We collaborate with cities to prepare and implement big climate infrastructure projects that improve the lives of residents with large-scale, measurable impact.

SUSTAINABILITY
UNLOCKED

With greater numbers of marginalised residents directly and disproportionately affected by drought, flooding, heat stress, storms and sea levels rising, cities across Africa, Asia and Latin America have the need, ambition and drive to change for the better. But too often they fail to secure the necessary finance.

Our purpose is to bridge that gap by ensuring financial readiness of both the project and city administration. With links to the right finance and effective support, all crucial climate action plans can become reality.

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We are unafraid to tackle climate action projects in higher risk environments. It is only by taking on the greater challenges that we will bring about the greatest impact.

TACKLING THE
FINANCING GAP

An estimated US$4 trillion per year in infrastructure investment is needed for low and middle-income countries to leapfrog the fossil fuel-driven economic development of the past and implement essential adaptation and mitigation measures. Yet only 0.8% of the capital managed by institutional investors is allocated to infrastructure.

Urban populations are highly vulnerable. Without intervention, by 2050 in cities:

800 million people

will be at risk from sea-level rise

1.6 billion people

will regularly face extreme heat

685 million people

will face decline in availability of fresh water

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10 YEARS
OF IMPACT

The CFF is a multi-donor initiative, implemented jointly by C40 Cities and GIZ, that was launched at COP21 in 2015. Our projects have included electric buses, solar farms, energy efficiency improvements, sustainable waste systems and river restorations – all aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change. In 2020, we were proud to receive the UN Global Climate Action Award.

In 2025, CFF is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Since its launch, CFF has partnered with 30 cities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, supporting 38 transformative projects, a number which continues to grow. CFF continues to uphold its original commitment to work with cities to prepare and implement infrastructure projects that have a tangible impact on the lives of all residents.

In only 10 years, CFF and its partner cities have mobilised over €1 billion in climate finance.

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We prioritise the needs of each city with unbiased, independent advisory services grounded in subject expertise.

OUR PROJECTS Arrow Image OUR PROCESS Arrow Image