Tunisia is seeking to mobilize approximately $55 billion, or around 164 billion dinars, in climate financing by 2035 to implement its nationally determined contribution (CDN 3.0) in the field of climate change. According to the source, 74% of these funds will be mobilized internationally through climate finance mechanisms under the Paris Agreement. This was announced during a national workshop held at the International Diplomatic Academy in Tunis.
The workshop, organized in partnership with the Ministries of Environment, Finance, Economy, and Planning, and supported by the United Nations Development Programme, aims to enhance coordination among various stakeholders and partners. The goal is to identify mechanisms to mobilize more resources for Tunisia's climate and development priorities, with participation from several international partners, including the German Development Cooperation, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, and the French Development Agency.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Ali Nafti, emphasized that climate finance is not just an environmental issue but also a development, investment, and economic transformation issue. He highlighted the evolution of Tunisia's approach to mobilizing financing, shifting from seeking project financing to preparing projects that can attract and integrate multiple funding sources. Nafti stressed the importance of converting climate ambitions into concrete investments and prioritizing projects that can be translated into tangible results.
Minister of Environment, Habib Oueid, called on foreign partners to support the Green Belt program, which aims to achieve tangible results by 2030. The program includes reclaiming around 260,000 hectares of degraded land, preventing significant carbon emissions, and creating thousands of green jobs in rural areas. Oueid noted that climate change is no longer just an environmental challenge but also a threat to water, food, and energy security, as well as the coast and natural resources.
The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Tunisia, Rana Taha, emphasized that working on climate finance also means financing development and growth in Tunisia. She highlighted the importance of integrating various stakeholders to achieve inclusive and equitable development. Taha stressed the need to connect different actors to create a platform for cooperation that allows for the identification of actions aligned with national priorities.
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Tunisia, Celine Moyroud, noted that Tunisia has several assets in renewable energies, circular economy, and coastal protection, with significant potential for developing climate finance mechanisms. She cited the solar water heater program (PROSOL thermal) as a reference experience, which has enabled the installation of one million square meters of solar collectors.
Tunisia aims to reduce its carbon intensity by 31% by 2035 and, for the first time, targets a 34% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 2010. The national effort focuses on accelerating the energy transition by enhancing energy efficiency and developing the adoption of renewable energies. The National Energy Transition Policy, adopted in 2023, aims to increase the share of renewable energies to at least 50% of the energy mix.
Key points
- Tunisia requires $55 billion in climate financing by 2035.
