Evidence of meeting #33 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was organizations.
A video is available from Parliament.
Director General, South Asia Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Thank you.
I think it has been mentioned that Pakistan is one of the six countries in the world that are eligible for funding from the climate funding envelope, which comes to $2.65 billion.
One of the measures we have taken is to make sure that Pakistan is eligible for that, because we see that it is one of the countries in the world most affected by the instability associated with climate events.
I don't know whether my colleague Mr. Gibbins could add something.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
Mr. Chair, have you taken into account the fact that I had to repeat my question?
Liberal
Executive Director, Afghanistan-Pakistan, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Mr. Chair, to that, I can simply add that Pakistan has three approved green climate fund projects, for a total of $120 million U.S. in financing focused on flood risk reduction.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank our guests for being with us today and for sharing this information with us.
I'm going to follow up on some of the questions with regard to the climate funding, because I do think that we all know this was a direct impact of climate change. This is not going to be the last time we see climate emergencies happening. Of course, as parliamentarians, as Canadians, we don't want to be on our heels in responding. We want to be more proactive on this.
Could you tell me about the climate funding? In particular, what I would like to know is, for example, how much of the $2.6 billion has been allocated and how much has been spent, and if you could you share with me the eligibility for applying for that. Also, what size of project is required for that? Just to add to that, could you also tell me how much of that is being spent for bilateral, multilateral, local or Canadian CSOs?
Thank you. That's like seven questions in one.
Director General, South Asia Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Yes, Mr. Chair, it's a multiphase question, so I will try to be as detailed as possible.
To start off, the $2.65-billion climate finance commitment that Canada has made is of course delivered in partnership with and through multilateral partners like the World Bank.
I'll try to address the questions about what Canada has done specifically.
The $2.65-billion climate finance commitment to developing countries has been delivered through regional and multilateral initiatives. I can give the example of $200 million to the second phase of the Canadian private sector fund at the Asian Development Bank, which aims to mobilize private sector support for climate action in Asian and Pacific countries that would not otherwise happen due to market barriers.
Pakistan is eligible to receive support through this fund in areas like renewable energy, energy efficiency, agriculture, water management—
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I'm sorry. I'm going to interrupt. I just want to make sure that I'm clear here. Is the climate financing that the Government of Canada provides provided only through the World Bank or through other multilateral institutions?
Director General, South Asia Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
It's provided through regional and multilateral initiatives.
NDP
Director General, South Asia Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
The majority of our climate finance commitment was designed from the beginning to be delivered multilaterally, and it didn't include direct bilateral support to Pakistan. We do have other direct bilateral support to Pakistan, but this particular envelope was, from the beginning, designed to be delivered multilaterally.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Are there any envelopes that are developed for Canadian CSOs, for Canadian organizations?
Director General, South Asia Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I'm not aware of any.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Okay. Thank you.
Are there any climate adaptation funds that Canada gives for which smaller projects would be eligible, say $2 million or $5 million? Is there anything that would engage more with local CSOs or local organizations?
Director General, South Asia Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I can cite our contribution to the green climate fund, which is the world's largest fund to support developing countries in realizing their nationally determined contributions toward a low-emission and climate-resilient future.
Pakistan has three approved projects under this green climate fund, for a total of $120 million U.S., so I can imagine that each of them is below that amount. It focuses on flood risk reduction, water management and zero-emission rapid transit—
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I'm sorry to interrupt again. I have such limited time.
I want to make sure that this is clear. These are all delivered through other organizations, so Canadian funds are given to other organizations to deliver them.
Do we direct these funds in any way? Also, do we have any way of ensuring that they align with our feminist international assistance policy?
Director General, South Asia Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
We have very strict monitoring and performance management standards. We are definitely following certain criteria, including adherence to the feminist international assistance policy. Any assistance delivered from Canada through these multilateral organizations is tracked and reported on.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
One other thing that I'll ask—and I know I'm going to run out of time—is on the Canadian Coalition on Climate Change and Development, which commissioned a paper in 2020. One thing they talked about is the vital need for Canada's climate commitments—our adaptation and mitigation commitments—to be on top of our ODA commitments and that there be some additionality to that. Of course, this is an additional issue that we are dealing with as a global community.
Has there been any discussion on our climate commitments being in addition to our ODA commitments? Our ODA, of course, is extremely low. I think it's still at 0.3%, if I'm not mistaken.
Director General, South Asia Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Mr. Chair, I am not aware of discussions about commitments in addition to official development assistance.
If my colleague is also unable to confirm that, we would have to check and come back to the committee on that question.
NDP
NDP
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you, Ms. Hannan, for undertaking to provide that additional information.
We will now go to the second round of questioning, and each member will be given four minutes.
The first person up is MP Hoback.