Shifting narratives on funding mitigation abroad: Insights from an international dialogue

Boosting climate mitigation funding from advanced economies (AEs) to emerging markets and developing economies is critical to achieving the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. Understanding the narratives that drive public opinion and influence decision-making on funding mitigation abroad can help inform the design and communication of carbon market and climate finance policies that unlock more effective international climate cooperation. At an international dialogue convened in September 2025, experts from 14 AEs explored prominent public narratives on funding mitigation abroad and opportunities to shift those narratives for better outcomes. Core narrative themes related to the generation of benefits for both funders and hosts, the management of climate target risks, the integrity of funded mitigation, and national interests. To encourage public support, participants suggested reframing funding mitigation abroad in terms of partnering with others to tackle a global, collective issue; creating new market opportunities benefiting funders; investing in global and regional stability; reinforcing broader national objectives and processes; enhancing global mitigation effort; and finding the political middle ground. Participants recommended appealing to universal principles, values, and emotions. To build public trust in funding mitigation abroad, participants emphasised the importance of ensuring high-integrity carbon market and climate finance approaches, encouraging country-specific narratives from credible voices, and enabling more public participation and transparency in government decision-making processes. These insights highlight the need for deeper and more systematic research across diverse AEs to understand and transform public narratives on funding mitigation abroad.