The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established in 1991 and provides funding to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to the focal areas of biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. The funding comes in the form of grants and concessional funding and covers the incremental or additional costs associated with transforming a project with national benefits into one with global environmental benefits.
A large share of financial resources for climate change is mobilized through the GEF Trust Fund. In addition, the Facility administers two funds under the Convention: Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF).
The relationship between the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC and the GEF as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention was agreed in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) contained in decision 12/CP.2 and decision 12/CP.3. As outlined in the MOU and pursuant to Article 11.1 of the Convention, the COP provides regular guidance to the GEF, as an entity entrusted with the financial mechanism of the Convention, on policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria for funding. The MOU also stipulated that the GEF reports annually to the Conference of Parties. In order to meet the requirement of the GEF's accountability to the COP, the annual report of the GEF covers all GEF-financed activities carried out in implementing the Convention, whether such activities are carried out by the GEF Implementing Agencies, the GEF Secretariat or by executing agencies implementing GEF-financed projects.
This module is a joint effort between the secretariats of the UNFCCC and GEF aimed at enhancing accessibility of information on financial flows that have been channeled, mobilized and leveraged by the GEF. The data presented in this module has been imported directly from the GEF website without further modification or amendment by the UNFCCC secretariat. More detailed and comprehensive information communicated on the provision of financial resources can be found at The GEF Project Database.
Under the Trust Fund climate change focal area, the GEF finances projects for mitigation and adaptation as well as for the preparation of national communications in non-Annex I Parties to the Convention and other enabling activities. Replenishment of the Trust Fund takes place every four years, based on donor pledges.
The GEF supports climate change mitigation projects that reduces or avoids greenhouse gas emissions in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and management of land use, land-use change, and forestry. It also supports the ability of developing countries to enhance climate resilience by promoting short- and long-term policies, plans, programmes , projects and actions on adaptation. The GEF provides financial assistance for their preparation of non-Annex I national communications through its implementing agencies (UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank).
In addition, the GEF finances multi-focal projects which benefit several focal areas. Some of these projects have a climate change component and are listed separately from the projects of the climate change focal area.
The Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) was established under the Convention in 2001 to finance projects relating to adaptation; technology transfer and capacity building; energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management; and economic diversification. This fund complements other funding mechanisms for the implementation of the Convention.
The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) was established under the Convention in 2001 to assist Least Developed Country Parties carry out the preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs). In the course of preparing NAPAs, the LDCs identify priority activities that respond to their urgent and immediate needs with regard to adaptation to climate change.