The Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC) was launched at COP28 on December 4th, 2023, located in ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital. Its conception and creation was made in partnership with key institutions - ADGM, ADQ, BlackRock, CIFF, GFANZ, HSBC, Masdar, Ninety One, and the World Bank - with the aim to transform global climate finance and position the UAE as a premier hub for climate investment.
GCFC mobilizes climate investment by acting as a platform to implement and drive accountability for key COP28 initiatives. We focus on building a fully fleshed UAE climate finance ecosystem connecting global capital to green and transition projects in emerging and developing markets, where financing gaps are most critical. By partnering with governments, financial institutions, private investors and philanthropic capital, GCFC promotes scalable solutions through targeted de-risking strategies, robust transition finance mechanisms, and high-integrity carbon markets to ensure measurable outcomes.
The Center will act as a hub for Climate Finance. We want it to be seen as the nucleus of change. We want this hub to be activated, equipped and fully capitalized by like-minded partners. We need to create critical mass of expertise in this space stemming out of the positive energy from COP28.
GCFC’s strategy is structured around three core pillars, each addressing specific objectives to drive climate finance innovation and collaboration.
Research, policy, and innovation
Developing a transaction-driven approach to climate finance, conducting targeted analyses, and providing actionable recommendations that enhance financial regulations and market design.
Strategic partnerships
We facilitate meaningful climate finance outcomes by bridging public and private sector efforts. We focus on building transparency and fostering collaboration to strengthen a pipeline of bankable opportunities.
Executive training programs
Support the creation of a world class workforce in the UAE and empower regions with limited infrastructure, ensuring they can fully participate and harness the opportunity of the economic transition.
GCFC hosts the secretariat for several major COP28 initiatives:
The Global Climate Finance Framework is an overarching vision that aims to transform the narrative around climate finance, by framing investments in climate action as the unprecedented opportunity for economic growth and shared prosperity, through a set of ten principles endorsed by 15 countries representing 40% of the world’s GDP. This framework engages global forums such as G7, G20, COP, and BRICS to ensure climate finance commitments are met, tracked, and reported annually.
The Africa Green Investment Initiative (AGII) aims to deploy USD 4.5 billion in clean power projects across Africa by 2030. Key partners include Masdar, AMEA Power, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Etihad Credit Insurance and Africa50.
The Innovate for Climate-Tech Coalition (I4C) accelerates climate-tech solutions in the Global South. With over 50 members, including Microsoft and Schneider Electric, I4C drives climate-tech deployment across EMDCs.
Abu Dhabi is a premier international business destination where financial innovation connects with capital. Its strategic location means it is the ideal gateway to connect global markets, and its strong and stable economy supports long-term sustainable growth.
Located in the city’s International Financial Centre, ADGM, the GCFC will benefit from ADGM’s regulatory system, its progressive sustainable finance framework and familiar legal framework that provides trust, transparency, and accountability.
The GCFC builds on an existing established platform through initiatives such as the Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG), and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration which has been signed by more than 100 entities in the region. Banking partners who have established a presence in Abu Dhabi include the World Bank and, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Join the forefront of leaders unlocking the opportunity in climate finance with the Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC), and be a part of its mission to transform financial markets to make climate finance available, accessible and affordable.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre, ADGM, the GCFC is an independent, private-sector focused catalyst for climate solutions. Established at COP28, the Centre is supported by Founding Members ADGM, ADQ, BlackRock, CIFF, GFANZ, HSBC, Masdar, NinetyOne and the World Bank, and its purpose is to accelerate the positive transformation of the Climate Finance ecosystems both at the national and the global level. It does so by providing practical research, convening partnerships, and delivering capacity building to policymakers, regulators, project developers and financial institutions in the UAE and beyond.
If you’re passionate about making a difference in climate finance and driving positive impact on a regional and global scale, explore the latest career opportunities with the GCFC.