On 6 January 2026, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) released a new publication titled Innovative Approaches to Accessing and Scaling All Sources of Adaptation Finance in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs): A Compendium of Promising Case Studies. The compendium highlights practical, country-driven solutions aimed at addressing persistent challenges in adaptation finance.
Adaptation finance for SIDS and LDCs remains far below what is needed to meet the growing impacts of climate change. While public finance is stagnating or declining, emerging private finance flows are difficult to access and often fail to reach the communities most exposed to climate risks. Climate-vulnerable countries have called for a finance system that is faster, fairer, and more responsive to both national and local priorities. In response, the compendium, developed by the Climate and Development Ministerial (C&DM) secretariat with support from SouthSouthNorth, showcases innovative, scalable, and country-led approaches from across LDCs and SIDS. It highlights four illustrative cases that demonstrate practical methods for easing access to adaptation finance and scaling resources, particularly advancing C&DM Goal 2 (easing access) and Goal 3 (scaling finance).
The featured cases collectively illustrate what workable, country-led solutions can look like in practice, while also identifying persistent bottlenecks that highlight the need for broader, system-level reform. By documenting lessons learned and promising approaches, including those from the Adaptation Fund’s Locally Led Adaptation Funding Windows, the compendium provides a foundation for peer learning among countries and fund providers. It also contributes to global discussions on how to make adaptation finance more equitable, effective, and aligned with country priorities.
