GEF - Global Environmental Facility

Published purpose

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is the single biggest source of funding for the global environment. Canada is the sixth largest contributor to the GEF under its Fourth Replenishment (GEF4) covering the period from 2006 to 2010. Through the GEF, Canada helps developing countries implement their environmental priorities and multilateral environmental agreements, in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, land degradation, persistent organic pollutants, and international waters. Under GEF4, the GEF and its partner agencies provide financing for innovative technologies, policy development, technical assistance, and capacity development in developing countries. There are two programming priorities for GEF4: (1) to build synergies among the objectives of the global environmental conventions and (2) to strengthen linkages between the environment and development. As a member of the 32-member GEF Council, Canada promotes programming and institutional reforms to: streamline the GEF project cycle; develop programmatic approaches; promote results-based management; and improve coordination between the GEF Secretariat and the ten institutions that implement GEF projects. During the Fourth Replenishment, Canada worked toward strengthening the developmental impacts of GEF initiatives by integrating gender and relevant social issues into all GEF activities.