Sunday, May 13, 2007
Article:
Global Environment Facility:
Abstract from: http://www.gefweb.org/default.aspx
Biodiversity
Biodiversity conservation constitutes one of the GEF’s greatest priorities. Since 1991, the GEF has invested nearly $7.6 billion in grants and cofinancing for biodiversity conservation in developing countries. As the financial mechanism for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the GEF helps countries fulfill their obligations under the CBD.
The following four strategic priorities define and guide the work of the biodiversity focal area:
Catalyzing Sustainability of Protected Area Systems at National Levels
Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation in Production Landscapes/Seascapes and Sectors
Capacity Building for the Implementation of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Generation, Dissemination, and Uptake of Good Practices for Addressing Current and Emerging Biodiversity Issues
The strategic emphasis for the biodiversity focal area is on in situ conservation and sustainable use (Strategic Priorities One and Two); and furthering the impact of the GEF's catalytic role across the portfolio. In addition, the GEF biodiversity Strategic Priorities support the CBD's current work programs and reflect the current thinking within the conservation community.
GEF and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
The GEF is the “institutional structure entrusted with operation of the financial mechanism of the CBD.” Through enabling activities, national biodiversity strategy and action plans, and other obligations under the CBD, it provides financial support. This support is consistent with the CBD guidance to help developing and countries in transition conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.
Climate Change
GEF projects in climate change help developing countries and economies in transition to contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The projects support measures that minimize climate change damage by reducing the risk, or the adverse effects, of climate change.
Climate change mitigation. The GEF supports projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport.
Climate change adaptation. The GEF supports interventions that increase resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change of vulnerable countries, sectors, and communitie
As the financial mechanism of the Climate Convention, GEF allocates and disburses about $250 million dollars per year in projects in energy efficiency, renewable energies, and sustainable transportation. Moreover, it manages two special funds under the UNFCCC — the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund.
International Waters
The GEF international waters focal area targets transboundary water systems, such as river basins with water flowing from one country to another, groundwater resources shared by several countries, or marine ecosystems bounded by more than one nation. Some of the issues addressed are:
transboundary water pollution
over-extraction of groundwater resources
unsustainable exploitation of fisheries
protection of fisheries habitats
invasive species
balancing competing uses of water resources
Because water does not respect national boundaries, multicountry actions are necessary to foster sustainable development of these large systems which cover most of the earth. The GEF helps countries to collaborate with their neighbors to modify human activities that place stress on these transboundary water systems and interfere with downstream uses of those resources. In this way, water use conflicts can be prevented, security improved, and sustainable resource use fostered in support of global goals.
International Waters in the GEF Operational Strategy
GEF international waters projects help countries to deal with concerns in all types of transboundary water systems, ranging from river basins, lake basins, and groundwater systems, to coasts and large marine ecosystems where most fisheries are harvested, to the open ocean.
The focal area supports projects that help countries:
Learn to work together on their key transboundary concerns
Set priorities for joint action
Implement those actions if a political commitment to sustainability is shown
The GEF plays a catalytic role in helping nations making full use of policy, legal, and institutional reforms and investments necessary to address these complex concerns about transboundary water resources.
Future Perfect; Environment and Health Expert
6:28 AM
