From December 16-20, representatives of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will meet virtually to discuss an ambitious $650 million funding package aimed at addressing global environmental challenges. The funds, drawn from the GEF Trust Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), will target pollution management, climate adaptation, and biodiversity protection while boosting support for Indigenous- and community-led environmental initiatives.
The Council meeting will also mark a critical juncture as it sets the stage for the ninth replenishment cycle (GEF-9), which will span 2026-2030. Discussions will focus on streamlining funding processes and evaluating progress on the GEF’s ambitious goals. A monitoring report prepared for the meeting highlights substantial achievements during the current GEF-8 cycle, including protecting over 130 million hectares of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, improving sustainable land management on 25 million hectares, and averting 840 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
“This work program is an important step in meeting 2030 global goals,” said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson. “By connecting environmental priorities with streamlined reforms, we can ensure long-lasting impact.”
The Council will review 31 new projects and programs across 133 countries. A major focus will be chemical and waste management, including agrochemical reduction and waste solutions for industries like tourism. Funding will also target marine and terrestrial ecosystem conservation, freshwater management, and reducing carbon emissions, with an emphasis on clean hydrogen technologies. Expanded support for the GEF Small Grants Programme and initiatives involving Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth is also on the agenda.
The week-long meeting will feature discussions on progress by the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), established to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Representatives will examine governance strategies and programming updates for the fund, which aims to channel resources directly to countries most vulnerable to climate and biodiversity risks.
As the global climate and biodiversity crises intensify, the GEF Council’s decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future. With ambitious projects and a growing emphasis on collaboration and efficiency, the GEF continues to position itself as a key driver of transformative environmental action.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.thegef.org/newsroom/news/ahead-ninth-replenishment-gef-council-consider-ambitious-projects-and-advance-reforms
