The Climate investment planning and mobilisation Framework (the Framework) is a programmatic approach co-developed by the NDC Partnership and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It aims to expedite the implementation of climate strategies and drive transformational climate-development action. The Framework provides a common reference point for countries and finance providers to navigate the steps between setting climate commitments—such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS)—and mobilising the finance required for implementation.

The rationale for the framework

As global climate action transitions from planning to implementation, the First Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement has highlighted the need to significantly increase climate finance and ambition. The Framework identifies gaps in capacity or information that prevent finance mobilisation and facilitates the implementation of projects with suitable financial partners. It is designed to be inclusive, prioritising the voices of marginalised groups, including women and Indigenous peoples, to ensure climate actions are socially just and sustainable. Feedback loops are integrated to ensure ongoing learning and the alignment of investment strategies with evolving national and global priorities.

Key features of the framework

The Framework organises investment planning and finance mobilisation into six stages and 18 components. Its key features include the integration of financial planning with national development priorities and an emphasis on coordination mechanisms, such as project preparation units and national development banks. Decision-making is underpinned by evidence-based approaches, identifying both adaptation and mitigation needs. The Framework adopts a holistic approach to mobilisation, encompassing public finance, private capital, and blended finance. It also emphasises the creation of enabling environments through robust policy frameworks and regulatory reforms to reduce investment risk and attract diverse financial actors.

Pillar 1: investment planning

Investment planning involves three primary stages. Stage 1 focuses on building investment planning and mobilisation capacity. This includes mapping public entities and their mandates to identify gaps in expertise. A central coordination role, such as a specialised climate finance unit within a ministry of finance, is recommended to streamline processes and align stakeholder engagement. This stage also involves mainstreaming climate goals into national budgeting through instruments like Climate Budget Tagging (CBT) and greening financial systems. The NDC Partnership’s Readiness Support for Greening Central Banks Initiative is cited as a key example, providing coordinated support to more than 20 countries.

Stage 2 involves identifying and prioritising investment needs. This process requires evidence-based climate analyses, including Climate Change Risk Assessments (CCRA) and the identification of emission scenarios for mitigation potential. Countries are encouraged to conduct a common practice analysis to determine the market penetration of specific technologies. Social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) is used to estimate broader societal impacts, weighing environmental and social costs against long-term benefits. Prioritisation is achieved through multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to ensure investments align with strategic climate targets and feasibility.

Stage 3 covers the financing strategy. Countries map the climate finance ecosystem to identify potential international and national sources. This involves match-making investment needs with appropriate finance based on risk-reward profiles and commercial viability. A detailed financing plan is prepared to identify best-fit sources, such as national budgets, MDBs, or private sector initiatives, while simultaneously addressing systemic barriers through regulatory reforms and de-risking mechanisms.

Pillar 2: finance mobilisation

Finance mobilisation transitions into direct engagement with partners. Stage 4 focuses on programming with finance partners through dialogues to understand process requirements and flesh out project ideas. This stage includes unlocking private sector-led investments by developing Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and structuring innovative catalytic vehicles to attract private capital. Stage 5 involves the development of projects and programmes, translating investment needs into specific, finance-ready proposals. This cycle includes prefeasibility and feasibility studies, technical configuration, and the analysis of gender, social, and environmental impacts.

Finally, Stage 6 addresses project and programme implementation. Effective implementation requires securing the appropriate capacities and skills to execute initiatives successfully. Using a results-based management approach, countries continuously monitor and evaluate performance. Data gathered during this phase informs future ambition setting and implementation planning, ensuring that climate and financial goals remain adaptive and responsive to changing circumstances.