Rotterdam Climate Center Faces Scrutiny Over Funding Claims
Rotterdam, Tuesday, 7 October 2025.
The Global Centre on Adaptation in Rotterdam is accused of exaggerating its role in projects to secure funds. This raises ethical concerns and calls for stricter oversight in climate funding.
Allegations of Misrepresentation
The Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), based in Rotterdam, has been implicated in allegations of exaggerating its role in international climate projects to secure funding. A detailed investigation conducted by NOS journalist Thomas Spekschoor uncovered these practices, revealing that the GCA has consistently overstated its involvement in various initiatives. This has raised significant ethical questions regarding transparency and accountability in the allocation of climate funds [1][2].
Expert Criticism and Financial Claims
Climate finance expert Pieter Pauw criticized the GCA for ‘strutting around with other people’s feathers.’ This refers to the center’s claims of mobilizing $25 billion in investments, which experts say are heavily inflated relative to its actual financial contributions of around €22 million annually. The GCA’s assertions that every euro invested generates 100 euros in climate financing have also been labeled as exaggerated by financial experts [1][2].
International Reactions
Countries like Norway and Denmark have expressed concerns over the GCA’s reporting practices, questioning the validity of its claims. These countries, among others, have been reevaluating their financial commitments to the center due to the discrepancies in reported project involvement and actual contributions. Despite this, the GCA maintains that its reporting methods align with sector norms, though this stance is contradicted by several experts and donors [1][2][3].
Impact on Future Funding
The Netherlands and the UK have announced plans to cease funding the GCA after 2026, officially citing the expiration of existing projects. However, the controversy surrounding the GCA’s claimed achievements is believed to have influenced this decision. The potential relocation of the GCA to Kenya has also been discussed, as the organization seeks to maintain its operational capacity amid dwindling support from traditional backers [1][3].