New Climate Resilience Fund Targets Coastal Cities Facing Sea-Level Rise
$250 Million Initiative to Accelerate Adaptation in Vulnerable Urban Centers Worldwide
NEW YORK, November 19, 2025– Climate Resilience Capital today announced the launch of a $250 million Climate Resilience Fund dedicated to helping coastal cities deploy urgent adaptation measures against accelerating sea-level rise. The initiative will provide financing and technical assistance for projects ranging from green infrastructure and elevated public works to community relocation planning in metropolitan areas facing the most severe climate threats.
Global sea levels are rising at an unprecedented rate, presenting an existential threat to urban centers worldwide. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 recorded a sea-level increase of 5.9 millimeters, nearly double the historical average of 3.4 millimeters per year between 1993 and 2024. This acceleration is driven by exceptional rates of atmospheric and ocean warming, combined with accelerating land ice loss from Antarctica and Greenland. The WMO projects that by 2050, 800 million people will live in cities where sea levels could rise by more than half a meter, putting trillions of dollars in infrastructure at risk.
The Fund will deploy capital through a blended finance structure, combining concessional loans, project-level equity, and direct grants to municipalities and private developers. Priority will be given to nature-based solutions, including wetland restoration and living shorelines, which provide cost-effective flood protection while enhancing biodiversity. The initiative will also finance traditional gray infrastructure—such as sea walls, storm surge barriers, and elevated transportation corridors—in dense urban cores where engineered defenses remain essential.
Research demonstrates strong economic returns for proactive adaptation investments. The New York City Panel on Climate Change projects 23 inches of sea-level rise by the 2050s and up to 65 inches by 2100 in the metropolitan region. Independent analysis shows that every dollar invested in coastal infrastructure yields six dollars in avoided recovery costs. The Fund’s initial pipeline includes projects in Miami, New Orleans, Boston, and San Juan, with plans to expand to Asia-Pacific and West African coastal megacities by 2026.
“The science is unequivocal: we are out of time for debate and now must focus on implementation,” said Dr. Sarah Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Climate Resilience Capital. “This Fund bridges the critical gap between climate adaptation plans and actual projects in the ground. We’re not just financing projects—we’re building a replicable model for how public and private capital can work together to protect vulnerable communities from climate impacts that are already locked in.”
The Fund will begin accepting proposals in January 2026 through a competitive application process evaluated by a technical advisory board comprising climate scientists, civil engineers, and community representatives. Initial disbursements are expected by mid-2026, with a target of deploying at least 60 percent of capital within three years to ensure rapid impact as sea-level rise continues to accelerate.
About Climate Resilience Capital
Climate Resilience Capital is a mission-driven investment firm specializing in climate adaptation finance. Founded in 2024, the firm partners with governments, multilateral development banks, and institutional investors to deploy capital for infrastructure projects that enhance community resilience to climate change impacts. The firm manages $1.2 billion in assets focused on water security, coastal protection, and urban heat mitigation.
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