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General Studies 3 >> Enivornment & Ecology

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GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF)

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF)

 
 
1. Context
 
Last year witnessed parties to the three Rio conventions come together to discuss implementation of the agreements in the coming years. Delegates at all these meetings highlighted the need for more money to protect the environment in 2025
 
2. Global Environment Facility (GEF)
 
  • The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is an international partnership and financial mechanism established in 1991 to address some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges.
  • It was created in response to the growing recognition that global environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, and pollution required coordinated global action and financial resources.
  • The GEF plays a pivotal role in funding projects that benefit the global environment while also promoting sustainable development in recipient countries. It works as a partnership among 184 countries, international institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector actors.
  • The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank are its implementing agencies, ensuring that resources are directed efficiently to projects that align with its goals.
  • GEF funding is primarily directed toward developing countries and countries with economies in transition. These funds help nations meet their obligations under major international environmental conventions, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and others.
  • Projects funded by the GEF often focus on areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, conservation of endangered species, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and combating land degradation.
  • Since its inception, the GEF has provided over $22 billion in grants and leveraged more than $120 billion in co-financing for over 5,000 projects worldwide. It has also supported thousands of small-scale projects through its Small Grants Programme, empowering local communities and grassroots organizations to take action in protecting their environments.
  • The GEF operates in replenishment cycles, where donor countries contribute funds that are then used over a four-year period. It has become a cornerstone of global environmental finance, with its efforts evolving to address new challenges, such as the protection of international waters and tackling pollutants like mercury and plastics.
  • Overall, the GEF exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation, emphasizing that environmental protection and sustainable development are interconnected goals requiring collaborative global action.
  • Its work is vital in ensuring that countries, particularly those with fewer resources, have the means to address environmental issues for the benefit of current and future generations
 
3. Key takeaways from the latest meet
 
 
  • The financial resources for these conventions are overseen by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), an international funding mechanism headquartered in the United States.
  • GEF is set to initiate negotiations for its ninth replenishment in January 2025, which will secure funding through 2030.
  • In addition to managing finances for the three Rio Conventions — the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification — GEF also administers funding for other environmental treaties, such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
  • These discussions come at a critical time, as Parties to the Rio Conventions have expressed the need for increased funding to achieve their targets, citing significant financial shortfalls.
  • For instance, addressing desertification will require $355 billion annually from 2025 to 2030, with an estimated funding gap of $278 billion. Similarly, the Global Biodiversity Framework highlights a biodiversity finance gap of $700 billion per year through 2030.
  • During its eighth replenishment cycle, GEF secured pledges totaling $5.33 billion, with an ambitious co-financing ratio of 1:7. However, to bridge the substantial funding gaps, the ninth replenishment process will need to explore innovative ways to mobilize additional resources.
  • This negotiation process, spanning 18 months, aims to determine how funds can be generated and allocated for the period of 2026-2030.
  • At present, GEF appears to be stretched thin. During its 68th Council meeting in December, a nearly $700 million Work Program was approved, highlighting the growing scale of its commitments
 
4. What is GEF Council?
 
The GEF Council is the main governing body of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It serves as the decision-making and oversight authority for the GEF, providing strategic direction, approving policies, programs, and projects, and ensuring accountability in the use of GEF resources

The Council is responsible for several key functions, including:

  • Reviewing and approving GEF policies, operational strategies, and funding decisions.
  • Overseeing the use of GEF funds, ensuring that they are directed toward projects that align with global environmental goals.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of GEF-funded projects to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
  • Approving the GEF Work Program, which includes projects and programs submitted for funding.
 
5. Way Forward
 
The GEF Council is crucial in maintaining the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the GEF. By providing strategic oversight and approving projects and funding, the Council ensures that the GEF’s resources are used to address global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and pollution. It acts as a bridge between donor and recipient countries, ensuring that financial resources are allocated equitably and effectively
 
 
For Prelims: Global Environment Facility (GEF), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
 
For Mains: GS III - Environment & Ecology
 
Previous Year Questions

1.With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)

(a) It serves as financial mechanism for ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ and ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’
(b) It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global level
(c) It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to underdeveloped countries with specific aim to protect their environment
(d) Both (a) and (b)

Answer (a)
 
  • Statement (a): Correct
    The Global Environment Facility (GEF) acts as a financial mechanism for several international environmental conventions, including:

    • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
    • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
    • United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
    • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
    • Minamata Convention on Mercury

    As a financial mechanism, GEF provides funding to developing countries to help them meet their obligations under these conventions.

  • Statement (b): Incorrect
    The GEF does not directly undertake scientific research. Instead, it funds projects and initiatives aimed at addressing global environmental challenges. Scientific research may be part of GEF-funded projects, but it is not the primary role of the GEF to conduct such research.

  • Statement (c): Incorrect
    The GEF is not an agency under the OECD. It is an independent international financial mechanism established in 1991. Its primary purpose is to provide grants and funding to developing countries for environmental protection and sustainable development, not specifically to transfer technology and funds under the OECD framework.

  • Statement (d): Incorrect
    While statement (a) is correct, statement (b) is not, so this option is invalid

Source: DownToEarth
 

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