GEF-NGO Network Statement
30^th January 2010

GEF 5 Replenishment needs to be enhanced in light of Copenhagen Accord

The Fifth GEF5 Replenishment Meeting in March 2010 is a critical signal to the world of the seriousness of developed Countries in addressing global environment issues in the wake of the failure of UNFCCC COP 15 in Copenhagen to come to agreement on emission reductions and finance. The meeting is an opportunity for developed countries to show their commitment by significantly enhancing the level of GEF funding above the $1.625 Billion per year (Total $6.5 billion for 6 focal areas over 4 years) that was discussed in the Fourth Replenishment Meeting in November 2009.

It is the belief of the GEF NGO Network that this can be done partly by drawing on additional resources announced in the framework of the Copenhagen Accord in December 2009. The Copenhagen Accord, agreed among selected key countries at COP 15, included a commitment of US$30 billion in additional funds in the period 2010-2013 in so-called “fast-track” finance to support immediate action on climate mitigation and adaptation by developing countries. It was also agreed that this would be scaled up to $100 billion per year by 2020.

Developing countries called for the funds to be channeled via the formal UNFCCC-approved funding mechanisms - in order to ensure that these funds are allocated in a strategic and transparent manner and reach the targeted developing countries as soon as possible, rather than await the establishment of new mechanisms.

The GEF Trust Fund is the only UNFCCC funding mechanism focused on mitigation and capacity building action and therefore a significant proportion of the “fast-track” funds should be allocated to the GEF to enhance the level of GEF resources for Climate change. The GEF Trust Fund currently (in GEF 4) has only $200 million per year (or $1.6 million per recipient country) to disburse for climate change. In the $6.5 billion GEF 5 scenario – this is enhanced to $600 million per year – only 6% of the annual allocation under the Copenhagen Accord.

The GEF NGO Network believes that: 

1. The majority of “fast-track” climate funds should be channeled through the existing UNFCCC related funds rather than through bilateral or other ad-hoc mechanisms not answerable to the Convention. 
    
2. Climate finance needs to be provided in a manner that maximizes synergies with the other critical global needs of addressing biodiversity conservation, land degradation and enhancing social welfare;

The Network therefore calls for immediate action to: 

Provide adequate short-term finance for Climate Funds

• Allocation of at least $6 billion ($1.5 billion per year) for the GEF 5 Replenishment (2010-2014) to expand the finance available through the GEF Trust Fund to support climate mitigation action and capacity building; plus 5 billion for other focal areas.
• An immediate minimum US$1 billion/year allocation starting in 2010 for the LDCF, to enable the full implementation of the National Adaptation Plans of Action (NAPAs) in all the LDC countries;
• Provision of US$1 billion/year for the SCCF starting in 2010 for both Adaptation and technology transfer activities in non-LDC countries;

Maximise synergies with biodiversity and land degradation

• Additional finance of $500 million of climate finance per year to be channeled through the Biodiversity and Land Degradation windows of the GEF in recognition of the severe impacts that climate change will have on biodiversity conservation and enhancing land degradation as well as the role that natural ecosystems play in sustaining the life of communities impacted by climate change. 
   
• Support the rapid development and application of ecosystem management approaches which can generate simultaneous benefits for biodiversity, climate change and community welfare - such as conservation and restoration of forests and peatlands. 
   
• Stop perverse incentives for climate “mitigation” creating major negative impacts on biodiversity, climate change such as subsidies for biofuels, ocean fertilization and forest conversion to exotic plantations.

 

Download WWF's Position Paper.

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