The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has announced its largest financial commitment to date — backing a $6 billion desalination and water conveyance project in Jordan. This landmark initiative, set to transform the region’s water landscape, comes as the world prepares for the COP30 climate summit in Brazil and reflects a decade of global commitment following the Paris Agreement.
According to Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the GCF, the organization has approved a $295 million grant and loan package to support Jordan’s Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. This project represents not just financial investment, but a lifeline for millions. “It will transform the country,” Duarte told Reuters, describing it as the fund’s most significant single-project investment to date.
The desalination effort — among the largest in the world — aims to supply clean water to nearly half of Jordan’s population, a nation that ranks as one of the most water-scarce on Earth. The stakes are dire: scientists project that by the end of the century, Jordan could face a 4°C temperature increase and a 21% decline in rainfall, leading to severe droughts, groundwater depletion, and widespread water insecurity.
Recognizing the urgency, Jordan’s leadership has declared the project a national priority, with support pouring in from international allies. The United States has pledged $300 million in grants and $1 billion in loans, while the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and private lenders are also stepping up to co-finance this massive undertaking.
Jordan’s Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Soud, emphasized the project’s strategic importance: “It will desalinate and transport 300 million cubic meters of water every year to most parts of the kingdom.”
Officials estimate that GCF’s funding will lower water production costs by 10 cents per litre, potentially saving the Jordanian government over $1 billion throughout the project’s lifespan. Beyond that, the financial structure allows the IFC to offer more favorable lending terms, ensuring sustainability and affordability for decades to come.
The project is among 24 proposals under review at the GCF’s board meeting in South Korea. If approved collectively, they represent $1.4 billion in total funding, marking the fund’s largest-ever financial disbursement.
As the world looks toward COP30, this decision underscores a pivotal shift — from promises to progress. While challenges remain in mobilizing private sector capital and reforming global financial frameworks, this initiative demonstrates what’s possible when nations unite to tackle humanity’s most pressing environmental crises.
In the end, this is more than a financial transaction — it’s a story of resilience, partnership, and hope. It’s about safeguarding the right to water for future generations in a land where every drop counts. It’s a reminder that global climate action begins not just with ambition but with tangible commitments that change lives.
