Case study
Climate Adaptation Finance and Infrastructure Delivery – Pacific Islands
Turning climate ambition into funded, deliverable action
Client: Government of the Cook Islands, Green Climate Fund, Asian Development Bank, New Zealand Government
Region: Pacific Islands
Year: 2022 to 2024
Prime Consulting Role: Climate finance advisory, economic and financial analysis, infrastructure planning, programme design, delivery support
Overview
Small island states face some of the most acute climate risks globally, yet often encounter significant barriers when accessing large-scale climate finance. Translating climate ambition into bankable, fundable and deliverable programmes requires a blend of economic rigour, infrastructure expertise and deep understanding of local institutional contexts.
Prime Consulting supported Pacific Island governments to bridge this gap, providing end-to-end climate finance readiness and delivery support. This included economic and financial analysis, infrastructure planning, institutional strengthening and direct support through major funding mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
A standout outcome was the Cook Islands securing the fastest-ever Green Climate Fund disbursement for a national climate resilience programme, demonstrating what can be achieved when finance readiness is paired with practical delivery capability and strong country ownership.
The challenge
Pacific Island countries face escalating climate impacts, including coastal erosion, water insecurity, extreme weather events and infrastructure vulnerability. While global climate finance is available, accessing it is complex and resource intensive, requiring detailed feasibility studies, robust economic analysis, institutional readiness and strong governance frameworks.
Many governments lacked the internal capacity to prepare investment-ready proposals, meet accreditation requirements or manage the end-to-end process from concept to approval. Without targeted support, critical climate adaptation projects risked remaining unfunded or delayed for years.
The challenge was to help governments move beyond high-level climate strategies and deliver credible, fundable programmes that aligned with national priorities and donor requirements.
The approach
Prime Consulting worked as a trusted partner to Pacific governments, embedding alongside local teams and tailoring support to each country’s institutional context and priorities.
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, Prime adopted a flexible, country-driven approach. This included developing pre-feasibility studies, undertaking detailed economic and financial analysis, strengthening institutional systems and supporting engagement with international climate finance mechanisms.
Through its Nimmo-Bell & Associates team, Prime also supported the New Zealand Government to deliver a regional capacity-building programme, helping Pacific Island countries improve climate finance readiness and navigate complex funding processes.
A strong emphasis was placed on practical delivery, ensuring that proposed investments were realistic, implementable and designed to deliver long-term resilience outcomes.
Delivery and outcomes
Prime played a central role in helping the Cook Islands secure record-speed Green Climate Fund approval and disbursement for the Akamatutu’anga To Tatou Ora’anga Meitaki (ATOM) programme.
Key outcomes included:
Successful preparation of a pre-feasibility study that met GCF technical, economic and governance requirements
Fastest-ever GCF funds disbursement following approval in early 2024
Strengthened national capacity to design, manage and deliver climate-resilient infrastructure programmes
Improved alignment between climate policy objectives and infrastructure investment planning
Beyond the Cook Islands, Prime supported broader Pacific climate finance readiness through institutional strengthening, economic modelling and advisory support, enabling governments to engage more confidently with international climate funds.
Social and economic impact
The funded programmes focus on strengthening climate resilience across essential infrastructure and public systems, directly supporting community wellbeing and long-term economic stability.
By accelerating access to climate finance, Prime’s work enabled earlier implementation of adaptation measures, reducing exposure to climate risks and enhancing national preparedness. Importantly, the country-driven approach ensured that investments reflected local priorities, governance structures and implementation capacity.
These outcomes demonstrate that effective climate adaptation is not only about securing finance, but about building the systems and confidence required to deliver and sustain impact over time.
Why it worked
The success of this work stemmed from Prime Consulting’s ability to combine economics, infrastructure expertise and on-the-ground delivery experience within a single team.
Prime acted as a one-stop partner across the full project lifecycle, from early concept development through to finance approval and delivery planning. Its lean structure enabled rapid mobilisation and close senior involvement, while its global networks allowed specialist expertise to be deployed as needed.
Most importantly, Prime worked in true partnership with government counterparts, treating client outcomes as shared outcomes and ensuring local ownership sat at the centre of every decision.
Impact at a glance
USD 44.21 million in climate finance mobilised for Pacific Island countries
USD 39.98 million secured through the Green Climate Fund
Fastest recorded GCF disbursement, achieved within 20 days of approval
1,500+ climate-resilient infrastructure assets strengthened
60,000+ people benefiting from reduced climate risk exposure
10+ national institutions strengthened in climate finance readiness
90+ percent of project expenditure retained in-country
Multiple countries supported to move from climate planning to delivery