Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson:
The one thing we cannot do in response to the climate crisis is give up. The findings of this report are stark and worrisome, laying out a panorama of impacts affecting every corner of the globe. But the story is not over – we can and we must change this trajectory. The Global Environment Facility is committed to addressing climate change and its related pressures in an integrated way, with nature at the heart of our efforts.
We have seen time and again that nature has the power to rapidly heal from human harm when given the chance. And just as coral reefs and polluted rivers can be restored with relatively simple, inexpensive measures, nature-based solutions can make a big difference in slowing down and reducing the effects of climate change. By investing in these measures and shifting to a low-carbon economy, we can reduce threats to ecosystems and keep warming within a safe range.
At the same time, we need to be realistic about the impacts of climate change that are with us no matter what. The world’s most vulnerable communities and countries need adaptation assistance, and expanding this support is a critical priority. The GEF is working to do so through the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund, in partnership with government, civil society, and the private sector whose engagement in this space is critical.
It is in this context that the GEF, with support from donor governments and in partnership with developing countries, plans to significantly scale up efforts to improve the health of the planet, for the benefit of people, wildlife, and wild spaces alike in our upcoming funding period.