8 October 2014: At the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 12), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) reported on its biodiversity-related activities, focusing on programming efficiency, programming trends, portfolio performance and resource mobilization beyond the biodiversity focal area. The ‘GEF Report to CBD COP 12,’ also highlights future programming opportunities in the GEF’s sixth replenishment period (GEF-6), which began 1 July 2014.

The report explains that 98% of available resources (US$1.06 billion of US$1.08 billion) for the biodiversity focal area has been programmed, due to contributions from GEF partners over the last four years. While up to 60% of all biodiversity resources programmed historically went to establish, finance and manage protected areas, the programming trend has shifted from primarily protected areas to more biodiversity mainstreaming. In addition, requests have increased for capacity building for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) and the development of ABS agreements.

The report states that 91% of the 198 biodiversity projects being implemented are achieving their global environment objectives. In addition, GEF investments for implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 totaled US$1.2 billion over the past two years, of which 41% came from the biodiversity focal area, with the remaining 59% coming from other GEF programming areas. GEF resources leveraged an additional US$5.2 billion in co-financing, resulting in US$6.4 billion programmed towards achieving the Strategic Plan and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

On GEF-6 programming, 31 countries have pledged US$4.433 billion, the largest replenishment in the GEF’s history, with US$1.296 billion allocated to the biodiversity focal area, the largest GEF focal area.

The GEF-6 biodiversity strategy is comprised of ten programmes that directly contribute to implementing the Strategic Plan and achieving the Aichi Targets through measures that address the most critical drivers of biodiversity loss. Programmes include direct conservation/protection, threat-reduction, sustainable use and biodiversity mainstreaming approaches. The strategy also addresses, for the first time, the failure to account for and price the full economic value of ecosystems and biodiversity, a critical underlying driver of biodiversity loss.

Two of the GEF-6 integrated approach pilots, ‘Taking Deforestation out of Commodity Supply Chains’ and ‘Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Africa,’ will also contribute to achieving the Aichi Targets, as will other GEF focal areas, particularly: international waters in the area of sustainable fisheries; land degradation in the area of sustainable agriculture; and the GEF’s sustainable forest management programme, which includes support for forest restoration. [GEF News] [Publication: GEF Report to the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity] [IISD RS article on GEF-6 Replenishment] [IISD RS coverage of CBD COP 12]