The eighth GEF replenishment will support integrated programs that can “move the needle” toward systems transformations. This framework positions the GEF well in its work to help developing countries pursue transformational change in key systems in line with national priorities. Collectively, the proposed 11 integrated programs address major drivers of environmental degradation and/or deliver multiple benefits that fall under the GEF’s mandate. Many priorities also make use of increasingly more relevant global or regional platforms that are attracting a multitude of stakeholders and resources in response to political commitments.
Below are the objectives for each program, with links to publications which highlight the issue, integrated solutions, and expected outcomes for each program. They are also available as a compendium.
Amazon, Congo, and Critical Forest Biomes
Invest in the conservation and effective governance of critical forest biomes that sustain the health of the planet and flow of vital ecosystem services that underpin human well-being. The program will focus specifically on the Amazon and Congo Basin but also target other biologically important regions such as Indo-Malaya, Meso-America, and Western Africa where forest conservation will generate significant benefits for global biodiversity, climate, and people.
Blue and Green Islands
Apply nature-based solutions in key ecosystems that support socio-economic development in Small Island Developing States. This will place nature at the center of human well-being and generate multiple global and local environmental and societal benefits.
Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution
Catalyze circular economy approaches and emphasize upstream measures to reduce plastic production and consumption, the engagement of the private sector, and single-use packaging in the food and beverage sectors.
Clean and Healthy Ocean
Accelerate global efforts to curb coastal pollution from agricultural, industrial, and municipal sources; and advance both global commitments and national reforms and investments to prevent excessive and uncontrolled nutrient loads from reaching coastal waters.
Ecosystem Restoration
Generate multiple environmental and socio-economic benefits by applying integrated approaches for restoration of degraded ecosystems. It contributes to the GEF’s overarching goal to achieve healthy and resilient ecosystems and promotes green recovery and secure livelihoods within the Healthy Planet, Healthy People framework.
Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Supply Chains
Prevent chemical pollution from the supply chains of priority sectors including fashion and construction, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adopt more energy efficient technologies and practices, use nature-based solutions, and contribute to biodiversity protection and conservation by influencing material choices and ensuring these materials are available and accessible.
Food Systems
Catalyze the transformation to sustainable food systems that are nature positive, resilient, and pollution-reduced. The IP will seek to reduce environmental degradation and negative externalities in food production systems (food crops, commercial commodities, livestock, and aquaculture) and on the demand side across supply chains.
Greening Transportation Infrastructure Development
Enable countries to develop portfolios of transportation infrastructure projects at national or land/seascape levels that build in sustainability from inception. The IP seeks to ensure that transportation infrastructure projects will emphasize the incremental biodiversity, avoided land degradation, and climate change mitigation benefits and outcomes that the IP aspires to achieve through four objectives.
Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator
Accelerate the implementation of nature-positive and net-zero pathways by investing in nature and new technologies. The IP aims to push the ambition of national climate plans beyond the current levels and contribute to closing the gap between the expected combined impacts of adopted national policies and the well-below 2°C path enshrined in the Paris Agreement.
Sustainable Cities
Advance integrated and systems-based approaches toward building net-zero carbon, nature-positive, inclusive, and climate-resilient cities. The program will also focus on urban priorities, including the reduction of chemicals and waste, plastics, and air pollution as key co-benefits.
Wildlife Conservation for Development
Conserve wildlife and landscapes by transforming the drivers of species loss and ensuring that countries and communities are benefiting from these natural assets. Achieving this requires an approach with both global and national dimensions, with regional coordination and engagement.