FINANCING A GLOBAL PUBLIC GOOD
Weather and climate observations benefit everyone. Data generated in one country improve forecasts and climate information far beyond its borders. But there is a fundamental challenge: countries largely bear the costs of generating and sustaining observations, while the benefits are shared globally. For many developing countries facing constrained public resources and competing priorities, maintaining these observations over the long term remains out of reach. This imbalance is not only a question of fairness: it also leads to underinvestment in the global observing system. Sharing the costs more equitably is essential to ensure that countries with the fewest resources are not left to finance a global public good on their own, and that the world generates the observations needed to maximize benefits for all.
SOFF FUNDING GAP
103 countries have requested SOFF support. Twelve funding partners have pledged aver USD 158 million, but significantly more financing is needed to turn country plans into action and close the weather and climate data gap.
Direct Grants
Direct contributions to the SOFF UN Fund are the most immediate way to put resources to work.
They enable countries to move from identifying gaps to action and provide the long-term support needed to keep observations flowing once systems are operational.
Partners can make a single contribution or provide predictable multi-year commitments, giving SOFF greater certainty to invest today and sustain results over time.
Where we stand:
|
12 |
funding partners |
|
USD 158M |
million pledged |
|
USD 142M |
approved in readiness and investment support. |
SOFF Pioneer Funders
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Finland
Ireland
Iceland
Netherlands
Nordic Development Fund
Norway
Spain
United States of America
Innovative Finance
Alongside direct grants, SOFF is establishing a Financing Platform in Ireland as a special purpose vehicle, designed to mobilize different forms of capital for the issuing of Systematic Observation Impact Bonds.
The platform will bring together impact funders – sovereigns, philanthropies and benefitting private sector – mission-aligned investors and countries, allowing partners to contribute through arrangements that fit their mandates. Impact funders can provide upfront grants, multi-year commitments or guarantees, while mission-aligned investors can invest on agreed terms. By bringing these contributions together, the platform aims to mobilize additional financing to unlock funding for countries in the rapidly growing SOFF investment pipeline.
How capital moves from commitments to financing weather and climate observations
1 Receive
Accept grants, multi-year pledges, guarantees and investment capital
2 Define
Agree the terms, timing and expected results for each contribution
3 Combine
Bring Contributions together while protecting each agreement
4 Make available earlier
Use confirmed future commitments to issue tailored bonds
5 Deploy
Channel resources through the UN MPTFO for country implementation
SHARE. JOIN. INVEST.
Weather and climate observations are a global public good. Closing the gaps in the global observing system is therefore a shared responsibility. It requires making basic observations a priority in national policies, development programmes and climate investments.
Governments can champion this agenda. Development institutions and businesses can integrate observations into their investments. Scientists, partners and advocates can help demonstrate their value and bring the issue to the attention of decision-makers.
SOFF is the United Nations Fund to turn these commitments into action. Help make weather and climate observations a priority. Join the growing community working to close the gaps. Invest in the data that benefits us all.
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