By Juan Carlos Pereira (CFC-GS/UFPA)
Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) play a central role in climate finance, acting as strategic intermediaries between international commitments and the concrete implementation of climate policies in developing countries. These institutions not only provide financial resources for climate change mitigation and adaptation actions, but also contribute to risk reduction, project structuring, and strengthening national institutional capacities.
In the context of COP 30, Multilateral Development Banks reaffirmed their strategic role in addressing climate change by announcing new initiatives aimed at strengthening climate adaptation in developing countries. Among the main actions announced was the preparation of a technical report presenting metrics, methodologies, and guidelines aimed at improving the application of financial resources, as well as identifying institutional and operational barriers that hinder the implementation of adaptation projects.
At the same time, additional funding was announced for the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), with an initial contribution of approximately US$ 100 million from Germany and Spain, directed to the ARISE program, which aims to increase economic and social resilience in the face of climate impacts. This financing seeks to support initiatives capable of anticipating risks and reducing vulnerabilities before extreme events such as floods, droughts, and storms occur, as highlighted by representatives of the MDBs themselves and the United Nations.
In addition, one of the highlighted innovations was the introduction of so-called Climate Resilient Debt Clauses, a mechanism that allows for the temporary suspension of principal debt payments in disaster situations, reducing the fiscal pressure on affected countries (IDB). In addition, IDB Invest announced programs aimed at the private sector, focused on protecting investments against climate shocks, with the goal of stimulating continued investment in strategic areas such as agribusiness, infrastructure, energy, and tourism.
In recent years, MDBs have consistently increased the volume of resources allocated to adaptation, reaching tens of billions of dollars annually and setting even higher targets for 2030, both in terms of direct financing and private capital mobilization. However, structural challenges persist, such as fiscal constraints on states, difficulties in project preparation, and low attractiveness to the private sector.
Given this scenario, the banks advocate strengthening coordination between public policies, more strategic use of concessional resources, and the conversion of climate strategies into financially viable projects, reinforcing the central role of Multilateral Development Banks in financing climate adaptation within the scope of the negotiations and commitments made at COP 30.
References
BANCO INTERAMERICANO DE DESENVOLVIMENTO (BID). Bancos Multilaterais de Desenvolvimento se unem na COP30 em chamado à ação pela resiliência e resultados. Belém: BID, 10 nov. 2025. Disponível em: https://www.iadb.org/pt-br/noticias/bancos-multilaterais-de-desenvolvimento-se-unem-na-cop30-em-chamado-acao-pela-resiliencia-e. Acesso em: 31 jan. 2026.
MARQUES, Laura. Bancos multilaterais de desenvolvimento anunciam medidas para acelerar adaptação à mudança do clima. COP30 Brasil, 10 nov. 2025. Disponível em: https://cop30.br/pt-br/noticias-da-cop30/bancos-multilaterais-de-desenvolvimento-anunciam-medidas-para-acelerar-adaptacao-a-mudanca-do-clima. Acesso em: 31 jan. 2026.
