Since 2008, the International Climate Initiative (ICI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) has been financing climate and biodiversity projects in developing and newly industrialising countries, as well as in countries in transition. Based on a decision taken by the German parliament (Bundestag), a sum of 120 million euros is available for use by the initiative annually. The ICI is a key element of Germany’s implementation of fast start financing. The Energy and Climate Fund launched by the German Government in 2011 is a further source of finance for international climate projects, and for activities to conserve biological diversity. Part of that funding is deployed through the ICI. That Fund is replenished from the auctioning of emission allowances. This innovative source makes Germany well-prepared to deliver long-term financing for climate and biodiversity projects worldwide. 

The ICI is active in four areas: promoting climate-friendly economies, fostering measures to adapt to the effects of climate change, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of natural carbon reservoirs, and conservation of biodiversity.

New projects are selected through a two-stage procedure that takes place once a year. Priority is given to activities that support creating an international climate protection architecture, to transparency, and to innovative and transferable solutions that have an impact beyond the individual project. The ICI cooperates closely with partner countries and supports consensus building for a comprehensive international climate agreement. Moreover, it is the goal of the ICI to create as many synergies as possible between climate protection and biodiversity conservation.