kampala, Uganda – October 31, 2025
Uganda has received a historic US$31 million results-based payment from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in recognition of its measurable reductions in deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. This marks the first-ever GCF results-based payment awarded to an African country, positioning Uganda as a continental leader in climate-smart forestry and sustainable land management.
The payment stems from Uganda’s performance under the “REDD-plus Results-Based Payment for Emission Reductions (2016–2017)” programme, which verified that the country successfully reduced net emissions by over 8 million tonnes of CO₂. This is equivalent to nurturing the growth of approximately 133 million tree seedlings over a decade, according to estimates from the Ministry of Water and Environment.
A Model of Partnership and Innovation
The achievement was made possible through a multi-stakeholder approach involving:
- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment
- Development partners and local communities
Together, these actors built robust forest monitoring systems, promoted sustainable livelihoods, and strengthened Uganda’s capacity to deliver on its climate commitments.
“This milestone reflects Uganda’s unwavering commitment to climate action and the power of inclusive partnerships,” said a spokesperson from the Climate Change Department. “It’s a testament to what’s possible when communities, institutions, and global partners work together.”
Strategic Reinvestment for Climate Resilience
The US$31 million will be reinvested into five key areas to deepen Uganda’s climate resilience:
- Sustainable land management and agroforestry
- Restoration of degraded forests
- Establishment of community and small-holder woodlots
- Scaling climate-smart fuelwood production
- Enhancing monitoring, reporting, and verification systems
These investments are aligned with Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and its broader vision of forests as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Uganda’s success sets a precedent for other African nations seeking results-based climate financing. It demonstrates that with rigorous monitoring, transparent reporting, and community engagement, countries can unlock significant resources to support their environmental and economic goals.
As COP30 approaches, Uganda’s leadership in REDD-plus implementation and forest conservation is expected to feature prominently at the Uganda Pavilion in Belém, Brazil — reinforcing its role as a champion of climate-smart development in Africa.
