Marking 15 years of climate finance with our first-ever podcast

We have released our first-ever podcast, Nordic x Climate Talks to mark NDF’s 35th anniversary, our 15 years in climate finance, and our Trust Fund, EEP Africa’s 15th anniversary. Each episode will explore our initiatives, providing beneficial insights into the topics that push our daily work forward.

Listen in to Nordic x Climate Talks here 

In the forefront of the global climate finance landscape

In the debut episode, we reflect on NDF’s 15-year journey in climate and development finance and discuss how the agenda has transformed and the responses to challenges evolved globally. We emphasise NDF's role driving timely solutions and implementing best practices, showcasing a proactive approach to tackling climate and development challenges.

Leena Klossner, NDF’s Deputy Managing Director, and Director of Strategy, Outreach and Communications, says in recent years the global landscape of climate finance has undergone significant transformations, and so has NDF. Established in 1988 by the five Nordic countries, NDF shifted its focus from concessionary credits for social and economic development to grants for climate change interventions in 2009.

"If we look at what has happened in the climate change arena, really remarkable progress has taken place. If we look at science, global policy, global agreements, overall public awareness and the actions related to all of this, in all those areas, there has been a lot of progress,” Klossner explains.

She highlights that in parallel to NDF’s shift of mandate, the world witnessed a growing recognition of the urgent need to address climate change, highlighted by key reports, such as the Stern Review in 2006, establishment of the Green Climate Fund in 2010 and the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Leena Klossner talking about climate finance with host, Kelly Keodara. Photo: PodcaSTORY

Collaborative efforts of Nordic countries

Our second guest, Hans Olav Ibrekk, Special Envoy for Climate and Security from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, points out that while there have been positive developments, significant challenges remain. Public support for climate action has waned, with other issues such as security and the economy dominating political discussions.

“It is really important that the Nordic countries now really stay the course and stay committed to the climate agenda, because there are actually now getting fewer and fewer of us around this table,” he says.

To overcome these challenges, the collaborative efforts of Nordic countries and the engagement of the public, particularly the youth, offer a pathway to accelerating climate action and mobilising the necessary finance to address the global climate crisis, according to Ibrekk.

One important feature for the Nordic region’s work on climate finance, and our strength, is that: “We carry on the same values and priorities in terms of gender, indigenous people, equality etc. So, in that sense, we carry a one common voice.” Ibrekk explains.

Leena Klossner agrees and adds: “Today, NDF is in a very good spot to drive the agenda, to push the limits. We have the solid backing of our five donor countries, the Nordic countries, who are all very much at the forefront of the climate agenda. We feel we are an excellent tool for the Nordic countries to push their agenda.”

Delve into the first episode of Nordic x Climate Talks

Throughout the next episodes, we will continue exploring the challenges and solutions to climate change with our esteemed guests, sharing compelling stories from the front lines of the projects we co-finance.

Photo: PodcaSTORY