Green Climate Fund Approves $295M for Jordan $6B Desalination Project

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved its largest financial commitment to date with a $295 million package of grants and loans supporting Jordan's $6 billion Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. This initiative, led by French companies Meridiam and SUEZ, aims to produce and transport 300 million cubic meters of potable water annually to nearly half of Jordan's population, addressing the country's critical water scarcity worsened by climate change projections of rising temperatures and decreased rainfall. The GCF funding is expected to attract additional investments from the International Finance Corporation, private investors, and regional partners, including the United States, which has pledged $300 million in grants and $1 billion in loans. Jordan's Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Soud, called the project a strategic priority, emphasizing its potential to lower water costs and save the government significant funds over time. The project's timing ahead of the COP30 climate summit highlights its significance as a model for climate adaptation and infrastructure investment in response to global warming challenges. The GCF is concurrently considering numerous other climate projects worldwide, reinforcing its role as a central financier in global efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.