the Secretariat in accordance with decision B.11/11, paragraph (l); and
- Approves the amount of USD 1.5 million in grants for the project preparation of the programme titled “Rural Green Economy and Climate Resilient Development Programme”, submitted by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Rwanda.
The Board,
- Requests the Secretariat to present a document, taking into consideration the views expressed by the Board at its twelfth meeting, on matters related to the scope and functioning of the Project Preparation Facility, for consideration and adoption by the Board at its thirteenth meeting; and
- Notes that the Board will consider applications under the Project Preparation Facility once the guidelines are adopted.
The Board,
Decides to defer its consideration of the Communication strategy of the Fund to the thirteenth meeting of the Board.
The Board having considered document GCF/B.12/15 titled “Revised administrative budget and staffing of the Secretariat for 2016”,
- Notes that the current workload is being carried out by a complement of 56 regular Secretariat staff and approximately 33 long‐term consultants, and acknowledges that this situation is unsustainable and should be addressed as a priority;
- Further notes the need to increase the number of regular staff in the Secretariat to an approximate total of 100 by the end of 2016 and to further increase to a total of approximately 140 by the end of 2017, taking into consideration the ability of the Secretariat to recruit and absorb the increasing staff numbers, following the appropriate processes;
- Requests the Secretariat to consider filling new positions with internal candidates where appropriate, on a priority basis;
- Approves the following amounts additional to the approved administrative budget in decision B.11/08:
- USD 4,351,993 for staffing;
- USD 1,562,855 in ancillary non‐staff costs; and
- USD 772,640 for the administrative budget of the Board;
- Notes that now the total administrative budget for 2016 will be USD 35,844,715, and takes note of the budgetary implications for future years;
- Recognizes the need for further guidance from the Board on some of the Secretariat’s functions, inter alia, the appropriate level of due diligence for project proposals, and rationalization and streamlining of processes;
- Requests the Secretariat to provide a revised version of the annual presentation of the staffing structure to inform the Budget Committee, in its review and recommendations on budget implications for 2017 and 2018, by the thirteenth meeting of the Board;
- Also requests the Budget Committee to consult with the Secretariat and make recommendations on the administrative budgets for 2017 and 2018 by the fourteenth meeting of the Board;
- Authorizes the Secretariat to enter into contractual obligations, from the approved budget, to ensure the continuation of the operations of the Fund beyond the current financial period; and
- Agrees that for new decisions with additional budgetary implications, which may be taken at future Board meetings, the corresponding amounts will be considered by the Board to be added to the approved administrative budget.
The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.12/14 titled “Status of the Initial Resource Mobilization process”,
- Endorses that contributions pledged within, as part of, the Initial Resource Mobilization period, may be paid up to and including 2020; and
- Also endorses (i) the terms specified in paragraph 6.4, and (ii) the payment schedule specified in paragraph 6.3 of the contribution agreement among the Kingdom of Spain, the Green Climate Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, serving as the Interim Trustee of the Green Climate Fund Trust Fund, dated 6 January 2016 as contained in annex VIII.
The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.12/12 titled “Status of the Initial Resource Mobilization process: loan agreement/arrangement”,
- Confirms the terms of the Loan Arrangement among the Government of Canada, the Green Climate Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, serving as the Interim Trustee of the Green Climate Fund Trust Fund, dated 9 December 2015 as contained in annex IX; and
- Also confirms the terms of the Loan Agreement among Agence Française de Développement, acting on behalf and at the risk of the French Government, the Green Climate Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, serving as the Interim Trustee of the Green Climate Fund Trust Fund, dated 9 December 2015 as contained in annex X.