Social protection is a powerful tool for delivering inclusive climate action, particularly in rural areas of low-income countries. This briefing paper presents the findings of a review of social protection for rural populations within the Green Climate Fund (GCF) portfolio. This analysis of 23 GCF-funded projects outlines both promising approaches and key challenges. Building on these insights, GCF should scale up the use of social protection, enhancing gender and inclusion efforts, strengthening long-term system building and cross-sectoral coordination, and fostering global partnerships for financing and knowledge-sharing. Through these efforts, GCF can play a pivotal role in ensuring climate finance reaches the most vulnerable, driving sustainable, inclusive, and just climate action.