Loading.....

Home » About GEF » GEF Structure and Stakeholders » Assembly » 4th GEF Assembly » Day 3 - Side Events

4th GEF Assembly Daily Coverage - May 26, 2010

SIDE EVENTS

 

FOURTH OVERALL PERFORMANCE STUDY OF THE GEF

Robert D. Van Den Berg, GEF, introduced the Fourth Overall Performance Study of the GEF (OPS4). He underscored that GEF-5 adjusted its goals to align them with global environmental needs, emphasizing that the national portfolio approach enables recipient countries to support and maximize project impacts. He noted the Small Grants Programme (SGP) proved to be an effective tool to achieve impact while addressing the livelihood needs of local populations.

Claudio R. Volonte, GEF, described OPS4 research carried out in 57 countries based on almost 2,400 projects. He highlighted solid GEF achievements, with “70% of completed projects showing moderate to solid progress toward impact.” He supported the creation of GEF national committees to promote national programming. Participants discussed direct access to funds, synergies between GEF and the international conventions, and involvement of GEF with the private sector, among others.

 

GREEN INDUSTRY PROJECTS AND TOOLS (UNIDO)

This side-event focused on selected GEF-UNIDO’s projects in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The aim was to better inform GEF stakeholders on the wide range of projects that contributes towards UNIDO’s Green Industry Initiative. In particular, discussions took place on the following areas: Energy systems’ efficiency and energy management, Renewable energy for industrial applications and productive uses, Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices, Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies and Large Marine Ecosystems, Phase out of HCFCs and promotion of HFC-free energy efficient refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

Summary of the Presentations:

Ms. Cheryl Hicks, Senior Advisor on Sustainability, moderated the side event.

  • Mr. Dmitri Piskounov, Managing Director, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), introduced UNIDO's Green Industry Initiative. He explained that the Initiative has a two-pronged agenda. Firstly, it is about assisting existing and emerging industries to reduce their energy, water and materials consumption and reduce their emissions to water, air and land. Moreover, UNIDO supports companies to manage chemicals and wastes in an environmentally sound manner and to re-design products to reduce their environmental impact. Secondly, the Initiative promotes the establishment of a vibrant and innovative environmental goods and services sector. This includes the providers of waste management and recycling technologies and services, designers and manufacturers of environmental technologies, providers of energy efficiency and renewable energy techniques and technologies, and suppliers of environmental monitoring services. Subsequently, five projects were presented that incorporated various aspects of sustainable industrial development, and which have been, are being, our could be funded by the GEF. This was done to demonstrate the strong overlap between GEF’s areas of action and/or of interest and UNIDO’s Green Industry Initiative.
  • Mr. Zhihong Zang, GEF, presented the completed GEF-funded project “energy conservation and GHG emissions reduction” designed to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in China’s brick, cement, metal casting and coking Township Village Enterprises (TVE) sectors. The project addressed key market, policy, technological, management and financial barriers, and induced a market transformation supportive of key energy efficient technologies and products in the selected four TVE sectors.
  • Mr. Alvaro Ramos Trigo, ex-Minister of Agriculture (1990 -93) and ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs (1995-98), Uruguay, presented the UNIDO funded project on “ Observatory for Renewable Energy in Latin America and the Caribbean - Renewable energy for industrial applications and productive uses” in Latin America and the Caribbean the unique aim of which is mobilizing financial resources to enhance the penetration of renewable energy in the region. The financial aspect of renewable energy being an essential topic was elaborated.
  • Mr. Mohamed Eisa, UNIDO, presented the project on “Best available techniques and best environmental practices on POPs” in South East Asia that addresses the formulation of regional guidelines and guidance on BAT/BEP for fossil fuel-fired utility and industrial boilers consistent with relevant requirements of Stockholm Convention and in the same time is improving significantly the energy efficiency of these utilities. It also looks into the dissemination of pollution prevention/cleaner production (PP/CP) measures in fossil fuel-fired utilities and industrial boilers source category - both very important aspects of greening industries.
  • Mr. Porfirio Alvarez-Torres, UNIDO, presented the project on “Integrated assessment and management of the Gulf of Mexico large marine ecosystem” which sets the foundation for LME-wide ecosystem-based management approaches for the rehabilitation of marine and coastal ecosystems, recovery of depleted fish stocks and reduction of nutrient overloading. In this project the transfer of environmentally sound technologies plays a key role in achieving the objective of a sustainable eco-system management. The same approach was already successfully tested and implemented in the Danube river and is under implementation in the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Mr. Sergey Korotkov, UNIDO, presented an innovative project that combines several aspects of GEF and is entitled “Phase out of HCFCs and promotion of HFC-free energy efficient refrigeration and air-conditioning systems” in the Russian Federation. This project being at the early stages of implementation, anticipates direct phase out 600 ODP tonnes of HCFCs in the foam and refrigeration manufacturing sectors to meet the 2015 Montreal Protocol target. The GHG emissions reduction resulting from the phase-out of HCFCs will be approximately 15.6 MMT CO2. The project also aims to introduce more energy efficient designs, through technology transfer, during the conversion of refrigeration and air conditioning manufacturing facilities. GHG emissions will be reduced through lower electricity consumption in the commercial and industrial refrigeration sectors.

The side-event was concluded with a Q & A segment.

 

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS THROUGH INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY APPROACHES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL SGP

The GEF SGP convened a roundtable on finance for local projects. Participants heard presentations from grantees and SGP officers, and viewed a short background film showcasing SGP support for more than 12,000 projects in 122 countries.
A grantee from Peru discussed conservation of local varieties of cotton, and the digging of a well to bring clean water to her family along with new cooking technologies that produce less smoke. A grantee from Fiji discussed environmental education for climate change adaptation on a remote island. A member of the NGO network lauded the work of local NGOs as custodians of the environment.

During discussion: Katharina Kummer Peiry, Secretary General of the Basel Convention, asked why SGP has not funded more waste management projects and whether it might in the future. The Minister of Environment of Somalia and a participant from Eritrea agreed that projects to address waste are important.

 

FINANCE AND SECTOR-LEVEL MINISTRIES PERSPECTIVES ON GEF'S IMPACT IN SECTOR DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES

The presenters and panelists discussed difficulties in getting environment ministries to communicate with finance and sectoral ministries “in the same language.” They agreed that assessing the long-term economic value of natural resources and environmental protection is essential. They stressed that obtaining the needed resources and loan approvals is not possible without the cooperation of legislatures and support of the general public. Some suggested that GEF grants be bundled with loans from other sources, to receive higher national priority. Barbados urged the Banks and GEF to consider a regional approach to finance responses to climate change. The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and World Bank panelists recognized their institutions may have to rethink how they lend for renewable energy and for response to climate change.

 

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: CAN WE FEED THE WORLD AND SAFEGUARD THE ENVIRONMENT?

This side event showcased success stories from FAO, IFAD and GEF projects, mostly with small-scale farmers. Charles Riemenschneider, Director, FAO Investment Centre, highlighted the challenges of increasing food production to feed the growing world population in 2050, in the face of land and water shortages, decline of commercial marine species, and loss of plant and animal genetic resources.

Elwyn Grainger-Jones, IFAD, recalled promising experiences with small-scale and large-scale farmers adopting sustainable agriculture based on reduced fertilizer and pesticide inputs. Carmen Pires, EMBRAPA, Brazil, showcased a GEF global project on the economic importance of pollinators for farmers. Mark Tonkin, Design Technology and Irrigation, presented a technology-based solution for irrigation in Jordan, useful for adaptation. Rufino Espedito, Brazil, presented a project that is working on youth and women’s social inclusion through sustainable agriculture. Marco Vivar and José Luis Tuquinga, Ecuador, reported on alternative approaches to support the livelihoods of small-hold farmers.

 

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN URUGUAY: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

National authorities from Uruguay’s Ministry of Environment, including Graciela Muslera, Minister of Environment, and Tabaré Aguerre, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, presented examples of successful implementation of GEF projects. These focused on sustainable use of land pastures, recovery of degraded lands, and biodiversity conservation. Two videos showcased agro-ecological activities and biodiversity conservation projects.

Experiences in funding projects for sustainable development were presented by Marc Antoine Martin, Fond Français pour l’ Environnement Mondial; Susan McDade, UN Resident Coordinator in Uruguay; Amb. Jean Christophe Potton; and Jose Luis Pimentel. They all highlighted the country’s engagement in and support for environment and development activities, condensed in the country’s slogan “Uruguay Natural,” which recognizes that welfare conditions are intrinsically connected to ecosystems. Participants welcomed the creation of, and international support for, the protected areas network in Uruguay, and called for further work on developing indicators on impacts of projects on the ground.

 

NEW SCIENCE FOR A SUSTAINABLE PLANET - STAP

N.H. Ravindranath, GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP), said that an additional investment of US$10.5 trillion, equal to an annual investment of US$430 billion, is required to limit warming to 2ºC and 450 CO2e ppm. He stressed the large mitigation potential of land-based options, particularly reducing deforestation and peat land degradation. Louisa Wood, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, describing drivers of change and impacts on ocean ecosystems, said 30% of world fisheries have collapsed and underscored the importance of coastal management for climate change mitigation. Patricio Bernal, IUCN, spoke on developing science for the protection of ecological services in the high seas and said oceans are responsible for the equivalent of 70% of oxygen production. Georgina Langdale, Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), gave an overview of the TEEB study, highlighting increased interest in valuation of ecosystem services. She added that an important target audience of TEEB is the financial sector.

 

THE CORAL TRIANGLE INITIATIVE

Nessim Ahmad, Asia Development Bank (ADB), explained that the Coral Triangle (CT) region is located along the Equator at the confluence of the Western Pacific and Indian oceans, and underscored that its coral and marine resources are under risk.
Bruce Dunn, ADB, noted the CT initiative is an example of the ability to address landscape-level issues using integrated ecosystem-based approaches both at national and transboundary levels.

Kate Newman, WWF, underscored that pressures on the CT include habitat loss and unsustainable fishing and coastal development. She noted that the CT Initiative aims to designate and effectively manage priority seascapes. On the CT’s importance for the Philippines, Analiza Teh said it promotes public-private partnerships for green finance, strengthens management activities and facilitates regional coordination. Sade Bimantara, Indonesia, highlighted the importance of developing the CT Plan of Action, and outlined some obstacles for implementing such plan. Nik Sekhran, UNDP, summarized UNDP collaboration in the CT, emphasizing the importance of linking natural resource management to poverty reduction.

 

THE LARGER LANDSCAPE OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: MAINSTREAMING AND ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACHES TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Karin Kemper and Jocelyne Albert, World Bank, outlined the Bank’s biodiversity projects, including GEF climate change projects that also promote biodiversity conservation.
Pedro Alvarez, Mexico Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, underlined that this project helped preserve ecosystem connectivity among 24 protected areas and promoted awareness-raising activities and participation in 130 communities.

Onno Huyser, WWF South Africa, outlined the Cape project to build biodiversity corridors in the Cape Floral Kingdom. Mario Nanclares, Argentina, presented a GEF project in his country, which aims at biodiversity conservation in productive forests in three ecoregions, through adequate planning and management.

Elizabeth Taylor, Coralina, Colombia, reported on a marine protected area that aims to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable use of the coastal and marine resources through the ecosystem approach and multiple-use zoning. Mohamed Zmerli, Tunisia, described the main activities for coastal and marine biodiversity in the Gulf of Gabes.

 

ARCHITECTURE OF FOREST FINANCING (GEF)

Panelists, including UNFF Director Jan McAlpine and UNCCD Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja: welcomed GEF-5 inclusion of a window for sustainable forest management (SFM) funding; estimated SFM funding needs of US$19 billion per year; and underscored that forests should be further integrated into poverty reduction strategies with a multisectoral and comprehensive approach.

Several panelists commented on ongoing forest management initiatives such as UN-REDD and the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, highlighting that they have to be based on local partnerships among civil society, indigenous peoples, government and the private sector. They also called for the promotion of synergies among biodiversity, climate change and forests, both at international and national levels.

National examples were presented to discuss key problems in forest management, including: poor coordination among national institutions; insufficient or inconsistent funding due to lack of flexibility in the provision of funds; scarce exchange of lessons learned; poor decision-making process; access to funding by local communities; and the need for the creation of protected areas and approaches to tackle deforestation and poverty.

 

INVESTING IN SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT: INVESTING IN KNOWLEDGE

The Panel was chaired by the World Bank and included a presentation by the GEF Secretariat on investments and strategies to promote sustainable transport. The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy detailed the challenges of estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transport and a proposed GHG methodology for the GEF. World Bank described how it and GEF can build an effective GHG and transport knowledge base.

The GEF Coordinator of the ADB discussed its transport portfolio, and the IADB addressed freight transport, opportunities for GEF-5, and the Smartway programme. The African Development Bank delineated challenges and prospects for reforming the transport sector in Africa.

Most speakers addressed a common topic, saying that a historical focus on technological solutions is giving way to a holistic focus at some development banks that includes reducing distances traveled, integrated regional planning solutions, system efficiency, and shifting to non-motorized modes.

 

REINVENTING DEVELOPMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE (UNDP )

The challenge of redirecting capital flows from traditional high-emission to climate friendly low-emission investments is daunting. So far only a limited number of developing countries are benefitting from a full array of policies, finance mechanisms and market-based instruments intended to redirect investment towards low carbon growth because many lack the capacity to identify and adapt, or access, these mechanisms. Therefore a key priority is to help countries develop their capacity to create these conditions and access these new sources of environmental finance.

This Side Event exchanged views on country processes to strengthen their capacity to formulate, finance and implement low emission climate resilient development strategies as a key element in redirecting private investment flows. The work of the Territorial Approach to Climate Change (TACC), a comprehensive programme designed to help sub-national authorities develop the capacity to design and implement climate resilient low emission development strategies, was highlighted and its work in Uruguay demonstrated. Working with associations of regions, the TACC is implemented by UNDP and UNEP in partnership with UN-Habitat and UNITAR.

URUGUAY’S STRATEGY FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY, MITIGATION MEASURES AND GEF CONTRIBUTIONS (URUGUAY GOV’T)

The event showcased the climate change strategy of Uruguay including how it became a part of the national political agenda. As from March 2009 the Government started working on a National Plan in Response to Climate Change on the following bases: Climate change is a fact and we are affected; we can take effective action to reduce negative impacts; we must take advantage of the opportunities this affords; this is cross cutting issue and requires coordination of all state action. The plan was concluded in February 2010 and its main features were presented.

 

PRAIS, FROM A QUALITATIVE TO AN INDICATORS-BASED REPORTING SYSTEM: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN MONITORING LAND DEGRADATION (UNCCD)

Changes within the way the UNCCD operates poise it to become potentially the most results-based of the Rio Conventions. The exciting new Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation system (PRAIS) is being supported through a UNEP/GEF project through a partnership with the UNCCD and the Global Mechanism, and executed by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

 

ENABLING CIVIL SOCIETY TO PARTICIPATE IN AND INFLUENCE THE CONSERVATION OF ECOSYSTEMS, CRITICAL ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP FUND (CEPF)

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) works to protect the Earth’s most biologically rich yet threatened areas. This event brought together civil society and donor representatives to discuss the ways in which the program enables civil society to participate in and influence the conservation of critical ecosystems. The event included an overview of the program, and the presentation of case studies on CEPF that described the impact that CEPF has had supporting civil society to work with governments mainstreaming biodiversity in development plans (Latin America), building networks of civil society to advance the conservation of biodiversity (Africa), and enabling civil society to achieve financial sustainability for biodiversity conservation (Asia). CEPF is a joint program of l'Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank.

 

GEF CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND COUNTRY SUPPORT. OUTLOOK FOR GEF5 (GEF)

This side event highlighted the GEF's efforts to support countries through three corporate programmes – the Country Support Programme (CSP), the National Dialogue Initiative (NDI), and the Global Support Programme (GSP) for NCSA processes, implemented on behalf of the GEF partners by UNDP and UNEP in the case of CSP and GSP and by UNDP for NDI. A panel of GEF Focal Points and NCSA Project Coordinators discussed their experiences, results, and lessons learned on strengthening GEF coordination, integration, and priority-setting and developing national capacities towards better implementation of international environmental conventions and achieving global environmental benefits, including ideas for future improvements. Q&A followed.
 

The reports on some of the side events have been prepared by IISD and written and edited by Soledad Aguilar, Karen Alvarenga de Oliveira, Ph.D., Hal Kane, Eugenia Recio, Keith Ripley, and Laura Russo. Digital Editor is Angeles Estrada. Editor is Leonie Gordon leonie@iisd.org. The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James Kimo Goree VI kimo@iisd.org.

Quick Links