What is Global Environmental Facility (GEF)?

The Global Environment Facility was established in October 1991 as a pilot program with the World Bank to assist in the protection of the global environment and to promote environmental sustainability development. It was restructured and become a permanent, separate institution in 1992 during the Rio Earth Summit with objectives to help tackle our planet’s most pressing environmental problems.

It is independently operated as a financial organization that provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), mercury, sustainable forest management, food security, sustainable cities.

It has well-structured governing bodies which are organized around an Assembly, the Council, the Secretariat, 18 Agencies, a Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) and the Evaluation Office.

Style of working of Global Environmental Facility (GEF)

1. It has a unique partnership with 18 agencies, including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, national entities and international NGOs-working worldwide to address the world’s most challenging environmental issues.

Today, the GEF is an international partnership of 183 countries, international institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector that addresses global environmental issues.

2. It has a unique financial mechanism for 5 major international environmental conventions: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

3. It works as an innovator and catalyst through the supports multi-stakeholder alliances to preserve threatened ecosystems on land and in the oceans, build greener cities, boost food security and promote clean energy for a more prosperous, climate-resilient world.

Working Areas of Global Environmental Facility (GEF)

It works in seven main areas, including biodiversity, climate change (mitigation and adaptation), chemicals, international waters, land degradation, sustainable forest management/REDD+, Ozone layer depletion.

India and Global Environmental Facility (GEF)

India is one of developing country in the world that has been a participant of GEF since its inception in 1991. It has played a major role in shaping GEF. India is both donor and recipient of GEF.

Environment & Ecology: Complete Study Material