Berlin:
A United Nations fund that will help poor countries tackle climate change has fallen short for now of its target of collecting $10 billion, officials said on Thursday.
Some 30 countries meeting in Berlin pledged a total of $9.3 billion toward the Green Climate Fund.
Last week, the United States pledged $3 billion, the biggest amount so far. Britain announced Thursday it would give 720 million pounds ($1.13 billion). Other major donors include Japan, Germany and France.
Despite the shortfall, Germany's environment minister said she was satisfied by the result because some countries had indicated they would increase their contribution in the coming months.
"I'm confident that we will reach the $10 billion goal," Barbara Hendricks told reporters. "$9.3 billion is already pretty close."
The fund is intended to help vulnerable developing nations adjust to rising seas, warmer temperatures and more extreme weather.
The money will also be used to help those countries develop clean energy sources that reduce the use of greenhouse gas-emitting coal, oil and gas.