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.

Aerial shot of river in Amazon rainforest jungle in Peru

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.

Aerial view of Tonga coast

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.

Plastic pollution on a beach

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.

Colony Feather Dusters on hard coral with schooling jacks fish in background, Grand Bahama, Bahamas

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.

Newly planted mangroves

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.

Colorful thread spools

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.

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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.

Rhino in foreground of highway bridge and Nairobi skyline

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.

Overhead shot of highway interchanges

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. 

Green building

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.

pangolin

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.