Global Environment Facility

About GEF

The Global Environment Facility was established in October 1992 as a pilot program in the World Bank (with $1 billion)  to assist in the protection of the global environment and to promote sustainable development.

It works in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. Today GEF is the largest funder of projects to improve the global environment. 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are the implementing partners of GEF projects.

Global Environment Facility (GEF) is an independently operating financial organization. It  provides grants for projects related to:

1. Biodiversity
2. Climate change
3. International waters
4. Ozone depletion
5. Land degradation
6. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

The GEF also serves as financial mechanism for the following conventions:

• 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

Structure of GEF

The GEF has a unique governing structure organized around an Assembly, the Council, the Secretariat, 18 Agencies, a Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP), and The Evaluation Office (IEO).

• GEF Assembly is composed of all 184 member countries.
• GEF Council is the main governing body, which reviews and approves the work program.
• GEF Agencies are the operational arm of the GEF. They work closely with project proponents in designing and implementing GEF-funded projects.
• Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) provides the GEF with scientific and technical advice on policies, operational strategies, programs, and projects. 
• The Evaluation Office (IEO) undertakes independent evaluations of GEF impact and effectiveness.

Previous Year Prelims Question

With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (d)

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