Jordan has progressed significantly in the Middle East in their policy framework for climate change. In recent years they have updated their National Climate Policy and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and developed a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and National Green Growth Plan among others. What the country lacks are the financial resources to implement its national priorities, technical expertise of public sector in accessing climate finance, funding-ready proposals, and consistent and structured private sector engagement in climate policy, investment generation, and implementation.

Under previously completed readiness projects, initial progress was made in the areas of capacity building, pipeline development, and private sector engagement. The readiness projects (via UNEP and GGGI) were designed to strengthen the capacity of the National Designated Authority (NDA) to access climate finance from the GCF and other sources by establishing a country program and No-Objection procedures (UNEP); enhance access to climate finance by supporting the accreditation of a Direct Access Entity (DAE), enhance country ownership of a project pipeline through concept note development, and increase private sector awareness of GCF (GGGI).

This readiness proposal seeks to improve Jordan’s access to climate finance and overcome the barriers highlighted above through the following interventions aimed at three GCF readiness outcomes:

Outcome 1.1 Country NDAs or focal points and the network/ systems that enable them to fulfil their roles, responsibilities and policy requirements are operational and effective.

• Output 1.1 NCCC engagement mechanism updated and operationalized to improve its effectiveness for NDC and NAP implementation.

Outcome 1.2: Direct access applicants and accredited entities (DAEs) have established capacity to meet and maintain the GCF’s accreditation standards; and accredited DAEs have the capacity to develop a pipeline of projects and effectively implement GCF-funded activities.

• Output 1.2 Capacity of CVDB built and accreditation application advanced.

Outcome 2.2: GCF recipient countries have developed or enhanced strategic frameworks to address policy gaps, improve sectoral expertise, and enhance enabling environments for GCF programming in low-emission investment.

• Output 2.2 National Climate Finance Policy validated by necessary stakeholders and submitted to Cabinet for endorsement.

Outcome 2.4: Strategies for transforming and attracting private sector investment for low emissions and resilience developed and being used.

• Output 2.4 A public-private engagement mechanism institutionalized for attracting private investment for climate activities.

Outcome 4.1 An increase in the number of quality project concept notes developed and submitted.

• Jordan’s project pipeline strengthened with 2 high quality SAP CNs that support NDC/NAP implementation.

I. Capacity Building –This workstream will further support the operationalization of the NCCC and review of the bylaw which due to lack of technical resources and competing ministerial priorities requires assistance to convene regularly and carry out its mandate; provide additional capacity building to the NDA and NCCC, which due to a lack of technical expertise, has requested more support on climate concepts, project evaluation, and monitoring due to the increased national focus on climate change (i.e., next 2 COPs being held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region). It will also provide additional support to CVDB on accreditation and building its institutional capacity to meet GCF criteria. The lack of DAE technical capacity and resources to address GCF comments remains a challenge for CVDB, and this proposal aims to alleviate those challenges and support CVDB in gaining GCF accreditation.

II. Strategic Frameworks – Currently, financing of the country’s climate priorities is limited to development partners and some private sector actors in the renewable energy sector, which is insufficient to achieve NDC targets and implement NAP measures. Lack of buy-in at the ministerial level and high national debt are key barriers to public financing of climate priorities. This workstream will support the validation and adoption of a National Climate Finance policy (draft developed under the readiness project currently under implementation). Further this outcome will consolidate the gains made under previous readiness proposals with the regard to private sector engagement (i.e., private sector round tables), by formalizing the engagement mechanism with a terms of reference and work plan as well as create a roadmap for private sector actors who are interested in climate investment.

III. Pipeline Development – This workstream will enhance two existing selected concept notes to ensure they meet all GCF investment criteria by addressing GCF comments from GCF’s technical review team. These concepts are planned for CVDB to strengthen in parallel as they finalize their accreditation process.
All trainings or workshops will include women, targeted private sector stakeholders, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to support gender mainstreaming, and foster increased dialogue, and knowledge transfer in climate action.
The primary project beneficiaries are the NDA, NCCC, CVDB and the private sector. The secondary project beneficiaries are the line ministries, CSOs, etc. involved in readiness activities as appropriate. Their knowledge and capacity on climate finance will be improved, creating the foundation for sustainable climate action in Jordan.

Jordan Country Office
Address: Ministry of Environment, King Faisal Bin Abd Al Aziz St 83, Um Uthaina, Amman, Jordan

For further information and queries, please contact on: infojordan@gggi.org