Yurivilca, Rossemary (2020). 2019 IDB Climate Finance Database. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/3fwm-ny86

1. English

What information does this dataset include?

The dataset captures:

• Annual climate finance totals (in USD) across IDB, IDB Invest, and IDB Lab operations.
• Breakdowns by sector (energy, transport, water, agriculture, and urban development).
• Mitigation vs. adaptation components for each project.
• Country- and region-level allocations across LAC.
• Co-financing and private-sector mobilization data where available.

What is the purpose of this dataset?

This dataset enables transparency and accountability in the IDB Group’s climate-related investments.
It supports policymakers, researchers, and international institutions in monitoring climate finance flows, identifying investment priorities, and tracking progress toward Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.

Which institutions are included under the IDB Group?

The dataset includes financing from:

• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) — sovereign-guaranteed lending.
• IDB Invest — private-sector and non-sovereign operations.
• IDB Lab — innovation, entrepreneurship, and pilot initiatives in climate resilience and clean technologies.

What are mitigation and adaptation projects?

• Mitigation projects reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy, sustainable transport, and energy efficiency.
• Adaptation projects strengthen resilience to climate impacts, focusing on agriculture, water security, urban drainage, and ecosystem protection.

What is the geographic coverage?

The dataset covers Latin America and the Caribbean, including both national and regional operations approved during 2019.
It reflects investment flows in both sovereign and private-sector projects aimed at advancing climate goals.

How is the data collected and classified?

Climate finance figures are reported using the Joint MDB Methodology for Tracking Climate Finance, which ensures consistency with other development banks.
Each project component is tagged for its primary climate objective and classified as mitigation, adaptation, or dual-benefit.

How can this dataset be used?

Researchers and analysts can use this dataset to:

• Measure trends in IDB Group climate investment over time.
• Compare sectoral allocations and geographic distribution.
• Evaluate how climate finance supports nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
• Support policy and planning decisions in sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon growth.

What were the main trends in 2019?

• Climate finance represented a significant share of total IDB Group approvals.
• Energy and transport sectors continued to receive the largest share of mitigation financing.
• Adaptation finance increased in water management, agriculture, and disaster resilience.
• Private-sector participation expanded through IDB Invest projects, highlighting growing investor confidence in green markets.

How does the 2019 dataset compare with previous years?

Compared to earlier editions, the 2019 data show:

• A continued rise in climate finance volume.
• Broader integration of climate considerations across infrastructure and social projects.
• Enhanced coordination between public and private investment channels.
• Greater attention to resilience and low-emission growth in national planning.

What are the dataset’s limitations?

• Data represent approved financing, not actual disbursements.
• Project-level information may vary in granularity by institution.
• The dataset does not include ex-post impact measurements (e.g., emissions reduced or resilience outcomes).

What is climate finance data and why is it tracked?

Climate finance data tracks funding for activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support climate mitigation, or reduce vulnerability to climate change through adaptation. In the 2019 IDB Climate Finance Database, this includes public and private sector development activities approved by the IDB Group for climate-related purposes.

What are climate finance tracking mechanisms and definitions?

The dataset defines climate finance as financing for development activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or reduce vulnerability to climate change. It tracks finance by institution, use, country, financial instrument, mitigation category, adaptation category, and project-level details.

Are public and private climate finance data sources included in dataset?

The dataset includes both public and private sector climate finance through IDB, IDB Lab, and IDB Invest. It separates financing by institution and recipient type, allowing users to distinguish public-sector and private-sector activity within IDB Group approvals.

What’s the difference between climate finance data for adaptation vs mitigation projects?

The dataset separates 2019 IDB Group climate finance into mitigation, adaptation, and dual finance. Total climate finance was approximately US$4.96 billion, including about US$2.57 billion for mitigation, US$1.45 billion for adaptation, and US$941.6 million classified as dual finance.

What is the regional climate finance data for the Global South?

The dataset focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean rather than the entire Global South. It includes country-level climate finance data for IDB Group borrowing member countries and regional projects in 2019.

How can policy makers use climate finance data to inform national budgets?

Policy makers can use the dataset to see where climate finance was allocated by country, sector, instrument, and climate use. This can help compare national climate priorities, identify financing gaps, and align public budgets with mitigation and adaptation needs.

What is the breakdown of climate finance data by financial instrument: grants, concessional loans, and equity?

The dataset provides climate finance by financial instrument. In 2019, investment loans accounted for about US$3.05 billion, policy-based loans for about US$1.17 billion, other instruments for about US$591.3 million, advisory services for about US$92.2 million, investment grants for about US$50 million, equity for US$3.78 million, and guarantees for US$2.13 million.