GEF - Global Environmental Facility

Published purpose

This project represents Canada's sixth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which is the single biggest source of funding for the global environment. Due to administrative reasons, this project is separated into two profiles for a total amount of $216,570,000. Canada is the sixth largest contributor to the GEF under its Sixth Replenishment (GEF-6), covering the period of 2014-2018 (Canada's contribution was recorded as $233.09 million as a result of the accelerated payment). By supporting the GEF, Canada helps developing countries implement their multilateral environmental agreements and environmental priorities in a way that supports national sustainable development priorities and ensures benefits for local development. Through the GEF, Canada supports work in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, chemicals and waste (including mercury), land degradation, international waters, and sustainable forest management. Under GEF-6, the GEF and its partner agencies continue to provide financing for new and improved environmental policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks, and capacity development in developing countries. As a member of the 32-member GEF Council, Canada works toward implementing its priorities for GEF-6, which are to: (1) leverage scarce donor resources, including through enhanced private sector engagement and greater use of non-grant instruments; (2) strengthen programming results, from an integrated approach pilot to address drivers of environmental degradation, better gender mainstreaming and enhanced country and civil society engagement; and (3) improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the GEF by focusing on operational reforms, including improving the efficiency of the project cycle and strengthening the results-based management and the knowledge management systems. For the first profile for this project, as well as previous support to GEF, see related information below.