During the 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP29), held November 11-22, USAID announced multiple initiatives and progress on commitments to advance efforts to combat the climate crisis, including:
Blended Finance Partnerships
USAID announced $53.7 million to drive private finance into hard-to-reach geographies and sectors. USAID aims to catalyze investments in adaptation and resilience, natural climate solutions, and local businesses and finance institutions from Colombia to Cambodia.
Early Warnings for All
Since 2022, USAID has provided an additional $50 million to support the Early Warning for All initiative through the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), bringing the total funding to $83 million. Along with partners, USAID’s assistance expanded flood and flash flood early warning system implementation in more than 30 countries.
Climate Smart and Disaster Ready
USAID announced $11.8 million for the Climate Smart and Disaster Ready program in West Africa, Central America, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands to support innovative and applicable adaptation solutions in communities at greatest risk to climate related disasters, bringing total funding to $16.2 million.
Green Energy Transition Across Asia
USAID launched the U.S.-India Low Carbon Comfort Cooling Collective, which aims to decrease stress on electricity networks and lower the cost and carbon emissions of cooling solutions in the face of intensifying extreme heat. USAID is also supporting the first early retirement of a coal-fired power plant in Indonesia under the Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership, and supporting development of the recently approved Direct Power Purchase Agreement in Vietnam, which will allow businesses to power their operations with up to 100 percent renewable energy for the first time.
USAID and NASA Announce the Launch of a SERVIR Central America Hub
Working with Congress, USAID announced an initial $6.6 million investment for a new Central America Hub for SERVIR, which will launch in early December. SERVIR is the flagship USAID-NASA partnership through PREPARE. The new Central America Hub will develop Earth observation based tools and services jointly with key stakeholders across the region, helping Central Americans prepare for and manage climate-related risks and environmental challenges such as drought and wildfire.
Power Africa Partners with Investment Mobilization Collaboration Alliance
Working with Congress, Power Africa announced an initial commitment of up to $10 million over two years for the Investment Mobilization Collaboration Alliance’s Green Value Chains in Africa funding window. As part of the joint collaboration with Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway, this investment will improve critical minerals value chains and increase access to and use of clean energy to advance industrialization across Africa.
Women’s Leadership in Climate Action
USAID committed $10.8 million to champion women as decision-makers, stakeholders, educators, and experts in responding to the climate crisis – including through economic leadership.
For more detailed information on all of USAID’s announcements at COP29, see this fact sheet or visit usaid.gov/climate/cop29.