Castries, Saint Lucia – September 24, 2025 – The Government of Saint Lucia has launched an innovative Climate Finance Unit (CFU) to help attract more funding for climate change interventions in the country. The Unit has been set up through a collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) with funding from the NDC Partnership Action Fund (PAF). 

Designed as the national coordinating entity to mobilize, access, manage, monitor, and report on climate finance, the CFU aims to ensure financial resources are directed toward priority projects that enhance climate resilience, promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, strengthen disaster risk reduction, and advance sustainable agriculture.   

Saint Lucia’s Minister within the Ministry of Finance Honorable Wayne D. Girard said, “the establishment of the Climate Finance Unit represents a major step forward in our national efforts to tackle climate change. By coordinating resources and investments more effectively, we can ensure that Saint Lucia is better prepared for future climate impacts, while supporting sustainable development and resilience for our communities.” 

By securing increase funding for climate-related projects, Saint Lucia is advancing efforts to cope with climate impacts, reduce future risks, and improve the country’s capacity to recover more quickly and effectively. In this regard, the CFU will also work closely with government ministries, private sector stakeholders, and community groups to ensure that climate finance is strategically directed toward impactful initiatives  

GGGI’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Ferruccio Santetti said, “GGGI is proud to support Saint Lucia in strengthening its climate finance architecture. The Climate Finance Unit will play a pivotal role in mobilizing and managing resources, enabling the country to implement projects that boost the country’s climate-resilience and achieve its green growth ambitions. “ 

Key next steps to operationalize the unit include the recruitment of staff and technical experts, the development of frameworks for accessing, monitoring, and reporting on climate finance flows, and the rollout of a pipeline of priority projects to be presented to regional and international partners for funding. 

The launch of the CFU responds to the mounting climate threats Saint Lucia faces, including from stronger and more frequent storms, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and impacts on agriculture and water resources. Historical events such as Hurricane Allen (1980), Hurricane Tomas (2010), the Christmas Eve Trough (2013), and the Corinth flooding in 2022 have caused significant infrastructure damage, and major economic losses, reinforcing the need for sustained financial support. Recognizing this critical priority, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the CFU’s establishment in March 2025 with a clear mandate to “increase the acquisition of financial resources from domestic, regional and international sources to finance climate change-related initiatives in Saint Lucia.” 

About the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)    

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was founded as a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. GGGI supports its Member States in transitioning their economies toward a green growth model that simultaneously achieves poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. With 52 Member States and 30 Partner countries and regional integration organizations in the process of accession, GGGI delivers programs and projects in over 57 countries. These initiatives encompass developing innovative green growth solutions, technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and assistance in building a pipeline of bankable green investment projects, project financing, investments, and knowledge sharing. GGGI’s work contributes to its Member States’ efforts to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals and the Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.   

Media Contact:  

Ravena Gildharie

Communication and Knowledge Sharing Regional Senior Associate 

GGGI Caribbean   

ravena.gildharie@gggi.org