More than $3 billion for global environmental projects

The third assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) was held in Cape Town from August 29-30, 2006. The meeting saw the GEF gets its largest-ever financial boost with US$3.13 billion being received from 32 developed nations to finance environmental projects in developing countries over the next four years.

Commenting on this, GEF chief executive Monique Barbut said, “This strong show of support from the international donor community is remarkable, and signals firm commitment to protecting the global environment. We cannot be complacent, and time is not on our side.

The global environment is facing unprecedented threats, and these funds have to be translated rapidly into projects, programmes and policies that make a difference in developing countries.” The assembly was attended by almost 2,000 people, including 56 government ministers from 130 countries. A department of environmental affairs and tourism statement regarding the assembly announced, “This assembly precedes and follows a number of global meetings that are attempting to address escalating global environmental challenges. However, there is a more tangible urgency than mere markers on the calendar. It is critical timing because we are reaching the tipping point in many ecosystems.

We must act now, because damage may become irreversible, to too costly to reverse.” One of the problems facing Africa that was highlighted at the conference was the issue of land degradation, where it is estimated that two-thirds of arable land is expected to be lost in Africa by 2025. South Africa is currently using GEF funds for the Maluti- Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area ($15 million), the Cape Floral Kingdom ($11 million), the Wind Energy Programme ($2.2 million), the Renewable Energy Market Transformation ($6 million) and the Greater Addo Elephant National Park Project ($5.8 million). The GEF was established in 1992 after the Rio Earth Summit and has provided $6.2 billion in grants and generated $20 billion in cofinancing for initiatives that have produced global environmental benefits in 140 countries.

GEF projects focus on six global environmental issues namely biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer and persistent organic pollutants. GEF projects are managed by implementing agencies including the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and seven other international organisations. It is estimated that South Africa obtained a R16.3 million contribution to the national economy by hosting the third GEF assembly. The assembly is held every four years.