3 February 2012: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has released the January issue of its Greenline Newsletter, featuring articles on adaptation projects in the Himalayas and Bhutan, a new interactive project tracking tool, and findings of the GEF Evaluation office, among others.

Regarding adaptation in the Himalayas, the newsletter highlights a recently-approved project in Nepal that will build on experience gained by the GEF in Bhutan to contain the risk of flooding by glaciers melting as a result of climate change. This US$6 million grant for the project on “Community-based Flood and Glacial Lake Outburst (GLOF) Risk Reduction” will be financed by the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and enable Nepal to reduce the risk from GLOFs in one hazardous glacier lake and establish monitoring and early warning systems.

In another piece, the GEF evaluation office reports on the positive impact of a geothermal project in Kenya. It highlights that in addition to supporting Kenya in increasing its proportion of electricity production from geothermal sources and associated reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the project implied GEF’s support to developing the Joint Geophysical Imaging methodology, which has inspired geothermal activities in the region.

The newsletter also features a letter by Monique Barbut, the GEF’s CEO, publications related to wastes and marine debris, and projects on biodiversity, sustainable land management, engaging the private sector, and upcoming events. [Publication: The Greenline, January 2012]