GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) council meeting in Washington, DC, an amount of $736.4 million was allocated towards environment protection. This funding aims to bolster global efforts in safeguarding the environment.

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

• About: It was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit of UNFCCC to address critical environmental challenges worldwide.
• Focus Areas: GEF is dedicated to combating biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and the degradation of land and ocean health through its family of funds.
• Supported Conventions: GEF provides financial assistance to support the objectives of five major international environmental conventions:

oMinamata Convention on Mercury

oStockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

oUnited Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)

oUnited Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

oUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• Membership: GEF comprises 184 member countries, including India, demonstrating its global reach and impact.
• Governance: The governing council, composed of 32 members appointed by GEF member countries, oversees its operations and strategic direction.
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., coordinating activities and supporting initiatives globally.
• Funding Mechanism: The GEF Trust Fund provides financial resources to developing countries and economies in transition, facilitating their participation in international environmental agreements and conventions.
• GEF Council: It serves as the principal governing body of the GEF, consisting of 32 members appointed by constituencies from member countries (14 from developed nations, 16 from developing nations, and two from economies in transition).

oIndia, along with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Maldives, has established a permanent Constituency in the GEF's Executive Council.