Context:
Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Conservation International (CI) released report on ‘Inclusive Conservation Initiative’ (ICI) recently.
Conservation International (CI) is a Virginia (USA) based non-profit organization that works to protect nature that introduced quantitive threshold for biodiversity hotspots.
Key highlights:
- Indigenous peoples own 40% of terrestrial protected areas and 37% of ecologically intact landscapes.
- Indigenous land management – Equal or greater impacts on reducing deforestation.
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation funding – Less than 1% is directed to IPLC (indigenous people and local communities)
- Only 7% of the US$ 1.7 billion of funding pledged for ILPC goes directly to them.
About ‘Inclusive Conservation Initiative’ (ICI):
- Endorsed by – Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 2022
- Aim: To support ILPC to secure and enhance their stewardship over landscapes, seascapes and territories with high biodiversity and irreplaceable ecosystems.
- 4 components –
- Local Action to deliver Global Environmental Benefits
- Global IPLC Capacity Building
- IPLC Leadership in International Environmental Policy
- Inclusive Conservation Knowledge to Action
- Indian initiatives –
- Formation of Community Reserves and recognition to the Sacred Grove under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 2002
- Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006.
About GEF:
- Genesis – Established in 1992 Rio Earth Summit
- A “financial mechanism” dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health.
- Serves to 5 conventions –
- Minamata Convention on Mercury
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- Head Quarters: Washington DC (US)
- Members – 185 countries (including India)
- Trustee – World Bank (administers the GEF Trust Fund)
Source: Down to Earth
Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(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)
