Australia takes leadership role in global climate fund
27 August, 2012
Co-chair of the new Green Climate Fund Board, AusAID Deputy Director General Ewen McDonald. Photo: AusAID
AusAID Deputy Director General Ewen McDonald is deeply committed to improving the lives of people in developing countries as they tackle the major challenges posed by climate change.
His recent appointment as Co-Chair of the Green Climate Fund Board places him at the forefront of the global community’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote climate-resilient development.
The fund was established following the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, where participating nations pledged to help developing countries adapt to changing climate conditions and move towards low-carbon economic growth.
The purpose of the fund is to make a significant and ambitious contribution to the global efforts to combat climate change.
Funded by private and public sector investments, the scale of the Green Climate Fund means it can deliver climate finance with greater efficiency.
It enables developing countries to more simply and directly access climate change funding when and where it is needed.
'By facilitating investments from public and private sources, the fund will help developing countries take action on climate change and grow their economies in a sustainable way, which will benefit millions of people around the world,' Mr McDonald said.
The Green Climate Fund Board met for the first time last week to lay the foundations for the operationalisation of the fund.
Mr McDonald has been appointed to the Board for three years and elected as Co-Chair for the first year. Mr McDonald will Co-Chair with Zaheer Fakir, Acting Deputy Director-General, International Cooperation and Relations, Department of Environmental Affairs, Republic of South Africa.
During its first year of operations, the Board will consider issues such as the permanent location of the fund, effective participation of observers (including civil society and private sector), the formation of its secretariat and how to leverage private sector action on climate change.
Mr McDonald, who will continue in his role as head of AusAID’s Humanitarian and International Group, said he looks forward to working with Mr Fakir and other partners on this important global project.
Last Reviewed: 27 August, 2012