Glossary

Climate resilient debt clause or 'debt pause clause'

A pause clause is a provision in sovereign debt contracts that enables the borrower to temporarily stop repaying debt service (interest, principal or both) for a pre-agreed period when a predefined event occurs. These built-in debt deferrals can be designed to be Net Present Value (NPV) neutral and not extend the instrument’s original maturity date. Also known as Climate Resilient Debt Clause or Natural Disaster Clause (Centre for Disaster Protection).

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A practical note on Debt Pause Clauses, the first of a series of documents designed to help governments and practitioners understand and compare financial instruments.

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This policy brief examines the first real-world use of debt pause clauses - contractual mechanisms that allow sovereign borrowers to temporarily defer debt payments in the wake of a disaster.

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This report offers an in-depth assessment of pre-arranged financing tools using seven key criteria for ensuring pre-arranged financing reduces the human and financial costs of disasters

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Analysing the level of effort of international development donors to support a shift towards arranging financing for disasters, before shocks happen.

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This insight paper provides an overview of the key features of debt pause clauses, also known as climate resilient debt clauses.

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other key terms

Total crisis financing

Development funding focused mainly on crisis prevention, preparedness and response activities.

International crisis financing system

The network of global organisations funding crisis prevention, preparedness and response.

Sustainable development

Meeting today’s needs without limiting future generations’ ability to meet theirs.

Financial Flows

Financial flows refer to the movement of funds for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and response, covering planned and unplanned sources.

Basis risk

The gap between measured indicators and real losses causing payouts to differ from actual damage.

Contingent loan (or credit) and grants

A pre approved loan released automatically when agreed crisis conditions or triggers are met.