#Sustainability #Climate Finance #Singapore #GCBC

Launch of the GCBC Accelerator at Ecosperity Week 2025

Today, during Ecosperity Week 2025 in Singapore, Mary L. Schapiro, Chair of the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC), announced the launch of a new initiative known as the GCBC Accelerator. This global program is aimed at identifying, celebrating, and supporting high-potential projects that mobilize sustainable finance to bridge the investment and capacity gap in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs).

The GCBC Accelerator offers an exciting opportunity for organizations, programs, and partnerships dedicated to enhancing capacity in or for EMDEs to showcase their initiatives. Applicants can submit projects across three unique categories: mobilizing sustainable finance, building climate capabilities, and encouraging innovation. This initiative is particularly crucial as EMDEs, excluding China, face a staggering annual financing gap of nearly $2.5 trillion for sustainable development.

To tackle this issue, the Accelerator aims to strengthen local financial institutions and empower professionals within these economies, as unlocking investment potential in these areas is vital. Currently, capacity building resources necessary for scaling energy transition and sustainable development are often fragmented and inconsistently allocated. By spotlighting innovative capacity building initiatives, the Accelerator intends to channel financial resources where they are most needed, helping to address the ever-growing challenges faced by EMDEs.

Mary Schapiro emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Emerging markets and developing economies need access to the tools, resources, and support necessary to accelerate the clean energy transition. The Accelerator program is tailored to identify and amplify innovative efforts that bolster capacity-building, drive economic growth, and help establish more resilient and sustainable economies. The GCBC is thrilled to lift up financial institutions, civil society organizations, and others who are involved in this critical work."

The GCBC aims to provide tailored support for selected Accelerator projects. This includes expert advisory services, communication and marketing assistance, partnership facilitation, as well as operational support for various capacity-building activities. Chosen applicants will be announced during New York Climate Week in September 2025. By recognizing and supporting these efforts within the climate finance landscape, the Accelerator plans to help organizations and individuals unlock investment opportunities and fast-track progress in the transition across EMDEs.

Full details about the Accelerator can be found on the GCBC's website, with applications closing at 11:59 PM ET on July 4, 2025.

About the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC)

The GCBC is a remarkable global initiative that unites many leading climate finance organizations to accelerate and enhance climate and transition finance capacity building specifically for financial institutions and professionals in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). It has been designed to foster collaboration and meet the increasing demands for capacity-building assistance from financial institutions in EMDEs, aligning with international efforts set out by the UN and the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG).

Launched by Michael R. Bloomberg, the U.N. Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, alongside senior leaders from multilateral development banks and finance organizations at COP28 in December 2023, the GCBC is committed to enhancing support for EMDEs. Interested parties looking to join the GCBC or support its efforts in other capacities can reach out via [email protected].

In conclusion, the launch of the GCBC Accelerator marks a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change, bringing hope and opportunities to emerging markets and developing economies striving for sustainable development.