Context:
67th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council approves $736.4 million funding.
More in the news:
- Funding has been mobilized for Projects from the GEF Trust Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), which together are part of the GEF family of funds.
- Includes Projects like Great Green Wall (GGW), Sustainable Cities Integrated Program (SCIP) etc.
- GGW focused on restoring landscapes and ecosystems across the Sahel region of Africa.
- SCIP is a 20-country program aims to catalyze urban system transformation.
- Includes 2 Indian Projects (implemented by the UNDP + MoEFCC) –
- Enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity to meet commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
- CoHABITAT – Conservation and sustainable management of wetlands forest and grassland to secure the population of migratory species along the Central Asian Flyway in India.
About Global Environment Facility (GEF):
- Genesis – Established in 1992 during the eve of Rio Earth Summit.
- A “financial mechanism” dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health.
- Partnership of 18 agencies to address world’s most challenging environmental issues.
- Governing body – GEF Council
- GEF Trustee: World Bank
- Member countries: 186 countries (including India).
- Secretariat: Washington, D.C (US)
- 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)
Source: DTE
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)
Answer: (a)
