Bridging the Conflict Gap in Climate Action and Finance

Jul 16, 2026 | ODI Global
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Many of the world’s most climate-vulnerable people live in place affected by armed conflict, violence, and fragility. Yet fragile and conflict-affected countries receive just 10% of global climate finance.

This is because they are often considered too ‘high-risk’ to invest in, and because funds’ rigid application procedures and long approval timelines, combined with lack of in-country capacity, resources and systems, make it difficult for fragile countries to apply for and effectively use climate finance.

Without targeted investment, climate shocks will continue to deepen instability, displacement, and poverty in fragile settings, creating a vicious cycle of coping with crises. But investing in these contexts also offers an important opportunity: actions to strengthen climate resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries can reduce humanitarian costs, support economic growth, and contribute to regional and global stability.