Global Environment Facility Allocates $736.4 Million for Environmental Projects at June 2024 Council Meeting

Global Environment Facility Allocates $736.4 Million for Environmental Projects at June 2024 Council Meeting

An amount of $736.4 million has been allocated at the GEF council meeting in Washington, DC, starting June 17, 2024, aimed at environment protection.

Agenda and Focus Areas

During the four-day meeting, the GEF will consider projects focused on:

  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Climate change mitigation
  • Pollution control
  • Support for land and ocean health

Allocation Breakdown

  1. GEF Trust Fund: $495.6 million
  2. Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF): $37.8 million
  3. Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF): $203 million

Strategic Goals

Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF, emphasizes a commitment to integrated and inclusive actions for lasting impact across environmental conventions and developing countries.

Project Highlights

  • The GEF Trust Fund will decide on projects for the GEF-8 funding cycle (July 2022 to June 2026).
  • Projects contribute to global biodiversity targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Biodiversity Plan, including initiatives in the Sahel region, Yemen, Africa’s Great Green Wall project, and Yemen’s Socotra archipelago.

Initiatives and Conventions Supported

  • GEF Trust Fund supports the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
  • Projects include reduction of persistent organic pollutants and management of e-waste.

Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF)

  • Inaugural work program aims to fund conservation initiatives in Brazil and Mexico, supporting goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)

  • $203 million allocated for climate adaptation initiatives across 14 projects in vulnerable countries.

Council Functions

  • The Council meets three times in 2024 to develop, adopt, and evaluate operational policies and programs for GEF-financed activities.
  • It reviews and approves work programs, making decisions by consensus.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers:

  1. At the GEF council meeting in June 2024, how much funding is allocated towards environment protection?
    • A) $737.4 million
    • B) $736.4 million
    • C) $635.4 million
    • D) $495.6 million
    • Answer: B) $736.4 million
  2. Which of the following is NOT a focus area for projects considered during the GEF council meeting?
    • A) Biodiversity conservation
    • B) Climate change mitigation
    • C) Ocean mining
    • D) Pollution control
    • Answer: C) Ocean mining
  3. What is the total funding allocated to the GEF Trust Fund during the June 2024 council meeting?
    • A) $37.8 million
    • B) $203 million
    • C) $495.6 million
    • D) $736.4 million
    • Answer: C) $495.6 million
  4. Who is the CEO and Chairperson of the GEF, as mentioned in the article?
    • A) Carlos Manuel Rodríguez
    • B) Angela Merkel
    • C) Joe Biden
    • D) Xi Jinping
    • Answer: A) Carlos Manuel Rodríguez
  5. Which convention does the GEF Trust Fund support in relation to persistent organic pollutants?
    • A) Paris Agreement
    • B) Stockholm Convention
    • C) Kyoto Protocol
    • D) Montreal Protocol
    • Answer: B) Stockholm Convention
  6. How many times does the GEF Council customarily meet each year, as mentioned in the article?
    • A) Once
    • B) Twice
    • C) Thrice
    • D) Four times
    • Answer: B) Twice