SDG-Climate Facility: Climate Action for Human Security

A person in a straw hat sorts colorful coffee cherries on a green mat outdoors.

SDG-Climate Facility: Climate Action for Human Security

The SDG Climate Facility project brings together regional and international partners to tackle the combined challenges of climate change and human security across the Arab States. Focused on building resilience, this initiative supports countries as they prepare for climate impacts that threaten communities and livelihoods. By working with partners at every level, the project aims to strengthen local responses to climate risks, expand access to climate funding, and support innovative solutions that promote sustainable development aligned with global goals.

What we do

The SDG Climate Facility helps communities in the Arab region become more resilient to climate change by connecting climate action with security and development needs. Through research, practical tools, and funding opportunities, the project empowers local institutions and businesses to implement climate solutions that protect people and build stronger communities. From promoting access to climate finance to supporting projects that create sustainable jobs and reduce conflict risks, the Facility is making a difference across the region.

The SDG Climate Facility has implemented impactful initiatives across the Arab States, enhancing climate resilience and human security:

Yemen: In Lahj, a waste-to-energy plant transforms up to 5 tonnes of waste daily, generating 100 kWh of electricity and 1 tonne of plastic granules. This facility powers 100 commercial shops and has created approximately 7,500 jobs for vulnerable individuals in rural areas.
Palestine: Two centralized solar PV plants in Arrabah and Qabalan provide renewable energy to local communities. The 1 MW plant in Arrabah benefits around 12,356 people, while the 1.65 MW plant in Qabalan serves approximately 8,771 individuals. These installations have catalyzed $2.35 million in private sector investment.
Jordan: In Mafraq and Jerash, 18 water innovation pilots have been implemented, directly benefiting 1,306 individuals and indirectly impacting 13,620 people, including 24% women and 63% youth.

The project aims to address two main priorities in the region

To promote more integrated solutions for climate action that brings benefits across SDGs and for crisis prevention/recovery goals.

To scale up local partnerships and finance to this end. Through a combination of regional dialogues and technical assistance at the regional level, and innovation grants at the country level.

Country resilience grants

Man wearing a beanie and safety vest working on solar panel wiring outdoors.

Renewable energy solutions for climate security in protracted crisis in Yemen

The pilot aims to enhance the climate security of vulnerable and marginalized communities in Yemen by demonstrating innovative off-grid waste-to-energy (WtE) models that create jobs and enhance livelihoods while providing sustainable energy supply from treatment of local waste.

More about the grant

A man in a straw hat harvests fruit from a lush green tree.

Qat-to-coffee for climate resilience and human security in Yemen:

The objective of the pilot is to promote sustainable coffee production and value chains in Yemen as a high value crop alternative to unsustainable qat production, reduce groundwater exploitation, enhance livelihood opportunities, and empower women

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Fostering renewable energy access for climate security in Palestine

The objective of the pilot is to develop, finance, and apply integrated solutions for climate-secure clean energy in marginalized communities to kickstart socio-economic recovery and mitigate social instability at the local level in Palestine.

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Building climate security in Egypt’s rural north coast

The objective of the pilot is to enhance climate security among rural communities in the north coastal strip of Egypt’s Nile Delta by increasing and diversifying employment opportunities and income sources for women and youth and enhancing climate resilience of agricultural and aquaculture practices

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Climate action for human security in Iraq’s Al-Hawizeh marshlands

The objective of the pilot is to enhance climate security among returning internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the Al-Hawizeh marshes.

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Scaling up water innovation for climate security in northern Jordan

The objective of the pilot is to identify and nurture innovative water security entrepreneurs and SMEs in northern Jordan.

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Planning and financing climate-secure city development in Tunisia

The objective of the pilot is to support sustainable, climate-secure urban planning and financing environments in Tunisia by developing solutions for more inclusive, integrated urban planning that is evidence based and climate-risk informed for the city of Kairouan

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Our Team 

Benjamin Basmaci, Regional Climate Specialist

Partners 

The SDG Climate Facility is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and UNDP, with essential support from the League of Arab States (LAS) and the Arab Water Council (AWC), who help coordinate regional efforts. Our UN partners—UNDP, UNEP-FI, UN-Habitat, UNDRR, and WFP—contribute their specialized expertise, whether it’s climate adaptation, urban planning, disaster resilience, or food security.

Project numbers

22,933

The SDG Climate Facility Project Beneficiaries in Palestine, Yemen, and Jordan through the resilience grants

9,545,415

USD

The total budget for the project

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