WASHINGTON (Enmaeya News) — The United States has delayed $2.6 billion in climate finance pledged to South Africa, prompting fears the funding may be withheld indefinitely, Bloomberg News reported.

The holdup includes a blocked $500 million tranche through the World Bank-affiliated Climate Investment Funds (CIF) earlier this month. That contribution was expected to catalyze an additional $2.1 billion from other global development banks and financial institutions.

The delay casts doubt over international efforts to support South Africa’s energy transition away from coal. A renewed attempt to approve the funds could take place at CIF meetings scheduled for June.

Neither the U.S. Treasury Department nor CIF have issued public statements regarding the delay.