Earth Observation technologies for improved access to climate finance: the role of data and information

This is a discussion paper launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat under the CommonSensing Project to enhance a nascent, yet important, conversation that is taking place around the world. Climate-vulnerable and developing countries struggle to access climate finance to implement climate action. The paper explores whether the use of Earth Observation data increase the quality of climate finance proposals and unlock these much-needed funds.

CommonSensing is an innovative project that is assisting the Commonwealth Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in making these data and information readily accessible, along with the capacity building for technical staff of national government agencies in utilising the geospatial-based CommonSensing platform for developing bankable climate finance proposals. The provision of data and technical assistance to support the design of evidenced-based climate change proposals with concrete justifications can enhance access to climate finance. Improved use of data can contribute to turning country priorities and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments into climate finance investment plans and projects, thereby addressing the financing gap where the implementation of many NDCs is conditional on external financing being received.