Climate finance remains central to achieving low-carbon, climate resilient development. The global climate finance architecture is complex and always evolving. Funds flow through multilateral channels – both within and outside of UNFCCC financing mechanisms – and increasingly through bilateral, as well as through regional and national climate change channels and funds.

Monitoring the flows of climate finance is difficult, as there is no agreed definition of what constitutes climate finance or consistent accounting rules. The wide range of climate finance mechanisms continues to challenge coordination. But efforts to increase inclusiveness and simplify access continue. 

This briefing outlines the global climate finance architecture as it is now, in November 2016.