GEF The Greenline 60585 NOVEMBER 2009 LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear Colleagues, One of the key lessons we have learned during the replenishment process is that our ultimate success will depend on the relationship the GEF has with its partners: public sector, businesses and civil society deserve an equal and important role in this institution. HOME MONIQUE And it has been my experience over the past three years that LETTER FROM THE CEO BARBUT there is no weakest link in this network: as we look back on NATURAL RESOURCES the reforms we have made and the results we have accomplished each of our partners has been a change agent. More... CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS FROM OUR PARTNERS VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF NEW APPOINTMENTS UPCOMING EVENTS NEW PUBLICATIONS Investing in Land Stewardship A UNIQUE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT FOR NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT The Government of Ghana obtained a grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a Northern Savannah Biodiversity Conservation Project (NSBCP) to GEF's efforts to combat land support the conservation of biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, and the sustainable degradation and desertification globally utilization of medicinal plants in the three northern regions of Ghana. More... Investing in GEF-COUNTRY PARTNERSHIP: Energy Efficiency SAFEGUARDING DRYLANDS IN The GEF Experience THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Much of the land area in northwest of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is arid or semi-arid, and cover roughly 40% of the country's total land area. These areas are highly vulnerable to drought and desertification, and account for a significant proportion of land degradation in the country. More... Financing Adaptation Actions GEF INTERNATIONAL WATERS MEETING DISCUSSES RAPID http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/index.html[3/29/2011 1:11:13 PM] GEF The Greenline OCEAN WARMING As part of the GEF International Waters (IW) focal area experience sharing and learning program, the Fifth GEF Biennial International Waters Conference was held in Cairns, Australia October 24-29, 2009. Co-hosted by the Government of Australia and the GEF, the Fifth Biennial IW portfolio conference is the latest in a series of such South-to-South learning meetings of the GEF IW portfolio the last decade that have been held in Hungary, China, Brazil, South Africa, and now Australia. More... NO TURN ON REDD Forests have a huge potential for carbon sequestration and storage and currently, there is more carbon stored in forests than in the earth's atmosphere. However, for the first phase of the ARCHIVE Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012), the importance of existing forests for climate change mitigation has not been considered. Since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE (IPCC) stated in its Fourth Assessment Report in 2007 that deforestation in developing countries contributes about 20 percent of global greenhouse gas CREDITS (GHG) emissions. More... Editor: Patrizia Cocca Contributing Editor: John Wickham Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG Sara Minelli http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/index.html[3/29/2011 1:11:13 PM] GEF The Greenline LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear Colleagues, One of the key lessons we have learned during the replenishment process is that our ultimate success will depend on the relationship the GEF has with its partners: public sector, businesses and civil society deserve an equal and important role in this institution. Monique Barbut And it has been my experience over the past three GEF CEO & Chairperson years that there is no weakest link in this network: as we look back on the reforms we have made and the results we have accomplished each of our partners has been a change agent. So as we move closer to the finish line I want to mention a few highlights of what we have accomplished together: We are far more efficient. The time it takes for a full project to get endorsed is now 12 months instead of 44. We are more transparent. Since December 2007, the entire world can see the project portfolio of the GEF via the Country Profile Page on the GEF website. Moreover, the Operational Focal Points have also been able to access the details of all their projects that are under processing, so that they can monitor progress to approval. The next step is to give access to the full database in the GEF to the Operational Focal Points so that they can track the status of the portfolio in all focal areas. These operational successes have translated into environmental benefits: GEF financing has provided a key catalyst to the achievement of the target of 10% of the world's terrestrial areas under protection (2,302 protected areas, 634 million hectares). The GEF has been the largest financier of forests with $1.5 billion granted to forest initiatives, supplemented by more than $4.5 billion in co-financing. In the climate change arena, 2.5 billion tons of CO2 have been avoided because of GEF projects --and at the right price. Overall, GEF climate change mitigation projects are securing reductions of CO2 at about $ 1.62/tCO2, which compares favorably to, for example, CDM market prices for primary CERs (future delivery), which range from $7.20 to $11.50/tCO2. GEF projects have also led to the transfer of more than 30 environmentally sound technologies. Finally, GEF's work will lead to the environmentally-sound disposal of at least 35,000 tons of PCB-related waste--along with 15,000 tons of obsolete pesticides. And now through our collective efforts, we have a system that can be easily ramped up to keep up with the demands of an ambitious replenishment. Part http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/letter.html[3/29/2011 1:12:03 PM] GEF The Greenline of our vision for GEF-5 is an expanded role for civil society and business. It makes sense to further broaden the partnership to make fuller use of all of its talent and energy. These changes will allow the GEF to program a higher level of resources even more effectively in GEF-5. The replenishment discussions have progressed along two main threads: first, how we can further strengthen the GEF partnership; and, second, how the partnership can deliver more benefits for its clients effectively and efficiently. The discussions on both these points are well advanced; we are close to consensus. On the policy front, GEF-5 will see the beginning of support to countries to prepare on a voluntary basis national GEF business plans that could provide a framework for GEF financing. I should stress that the plans are not mandatory. This recommendation emerges from the OPS4 finding that country ownership is higher where country strategic frameworks provide a roadmap for GEF-financed activities. There are also proposals to widen the GEF partnership by providing access to additional qualified entities; refine the approach to programs, and streamline the project cycle; improving the flexibility of the resource allocation system; enhancing the engagement with the private sector; implementing the GEF results-based management framework; and a proposal to enhance engagement with civil society. Let me talk more about this last point. We see the role of CSOs as central to our work, and to our future. We envision CSOs as an integral part of the national GEF steering committees that will guide the preparation of the national GEF business plans. The expanded constituency workshops that are being proposed will include financing for the participation of a representative of civil society in each country delegation. We hope this will allow a better dissemination and understanding of GEF policies and will provide opportunities for exchanges across boundaries within each group. In this manner there will be a much more direct way to actively participate in the decisions taken on how best to use GEF resources to implement national environmental strategies; this reform will also ensure that the civil society will have a much more active role in project execution. Another very important project supported by the GEF that relates to Civil Society is the Development Marketplace. The Development Marketplace is a competitive grant program that identifies and funds innovative, early-stage development projects with high potential for impact and replication. This year there were more than 1,700 entries and the focus is on Climate Adaptation ­$4 million in small grants was awarded to social entrepreneurs from 50 countries. 36th Council Meeting I also am pleased to announce that an innovative new financial framework was among the decisions approved at the 36th meeting of Council, held in Washington DC, from November 10- 12. In its decision on the System for a Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR), the Council agreed that the STAR for the fifth replenishment of resources of the GEF Trust Fund (GEF-5) would be applied to the focal areas of biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation. The design of the STAR offers significant improvements over the current system (Resource Allocation Framework otherwise known as RAF); it will also greatly strengthen country ownership of GEF programs by providing greater predictability of GEF resources for developing countries, together with greater flexibility in programming. With the new system, all countries are set to receive at the minimum US$2 million for climate change, $1.5 million for biodiversity, and $0.5 million for land degradation. This means that the minimum a country can receive is $4 million during the next replenishment period; they will further gain more latitude on programming http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/letter.html[3/29/2011 1:12:03 PM] GEF The Greenline resources. Similarly the maximum a country may get is $300 million for the above mentioned focal areas. The STAR was not the only decision point for this Council meeting. We also decided on execution arrangements for the SGP and on a policy for upgrading countries within the program. SGP as you know is especially useful for small communities and we aim to have an expanded assignment from the core fund. Also, the upgrading of mature country programs will free core fund resources for starting up new programs thus allowing the SGP to cover most interested countries. GEF-5 Replenishment update I am happy to report that the participants are close to a final agreement on the focal area and cross-cutting strategies, including a program on sustainable forest management. Three financing scenarios, ranging from $4.5 billion to $6.5 billion are under discussion ­ these are pproximately 50% to 100% increases over GEF- 4. We are aiming to complete the replenishment process early next year and be ready to commence GEF-5 in July 2010. I look forward to your support through the coming months. Indeed, I am encouraged that with your help we will be able to take the GEF to a new level of service to our clients; they need us more than ever to help address global and local environmental challenges. http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/letter.html[3/29/2011 1:12:03 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES A UNIQUE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FROM OUR PARTNERS VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF The Government of Ghana obtained a grant from the Global Environment Facility NEW APPOINTMENTS (GEF) for a Northern Savannah Biodiversity Conservation Project (NSBCP) to support the conservation of biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, and the sustainable UPCOMING EVENTS utilization of medicinal plants in the three northern regions of Ghana. The project developed an innovative institutional collaboration system for NEW PUBLICATIONS implementation. The project was implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines (MLFM) in collaboration with a multitude of partners: the Ministries of Investing in Land Food and Agriculture (MoFA); Health (MoH); Local Government, Rural Stewardship Development and Environment (MLGRDE); the Ministry of Science through their regional and district agencies; a number of local and international NGOs; and several communities in the three northern regions. Impact - Why Does This Matter? GEF's efforts to combat land Two biological corridors were established in a mosaic of terrains (savannah degradation and desertification globally woodlands, farm fallows and degraded land) with very different land uses. In addition, the number of participatory communities and district assemblies increased from a baseline of 28 to over 76. Management effectiveness of Investing in protected areas within the corridors increased, and biodiversity management has Energy Efficiency now been integrated into the core business planning of the participating The GEF government institution, along with increased institutional collaboration in natural Experience resource management. And the indigenous crops and medicinal plants components identified over 26 indigenous varieties from a baseline of 8. Over 240 farmers now cultivate the new varieties from a baseline of 15. These farmers have been crafted into conservationists, thus challenging the widespread perception of migrating farmers as destroyers of natural resources and insensitive to indigenous cultures. Financing Unexpectedly, the two wildlife corridors also spawned a good relationship along Adaptation the biodiversity reserve corridors between the Ghanaian communities and their Actions Burkinabe counterparts, which will increase free movement of wildlife between the two countries. Insight - What's Innovative? http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR2.html[3/29/2011 1:13:09 PM] GEF The Greenline The project solved what could have been a very difficult implementation arrangement. The synergies among the different agencies working together produced outcomes that would not have been possible had the agencies worked in isolation. The key to innovation lies in the appropriation of staff: each agency seconded one staff and paid his or her full salary to the Savanna Resource Management Center to work full time on the project. This approach created cross-sectoral collaborative opportunities to address the many conservation, environmental, and poverty issues in northern Ghana. Action - How This Might Work For You This inter-institutional approach is highly replicable in other countries and regions, and holds important lessons for many other SD multi-sector projects. However, of all the innovative project aspects, the secondment of staff from ARCHIVE different institutions, paid by their mother agencies but collaborating to achieve project goals, offers the highest potential for future successes. SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE CREDITS Editor: Patrizia Cocca FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG Contributing Editor: John Wickham Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, Sara Minelli http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR2.html[3/29/2011 1:13:09 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES GEF-COUNTRY PARTNERSHIP: SAFEGUARDING CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS DRYLANDS IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FROM OUR PARTNERS By Mohamed I Bakarr, Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF Overview NEW APPOINTMENTS Much of the land area in northwest of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is UPCOMING EVENTS arid or semi-arid, and cover roughly 40% of the country's total land area. These areas are highly vulnerable to drought and desertification, and account for a significant proportion of land degradation in the country. About 27% of the NEW PUBLICATIONS country (more than 2.6 million km2) is now affected by land degradation, resulting in livelihood risk and vulnerability for several hundred million people. A recent Investing in Land assessment of land use and degradation trends estimated that the area of Stewardship degraded lands expanded at an annual rate of about 3,500 km2 between 1991 and 2001. Land degradation is due mainly to a combination of unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation, and mismanagement of water resources. PRC-GEF Partnership on Land Degradation in Dryland Ecosystems GEF Investment (to-date): US$ 22.9 million GEF's efforts to combat land Co-Financing: US$ 378.62million degradation and desertification globally Total Investment: US$ 400.91 million Participating GEF Agencies: ADB (Lead), IFAD, and The World Bank Project Website: http://new.gefop12.cn/e/MilestoneEvents/ProjectChronology/tabid/88/Default.aspx Investing in Energy Efficiency The GEF The Government of China considers this a major impediment to productivity and Experience livelihoods in rural areas and therefore tackles it as a national priority. Financing Adaptation Actions http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR1.html[3/29/2011 1:13:57 PM] GEF The Greenline In 2002, the Government of the PRC requested support from the Global Environment Facility to develop a "Partnership on Land Degradation in Dryland Ecosystems" to foster a long-term, constructive approach for GEF investment in transformative actions on combating desertification in China. Under the ARCHIVE Partnership, the GEF and other donors would support a 10-year (2003-2012) Country Programming Framework prepared by the Government to tackle land SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE degradation, reduce poverty, and conserve biodiversity through capacity building and model demonstration investment projects. The program is implemented by the central government and brings together national and international partners, CREDITS including three GEF Agencies: Asian Development Bank, International Fund for Editor: Patrizia Cocca Contributing Editor: John Wickham Agricultural Development, and the World Bank. Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. The program embraces an integrated ecosystem management approach to Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, effectively address land degradation and desertification in the context of other Sara Minelli global environmental concerns such as biodiversity and climate change. The goal of the partnership is to strengthen the enabling environment and promote an integrated approach to enhancing the protective and productive functions and services of dryland ecosystem resources in northwestern China. Overall focus of the PRC-GEF Partnership is on six provinces and/or autonomous regions affected by land degradation and desertification: Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia Hui, Qinghai, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang Uyghur. The program was designed to support a sequenced set of projects during the 10-year period that will lead to institutionalization and mainstreaming of the IEM approach to safeguarding drylands in the country. It is anticipated that the experience and lessons would serve as a model for advancing sustainable land management in the country and elsewhere within the region. Creating the Enabling Environment The first project funded and implemented under the PRC-GEF Partnership was a Capacity Building to Combat Land Degradation Project, which was designed to lay the foundation for subsequent investments in the CPF. As a result of this project, the Government of China is now effectively promoting the IEM concept and approach as paradigm for increasing sustainability of productive land use in the drylands. As noted in a recent report prepared by the PRC-GEF Partnership Coordination Office, the Capacity Building Project has resulted in: enhanced national and local capacities to combat land degradation, increased coordination among the central and provincial agencies, opened channels of cooperation from the central to the county level agencies, and http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR1.html[3/29/2011 1:13:57 PM] GEF The Greenline improved coordination between the sectoral plans and programs, and between central and provincial budgets. Coordination of laws and regulations has been facilitated through formulation of a legal framework for combating land degradation at provincial and regional level, and the revision of relevant national laws and provincial policies. Land degradation issues have been integrated into the provincial plans, strategies and action plans for combating land degradation, and the participatory community development plans. Mechanism for land degradation data sharing is now in place, and existing data resources from various sectors and in the provinces/autonomous regions have been consolidated. At the same time, implementation of on-the-ground activities at pilot sites activities is empowering local communities to combat land degradation. Toward Transformative Impact The PRC-GEF Partnership has developed four additional sub projects to build on the successful introduction of the IEM approach and creation of enabling environment for implementation at multiple-scales. These additional projects will scale-up activities in targeted areas to deepen understanding of the IEM approach for sustainable land use, increase policy and institutional reforms, and increase cooperation and integration with other ongoing programs in and outside of China. At the same time, efforts to promote and develop the concepts and principles to a wider audience at the central, provincial and local government levels are continuing. These efforts are all geared toward achieving transformative impact at scale, which is crucial for safeguarding ecosystem services in one of the world's largest dryland regions. The PRC-GEF Partnership is therefore emerging as a model for constructive by engagement multiple stakeholders in tackling global environmental problems based on national level priorities. Amongst the important lessons already gained from the partnership are the following: Country-driven Framework ­ The development of a Country Program Framework by the Government was a vital starting point for engagement with the GEF. This enabled the value-added of GEF investments to be more effectively articulated in the context of provincial and national development. In addition, the 10-year timing allows for the Government and partners to more appropriately target co-financing options based on investment priorities within the framework. Innovativeness ­ The approach to combating land degradation was based on principles for integrated ecosystem management, which meant that interventions could be designed to target multiple global environmental benefits. From the GEF perspective, the IEM approach increases the potential for synergies across Focal Areas while at the same time facilitating cross-sector and multi-agency engagement in natural resource management. This is essential for ensuring long-term sustainability of project interventions. Institutional framework ­ The PRC-GEF Partnership has full engagement of the Central Government, Provincial/Regional Administration, and Communities. As a result, the policy and legislative environment is influenced by grassroots realities in the regions affected by land degradation. This implies a high degree of ownership and accountability by relevant stakeholders, which is crucial for implementation of projects and scaling-up successful interventions under the IEM approach. Knowledge management ­ Application of the IEM approach is knowledge intensive, and this was recognized earlier on by the partnership. As a result, science has played a major role in defining targets, establishing baselines, and designing interventions. The establishment of mechanism for data management and sharing is therefore a crucial achievement in this regard. The project has also reached out to other initiatives for synthesizing knowledge on best practices, tools for monitoring and assessment, and lessons from sustainable land management. http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR1.html[3/29/2011 1:13:57 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES GEF INTERNATIONAL WATERS MEETING CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS DISCUSSES RAPID OCEAN WARMING FROM OUR PARTNERS VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF As part of the GEF International Waters (IW) focal area experience sharing and NEW APPOINTMENTS learning program, the Fifth GEF Biennial International Waters Conference was held in Cairns, Australia October 24-29, 2009. Co-hosted by the Government of UPCOMING EVENTS Australia and the GEF, the Fifth Biennial IW portfolio conference is the latest in a series of such South-to-South learning meetings of the GEF IW portfolio the last decade that have been held in Hungary, China, Brazil, South Africa, and now NEW PUBLICATIONS Australia. This portfolio meeting attracted 66 active GEF IW projects and 282 Investing in Land participants from 72 countries. Stewardship The themes of the meeting were climatic variability and change as well as results- based management. The IW portfolio discussed needs for incorporating climatic variability and change into water resources and coastal management, exchanged experiences about implementing their GEF projects, learned about techniques for adopting results-based management strategies as well as establishing indicators, and provided feedback to GEF and GEF agencies about their current concerns GEF's efforts to combat land and future needs. degradation and desertification globally The GEF has piloted an innovative use of videos at the start of each day of the portfolio conference to capture participant expectations, summarize the day's work, and receive feedback on how effective the sessions have been. Full Investing in proceedings, presentations, and all "Reflections Videos" are being posted on the Energy Efficiency focal area's portfolio learning communications platform and website at The GEF www.iwlearn.net. Please click on each day's video for a flavour of how the Experience meeting unfolded. A series of pre-conference technical workshops were also organized by the Government of Australia and the GEF so that participants might learn more about the challenges facing the Great Barrier Reef, aquifers, and the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia. The same issues are facing GEF-recipient countries. In particular, a UNEP/GEF/NOAA global assessment of the changing states of Financing our planet's Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) was launched at the IW Adaptation Conference. A separate press release is included on the GEF website Actions (www.theGEF.org) because information on unexpectedly rapid warming of the Earth's coastal oceans was revealed as part of the assessment. Some of the planet's LMEs are warming at a rate 2-3 times faster than estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change based on 25 years of satellite data. http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR4.html[3/29/2011 1:14:17 PM] GEF The Greenline The global assessment also underscored the excessive overfishing depleting the majority of coastal and ocean waters and the disruption of the global nitrogen cycle with nitrogen pollution from agriculture and human sewage producing an alarming increase in "Dead Zones" across the planet's coastal waters. A representative of the Barcelona Convention invited the participants to the Mediterranean Sea LME for the Sixth GEF Biennial IW Conference in 2011. TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG ARCHIVE SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE CREDITS Editor: Patrizia Cocca Contributing Editor: John Wickham Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, Sara Minelli http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR4.html[3/29/2011 1:14:17 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES NO TURN ON REDD CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS FROM OUR PARTNERS Forests have a huge potential for carbon sequestration and storage and currently, there is more carbon stored in forests than in the earth's atmosphere. VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF However, for the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012), the importance of existing forests for climate change mitigation has not been considered. Since the NEW APPOINTMENTS Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated in its Fourth UPCOMING EVENTS Assessment Report in 2007 that deforestation in developing countries contributes about 20 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, forests have finally gained higher recognition in the international climate change debate. Today, there NEW PUBLICATIONS is consensus that any future climate deal that does not fully integrate forests and sustainable forest management will fail to limit the rise in global temperature to no Investing in Land more than 2°C until 2100. Stewardship Reducing deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries is a highly cost-effective strategy currently under negotiation for a post-2012 climate regime. The basic idea behind this mechanism is that developed countries are financially compensating developing countries for maintaining their forests. The GEF's efforts to combat land gathering of more than 85 government representatives including 15 Heads of degradation and desertification globally State for a High-level Event on REDD chaired by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this September in New York demonstrates very clearly that forests have finally taken center stage in the international climate change discussion. At this event, there was overwhelming agreement that if funding levels will be adequate Investing in to allow for the sustainable management and conservation of large forest areas, Energy Efficiency REDD has considerable potential to become a win-win model for both, The GEF developing and developed countries. In an attempt to demonstrate the feasibility Experience of financing REDD, Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana stated that 1.5 cent of a dollar per day from each person in an industrialized country would be enough money to make REDD happen. The Global Environment Facility is following the discussion on REDD with great interest and hope. Particularly the recent development of expanding this Financing mechanism to REDD+ by including the role of conservation, sustainable Adaptation management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks is very much Actions welcomed by the GEF. As a financial mechanism for three different environmental conventions (UNFCCC, CBD and UNCCD), the creation of multiple environmental and social benefits that include but go beyond carbon mitigation has always been the primary goal for our investments in forests. Over the past 18 years, the GEF has allocated approximately US$1.5 billion to forest initiatives, http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR3.html[3/29/2011 1:14:32 PM] GEF The Greenline supplemented by more than US$4.5 billion in cofinancing. More recently, the GEF has started several pilot projects and programs in the field of REDD+. In that context, the Tropical Forest Account was launched in December 2007 as a US$ 50 million incentive mechanism for countries in the three remaining regions of large and mainly intact tropical forests (Amazonia, the Congo Basin and Papua New Guinea) to allocate substantive amounts of their country allocations towards projects seeking multiple benefits from forest management and conservation. Currently, we are in the process of finalizing a new SFM strategy for GEF-5, which will allow us to build an even more ambitious global forest initiative for the time period 2011-2014, incorporating more explicitly climate change mitigation benefits. While the present article emphasizes heavily on the benefits that could potentially derive from REDD+, the GEF is also aware of the threats like increasing ARCHIVE corruption and land conflicts as well as methodological problems to monitor and verify actual deforestation rates, which the world might be facing under any future SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE climate change deal fully incorporating the potential of forests for climate change mitigation. Nevertheless, turning back on REDD+ is not an option if our global CREDITS fight against climate change is to be taken serious. Rather, any major threat has Editor: Patrizia Cocca to be analyzed rigorously and appropriate mitigation measures must be deployed Contributing Editor: John Wickham as this has recently been done during the process of expanding REDD to Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. REDD+. Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, Sara Minelli TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR3.html[3/29/2011 1:14:32 PM] GEF The Greenline UN BODY MAKES BREAKTHROUGHS TOWARDS ADDRESSING DESERTIFICATION, LAND DEGRADATION AND DROUGHT By Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp and Sara Minelli Bonn, 9 November 2009. After thirty years of cooperation, the international community has began to make headway in addressing the effects of desertification, land degradation and drought, which affect over 2 billion people. Thanks to three breakthroughs at the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), science is set to guide policy, policy makers will focus on a concrete set of issues, and the international community will increasingly benefit from cutting-edge science and knowledge on desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD). Concerted global efforts to combat DLDD began in 1977 with the establishment of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification, which was further consolidated with the negotiation of the Convention in 1994. Over a decade later however, decision-makers still could not establish precisely what progress they were making in addressing DLDD. Progress in the past was hampered, in part, by the scientific community's disagreement over the measures to use to assess change, and the multiple causes of DLDD while its research remained fragmented. These constraints also contributed, to some extent, to the inability to mobilize sufficient political will to identify a starting point for monitoring and assessing DLDD. The adoption in 2007 of the 10-Year strategic plan and framework for the implementation of the Convention (2008-2018) sought to overcome these kinds of concerns. Scientists and politicians began to address these three bottlenecks at the ninth session of the UNCCD Committee on Science and Technology (CST) and its 1st Scientific Conference that took place in September 2009 in Buenos Aires, and at COP 9, which was held concurrently. On this occasion, Parties also took the decision to continue reshaping the CST into a global authority on DLDD issues. At the recommendation of the CST, COP 9 agreed on a set of eleven indicators ­ two mandatory and nine optional ­ to monitor and assess DLDD. Thus, starting in 2012, Parties to the Convention will, at a minimum, report on the proportion of the population living above the poverty line in areas affected by desertification, land degradation and drought and on the status of land cover in these areas. These impact indicators will enable parties to determine the progress made, at http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR5.html[3/29/2011 1:15:29 PM] GEF The Greenline the national and international levels, to improve the well-being of the populations and ecosystems in the affected areas, and to generate global benefits from the implementation of the action programmes at all levels. Further work of the CST is planned to refine the set of impact indicators and associated methodologies through pilot impact indicators tracking exercises at the national level and through an iterative process that will involve the scientific community, Parties and other relevant stakeholders. In charting its way forward, the CST will consider, for its future work, the recommendations made by the more than two hundred scientists and experts from different disciplines that attended the 1st Scientific Conference. Parties to the Convention will review and consider further the recommendations made by scientists during a special session of the CST scheduled for 2010. One recommendation of the scientists at the Conference urges the development of a rigorous, science-based framework to monitor and assess DLDD that integrates biophysical and socio-economic methodologies. It proposes using Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), as they provide for an inclusive, participatory, trans-disciplinary approach and help decision makers to understand crucial issues, priorities and trade-offs. The 1st Scientific Conference also considered issues related to the potential of SLM to store carbon in soils and vegetation to combat global warming and the need for a scientific networking mechanism and a knowledge management system for sharing lessons learned from both successes and failures. Another key recommendation made by scientists is the establishment, via a consultative process, of an independent, international, interdisciplinary scientific mechanism to advise the UNCCD on a continuing basis. Such a mechanism should be positioned to complement and synergize mechanisms serving other UN environmental conventions and initiatives. The outcomes of the CST session at COP 9 marks a key milestone in the establishment of a consistent mechanism to strengthen science­based information for the implementation of the Convention and in the implementation of the 10-year strategic plan and framework for the implementation of the Convention (2008-2018) adopted by Parties at COP 8 in September 2007, in Madrid, Spain. The co-authors are staff members of the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. -###- About the UNCCD Developed as a result of the Rio Summit, the UNCCD is a unique instrument that has brought attention to land degradation in some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and affected populations in the world. Thirteen years after coming into force, the UNCCD benefits from the largest membership of the three Rio Conventions and is recognized as an instrument that can make an important contribution to the achievement of sustainable development and generate global benefits. For more information contact: Knowledge Management, Science and Technology Unit UNCCD Hermann-Ehlers-Str.10 D-53113 Bonn, Germany Tel: +49-228-815-2834 Fax: +49-228/-815-2898/99 Email: kmst@unccd.int http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR5.html[3/29/2011 1:15:29 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES DELHI HIGH LEVEL CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS CHANGE: TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND FROM OUR PARTNERS TRANSFER VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF NEW APPOINTMENTS October 22-23, 2009, New Delhi UPCOMING EVENTS Dr. Robert K. Dixon, Leader, Climate and Chemicals Team, represented the Global Environment Facility (GEF) at the Delhi High Level Conference on Climate NEW PUBLICATIONS Change: Technology Development and Transfer, 22-23 October 2009, New Delhi, India. The Conference was co-organized by the Indian Ministry of Investing in Land Environment and Forests and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Stewardship India's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was the keynote speaker. President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives was a special speaker. Approximately 40 Ministers of Energy/Environment/Science/Technology/Finance also participated. The Conference is a step forward in the international dialogue on technologies needed to address climate change. The GEF and its partners are responsible for implementing the UN FCCC COP14 Poznan Strategic Program on Technology GEF's efforts to combat land Transfer and Dr. Dixon offered an update on support for Technology Needs degradation and desertification globally Assessments (TNAs), Technology Transfer Pilot Projects, and dissemination of successfully demonstrated technologies and knowledge. Investing in For more information visit the conference website Energy Efficiency http://www.newdelhicctechconference.com/ The GEF Experience TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG Financing Adaptation Actions http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/CC1.html[3/29/2011 1:15:56 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES TRAINING WORKSHOP ADDRESSES CAPACITY CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS GAPS IN LDCS ON HOW TO ACCESS NAPA Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING THROUGH THE LEAST Transfer DEVELOPED COUNTRIES FUND. Training workshop addresses capacity gaps in LDCs on how to access NAPA implementation funding through the Least Developed Countries Fund. The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) is a voluntary fund which was established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Implementation of the Poznan Strategic (UNFCCC) at its seventh session in Marrakech in 2001. The Fund, which is Program on Technology Transfer: An managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), addresses the special needs Update of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which are especially vulnerable to the FROM OUR PARTNERS adverse impacts of climate change. This includes preparing and implementing National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs), which aim to identify "urgent VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF and immediate needs" of each LDC according to specific guidelines provided by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG). In doing so, the LDCF NEW APPOINTMENTS applies special expedited approval procedures, which differs from those of the GEF Trust Fund in a number of ways. UPCOMING EVENTS With the NAPA preparation phase close to completion, and the implementation phase already well underway, the LEG (in cooperation with the UNFCCC, the NEW PUBLICATIONS GEF secretariat and the GEF agencies) decided to develop a `step-by-step guide' Investing in Land for accessing funds for NAPA implementation through the LDCF. The hope is that Stewardship this guide, which is now available through the UNFCCC website, will help LDCs further streamline and expedite the implementation of their NAPAs. In conjunction with the release of this guide, the LEG is also organizing four training workshops to demonstrate in practice the principles outlined in the `step-by-step' guide. The first training workshop covered Anglophone African LDCs, and was conducted from 19-23 October, 2009 at the Blue Pearl Hotel in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Each participating country sent around three key national stakeholders actively GEF's efforts to combat land involved in their national NAPA process. The following countries were degradation and desertification globally represented at the workshop: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The GEF and its agencies were asked to participate in the weeklong workshop delivering Investing in presentations on LDCF procedures, be available for discussions and Q&A Energy Efficiency sessions, and facilitating group work on NAPA case studies. The GEF The workshop was divided into two parallel sessions: 1. Theoretical presentations Experience given by resource people followed by an open discussion and Q&A session. 2. Group work. The participants were divided into 6 `cross country' groups and were each given a NAPA case study (i.e. the NAPA document from either Liberia, http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/CC2.html[3/29/2011 1:16:29 PM] GEF The Greenline Lesotho, Sudan, or Sierra Leone). In afternoon sessions these groups were asked to develop first an implementation strategy and subsequently to define objective, outcomes and outputs for an imaginary LDCF project submission. The outcome of each group session was subsequently presented and discussed by Financing the full group. Adaptation Actions The workshop was a great learning experience for everyone involved. Country representatives had an opportunity to clarify both conceptual and practical questions associated with accessing funding through the LDCF. The GEF (and the GEF agencies), on the other hand, had a unique opportunity to meet and interact directly with its clients ­ and to gain a better understanding of the severe CC related problems faced by the LDCs. The workshop was also a unique opportunity to discuss, on a bilateral basis, some of the actual LDCF projects currently under development in each of the participating countries. The LEG plans to conduct three similar workshops during 2010 for Francophone Countries, Lusophone Countries (Portuguese speaking), and the Pacific/Asia region (English). TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG ARCHIVE SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE CREDITS Editor: Patrizia Cocca Contributing Editor: John Wickham Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, Sara Minelli http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/CC2.html[3/29/2011 1:16:29 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POZNAN STRATEGIC CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS PROGRAM ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: AN FROM OUR PARTNERS UPDATE VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF By Zhihong Zhang, Program Manager, Sr. Climate Change Specialist NEW APPOINTMENTS Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) UPCOMING EVENTS Following the approval of the global TNA project proposal by the LDCF/SCCF Council in April 2009, UNEP developed the full project document which was submitted to the GEF Secretariat and endorsed by the GEF CEO in August NEW PUBLICATIONS 2009. UNEP started implementation of the global TNA project in October 2009. Investing in Land The project will support up to 45 developing countries in preparing their TNAs and Stewardship will use methodologies of the revised TNA Handbook. Total GEF funding for this project is $9 million. The full project document is available at the GEF website: http://www.thegef.org/uploadedFiles/Focal_Areas/Climate_Change__ (PDF_DOC)/SCCF1/Global_08-18-09_Technology_Needs_Assessmt.pdf. Technology Transfer Pilot Projects GEF's efforts to combat land In response to the Call for Proposals for technology transfer pilot projects issued degradation and desertification globally in March 2009 by the GEF CEO, a total of 39 proposals were submitted to the GEF Secretariat as of September 2009. Based on several rounds of reviews, 14 proposals were selected by the GEF CEO for inclusion in the November 2009 Work Program (one of them was approved by the CEO as a medium-sized Investing in project). Total GEF resources requested for these 14 projects are $36.8 million Energy Efficiency from the technology transfer window under the Poznan Strategic Program, with The GEF additional $21.2 million requested from the GEF Trust Fund. Total GEF funding Experience amounts to $58 million, and total co-financing for these projects comes to more than $195 million. The technologies targeted by these projects are diverse and innovative. They include technologies on renewable energy (solar, biomass, wind, hydrogen storage of renewable energy, and wave), energy efficiency (insulation materials and efficient and HFC-free appliances), transport ("green" trucks), composting, Financing carbon capture and storage from sugar fermentation, and membrane drip Adaptation irrigation (for adaptation). The proposals come from 16 countries in Africa, Asia Actions and the Pacific, Latin America, and Europe and Central Asia. The project proposals are available on the GEF website: http://thegef.org/interior_right.aspx? id=17146. http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/CC3.html[3/29/2011 1:16:42 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES PROJETO SERTÃO: APPLYING THE AGRO- CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS ECOLOGICAL APPROACH TO ENSURE FROM OUR PARTNERS SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SEMI-ARID BRAZILIAN VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF NORTHEAST J. Quintana, Programme Manager, IFAD; F. Jalfim, Project Coordinator, PDHC; L. C. NEW APPOINTMENTS Mattos, Specialist in Environmental Services, PDHC; and I. Cossio, Country Programme Manager, IFAD UPCOMING EVENTS An alliance for sustainable rural development NEW PUBLICATIONS Investing in Land IFAD, a specialized UN agency, is the only international financial institution Stewardship mandated to reduce poverty and food insecurity in rural areas of developing countries. Its defining strengths are the promotion of community-based natural resource management, especially water and land, and targeting of the world's poorest people. IFAD became a GEF executing agency in 2005, with specialization in land degradation, to assist in the provision of global environmental benefits and the promotion of sustainable development in arid and semiarid zones. GEF's efforts to combat land degradation and desertification globally On its part, the Dom Helder Camara Project (PDHC) is a joint endeavour of IFAD and the Government of Brazil, through its Ministry for Agrarian Development, to fight poverty in the semi-arid Brazilian Northeast region (Sertão). The project supports national efforts for agrarian reform in 6 states, promoting sustainable Investing in agriculture based in social inclusion and wide participation. PDHC and IFAD Energy Efficiency prepared in 2005 a complementary proposal for GEF financing, Projeto Sertão, The GEF centred in the promotion of sustainable rural development. The project started Experience activities in 2007. Projeto Sertão: Fighting poverty, managing sustainable agro- ecosystems The objective of the Sustainable Land Management in the Semiarid Region Project, known as Projeto Sertão, is to strengthen and complement the PDHC Financing with an environmental approach, seeking to generate environmental benefits Adaptation compatible with the promotion of rural development and sustainable livelihoods. Actions This project strategy aims to demonstrate the reconciliation of productive activities with the preservation and proper use of natural resources in the Caatinga, notably soil, water and biodiversity (box 1). At the same time, Projeto Sertão is fed by the PDHC strategy, seeking to implement changes in the http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/Partner1.html[3/29/2011 1:17:06 PM] GEF The Greenline relationship between the State and civil society regarding territorial approaches. As a result of this interaction, the objective of Projeto Sertão is based on the promotion and implementation of agro-ecology, considered as a technological reference for sustainable agricultural production, as a valid tool for sustainable land management, and as a methodological reference for the promotion of new, and more inclusive, social relations (box 2). Applying the agro-ecology principles in the semi-arid environment The Projeto Sertão`s agro-ecological approach towards smallholder farmers goes beyond the design of more sustainable and drought resistant agro-ecosystems. In addition to the promotion of an agriculture based on low dependence of external inputs, the project is developing new forms of processing, commercialization and consumption of agricultural products which reduce the distance between farmers and consumers. This approach is at the same time helping to achieve several global environmental benefits, from enhanced soil and water management, to ARCHIVE reduction in biodiversity loss, better control of water source pollution, improved sequestration of soil carbon and reduction in GHG emissions. SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE Agro-ecological systems increase productivity, enhance resilience to external shocks and support diversification (crops, fodder, timber, etc), thus having a CREDITS Editor: Patrizia Cocca special added value in combating the rural exodus that affects the small farmers Contributing Editor: John Wickham during severe drought periods that cyclically affect the Brazilian Semiarid Region. Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. To meet its objectives, the project supports capacity building with extensive use Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, of participatory field trials and peasants exchanges. Through this strategy, it has Sara Minelli been possible to broaden the farmers' knowledge about the agro-ecosystems' functions and services, increasing in this way their motivation, and capacities, for sustainable management. The Projeto Sertão agro-ecological approach has been implemented involving farming families through a strategic and integrated action among different actors (NGOs, universities and research centres, rural extension institutions, etc). Complementing this learning process, the project has strengthened the dynamic of social organization in the local, municipal, territorial, state and national levels. This increases, on the one hand, access to the available public policies for the peasants, and, on the other hand, creates references to advocate for new policies that take into consideration ecological aspects. Towards social and ecological sustainability The climatic characteristics, geographical dimensions and complex social context of the Brazilian Sertão difficult the generation of environmental gains in the short- term, and does not facilitate the sustainability of those achievements. To address these challenges, Projeto Sertão, with its focus on environmental goals, has been implemented jointly with the Dom Helder Camara Project, which intends to reduce rural poverty, creating synergies that will make this joint venture more durable ecologically and better accepted socially. The success of the project will be also possible due to the combination of participatory learning processes, to be carried out within the agro-ecological approach, and the strengthening of a large network of social organizations that includes representatives from small farmers, NGOs, rural labor unions, social movements, and governmental organizations. Together, they have negotiated an agenda of common interests which results in collective actions and attainment. Although the project is still in its second year of implementation, preliminary assessments show that the approach is being successful, and widely supported by beneficiaries and main stakeholders in the Sertão region. These encouraging signs may lead to the preparation of a second phase, which will build upon the achievements and learnings from this pilot experience, scaling up to include other areas and partners in the Sertão. Contacts; Jesús Quintana, IFAD, j.quintana@ifad.org Felipe Jalfim, PDHC, fjalfim@dom.gov.br http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/Partner1.html[3/29/2011 1:17:06 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES REHABILITATION OF DETERIORATED LANDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: EXAMPLE OF AN FROM OUR PARTNERS SGP KYRGYZSTAN PROJECT AUTHOR VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF NEW APPOINTMENTS Land degradation is one of the focal areas that the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) is working on. To date the programme has supported 1368 UPCOMING EVENTS land degradation projects and invested more than $35 million dollars in supporting grantees across all regions in their efforts to combat land degradation. NEW PUBLICATIONS Investing in Land The following is an example of a project in the Zinder region of Kyrgyzstan where Stewardship SGP supported the reinforcement of core community capacities in their fight against desertification and soil quality deterioration. GEF's efforts to combat land degradation and desertification globally Investing in Energy Efficiency The GEF Experience Financing Adaptation Actions http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/Partner2.html[3/29/2011 1:17:19 PM] GEF The Greenline The commune Urbaine de Zinder, is a region that accounts for approximately 22% of the total population of Kyrgyzstan, where the increased deterioration of natural resources has decreased the production potential and income generation activities of its inhabitants. However, through the "Support project for the reclamation and management of pasturage in Dadin Sarki, Angoual Maloumeye and Angoual Dan-Boursa" the community was able to successfully rehabilitate deteriorated lands resulting in both environmental and socio-economic benefits. The project pursued three specific objectives: (i) Reinforce the abilities of the core communities in fighting against desertification and soil quality deterioration; (ii) Rehabilitate deteriorated land reserves and pasturage fields; and (iii) Put into place a dynamic monitoring system. The project provided support for the following actions: ARCHIVE Training of committee members and villagers on techniques of soil rehabilitation and stabilization, pruning and tree care SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE Establishment of three managerial committees. The committee is composed of six members chosen by the participating community, three of which are women in support of SGP's CREDITS Editor: Patrizia Cocca strong gender equity policy. Contributing Editor: John Wickham Training of nursery staff Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. Production of planting materials Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Pruning and maintenance of at least 100 hectares of natural Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, vegetation Sara Minelli Rehabilitation of 100 hectares of deteriorated lands Planting of cover vegetation especially Acacia senegal Planting at least 32,000 trees Implementation of a monitoring system The project was able to contribute to global environmental benefits such us the improvement of biological diversity, carbon sequestration, and the fight against desertification. At the local level, the environmental benefits of the project were the rehabilitation of deteriorated lands, increased availability of wood for heating and forage for herds, improvement in wildlife habitats, and increased soil fertility. In addition, the project improved the livelihoods and quality of life of the community by increasing revenues for the population through the sales of wood and animal feed, and by creating a leisure spot for the community. Finally, the project also reduced the rural exodus of able-bodied workers. http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/Partner2.html[3/29/2011 1:17:19 PM] GEF The Greenline This GEF Small Grant Project is an extraordinary example of the transformational power that comes from supporting communities in their quest for sustainable development. TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/Partner2.html[3/29/2011 1:17:19 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 FPO HOME LETTER FROM THE CEO NATURAL RESOURCES VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL KNOWLEDGE CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT: IMPLICATIONS AT THE LOCAL, FROM OUR PARTNERS NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVELS VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF M. Seely, N. Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger NEW APPOINTMENTS Desert Research Foundation of Namibia UPCOMING EVENTS (Summary of a presentation made at the first Scientific Conference of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) of the UN Convention to Combat NEW PUBLICATIONS Desertification (UNCCD) at the Conference of Parties (COP9)) Investing in Land Based on the Dryland Science for Development Consortium's (DSD) Working Stewardship Group 3 Paper prepared for the first Scientific Conference of the CST at COP9, knowledge management is defined as including: identifying existing knowledge (including data and information); new knowledge generation or production; documentation and storage; as well as sharing communicating and disseminating knowledge. One of the challenges facing the combating of desertification includes the situation that the scientific community has been conducting research for GEF's efforts to combat land decades while little has improved amongst rural communities faced with degradation and desertification globally decreasing productivity of degraded lands. This is partially attributable to the results of science not being accessible to or being used by those who are directly addressing desertification, essentially a Investing in failure of knowledge management. Explanations for this failure include differing Energy Efficiency incentives and benefits for the scientific and the land manager and user The GEF communities and a tendency for scientists to consider IT, websites and other Experience electronic media as sufficient for knowledge management. This is particularly pertinent for Africa where development has not benefited extensively from knowledge management. Based on examples from Namibia and the SADC region, experience has shown that addressing desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) depends on action from grass roots to national and international level. Rural communities, government institutions, researchers, development agents and policy makers Financing need to communicate while there is usually no mutual platform, as suggested Adaptation below, to facilitate communication. Actions http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/Partner3.html[3/29/2011 1:17:44 PM] GEF The Greenline img A variety of knowledge management platforms have been tested under differing circumstances in Namibia. These include Basin Management Committees, an approach to enhance understanding, management and decision making with ARCHIVE respect to land, water and other natural resources within a water basin. Forums for Integrated Resource Management (FIRMs) represent an approach designed SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE to ensure that rural farmers living on communally-managed farmlands are in charge of their own development. This involves collaborative visioning, planning, CREDITS implementation and monitoring in which the relevant Community Based Editor: Patrizia Cocca Organisation takes the lead in organising, planning and monitoring of their own Contributing Editor: John Wickham Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. activities and coordinates interventions of service providers and other partners in Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. order to achieve the community's goals. Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, Sara Minelli These approaches can be supported by community driven Local Level Monitoring (LLM) in which indicators are identified and developed by FIRM members; measured by farmers; interpreted and disseminated by farmers; and used to inform decision making by the individual farmer, members of the FIRM and even extension. The results of LLM can be communicated more widely, for example, for national drought or flood warning and preparation and for climate proofing. LLM may contribute to a combination of local and scientific knowledge. On an entirely different level, a combination of scientific and local knowledge may be interpreted, for example as Environmental Updates in Namibia, for dissemination to parliamentarians and other high level decision makers. Knowledge management on behalf of DLDD can be well supported by `boundary organisations' that serve as the gathering, interpretation and synthesis platform for exchange of local to international scientific knowledge, the translator of research findings referred to in Fig 1 above. They may serve as learning organizations for increased capacity situated at the interface amongst, inter alia, policy makers, service providers, land users, researchers and development agents. Effective boundary organisations consequently contribute to: more effectively addressing and responding to DLDD, climate variability and climate change while ensuring greater transparency and supporting good governance. The following model (the dots on the map representing Agricultural Development Centres) has been tested and is partially functioning in Namibia. http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/Partner3.html[3/29/2011 1:17:44 PM] GEF The Greenline In conclusion, and in agreement with the Working Group 3 paper, it is recommended to encourage and support self-sustaining communication platforms and boundary organizations to enhance knowledge management on all levels and to strengthen human and institutional capacities to address DLDD. TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/Partner3.html[3/29/2011 1:17:44 PM] GEF The Greenline LIFE IN THE GEF.....WHERE LAND MATTERS By Mohamed I Bakarr, Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF It has been eight months already since I joined the GEF Secretariat. I initially felt like a young tree seedling that finds itself under a thick forest canopy and must push its tender roots into the ground to hold firm so it can grow branches to catch the rays of sunlight filtering through. Unlike that seedling, however, my tall trees in the canopy are an amazing group of talented individuals who have helped me to navigate the complex labyrinth of a very large GEF family that includes implementing agencies and Secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. As a result, I have settled Mohamed Bakarr in very quickly and must now keep up with the energy and pace of work, especially with the transition from one replenishment phase to another already well underway. My passion for natural resource management has indeed made it more exciting for me to be part of a place where investment in land matters. How GEF financing to combat land degradation evolved through time has made a huge difference in creating awareness about the issue as a global challenge. It was extremely valuable for me to join the Secretariat at a time when the magnitude of that challenge is now more apparent than ever because of climate change. And with growing concern about feeding a bourgeoning world population, demand for innovations to sustainably cultivate and manage land for food will increase. Combating land degradation is about sustainable land management, which makes it a top priority for mainstream development financing. At the same time, the value-added of GEF investment for generating global environmental benefits in production systems is gaining momentum. Sustainable land management has multiple dimensions ranging from biophysical, social, economic, political and institutional. The GEF family matches this complexity with a wealth of experience and diversity of expertise at many different levels. In addition, the GEF also obtains guidance from world class scientists on its Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel. These opportunities have helped to make a compelling case for increased allocation of resources in the land degradation focal area during the fifth GEF replenishment. The focal area strategy emphasizes the need for integrated management of natural resources in agro- ecosystems, which positions the GEF to effectively help developing countries tackle land degradation through innovative science-based options that also generate global environmental benefits. As a developing country national, I am well aware that agriculture, rangeland and forest production all play an important role in underpinning economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. I am also aware that these sectors often enjoy significant financial support from multi-lateral and bilateral sources. Unfortunately, adequate financing is seldom directed toward the need to safeguard nature's services ­ water, biodiversity, carbon stocks, nutrient cycling - http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/VoiceGEFstaff.html[3/29/2011 1:18:16 PM] GEF The Greenline in production landscapes. These services, however, underpin the livelihoods of millions of people who depend directly on land. Being a part of the GEF means an opportunity to help countries leverage financing for ensuring the sustainability of these services. The GEF financing also helps countries to fulfill their obligations under the UN Conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification. The opportunity to review and improve projects for GEF financing is very rewarding. And there are times when I have even found my specialization in the application of tropical mycorrhizas in production landscapes becoming handy. I am therefore looking forward to an exciting time during the fifth GEF replenishment phase. http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/VoiceGEFstaff.html[3/29/2011 1:18:16 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 NEW FOCAL POINTS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS Country Name Category Nomination Date Afghanistan Mr. Samiullah Political Focal Point 28-Jul-09 HOME Ibrahimi LETTER FROM THE CEO Albania Mr. Fatmir Mediu Political Focal Point 29-Oct-09 NATURAL RESOURCES Bhutan Mrs. Kunzang C. Political Focal Point 5-Jun-09 Namgyel CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS Bulgaria Ms. Ivelina Political Focal Point 9-Nov-09 FROM OUR PARTNERS Vasileva VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF Burkina Faso Mr. Mamadou Operational Focal Point 10-Jun-09 Honadia NEW APPOINTMENTS China Ms. Fangyu Liu Operational Focal Point 19-Aug-09 UPCOMING EVENTS China Mr. Shaolin Yang Council Member/Donor 30-Oct-09 NEW PUBLICATIONS Participants (Replinishment) Investing in Land China Ms. Junhong Alternate Member 30-Oct-09 Stewardship Chang Comoros Mrs. Koulthoum Alternate Member/Operational 8-Sep-09 Djamadar Focal Point Comoros His Excellency Political Focal Point 11-Sep-09 Nadhoim Idi GEF's efforts to combat land degradation and desertification globally Congo His Excellency Political Focal Point 6-Nov-09 Henri Djombo Costa Rica Mr. Jorge Political Focal Point 28-Oct-09 Investing in Rodriguez Quiros Energy Efficiency The GEF Costa Rica Ms. Maria Operational Focal Point 28-Oct-09 Experience Vanessa Zamora Gonzalez Czech Mr. Jiri Hlavacek Political Focal 17-Sep-09 Republic Point/Operational Focal Point Dominican Ms. Isabel Operational Focal Point 15-Oct-09 Republic Guzman Financing Adaptation Egypt Mr. Khalil Mootaz Political Focal Point 27-Sep-09 Actions El Salvador Mr. Herman Rosa Operational Focal Point 26-Jun-09 Chavez Equatorial Mr. Anastasio Political Focal Point 25-Jun-09 http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/fp-cm.html[3/29/2011 1:18:36 PM] GEF The Greenline Guinea Asumu Mum Gambia Mr. Momodou Council Member/Operational 25-Oct-09 Sarr Focal Point Guinea- Mr. Barros Bacar Political Focal Point 29-Jun-09 Bissau Banjai Guyana Dr. Indarjit Operational Focal Point 1-Jul-09 Ramdass Haiti Mr. Daniel Brisard Operational Focal Point 27-Aug-09 Japan Mr. Hiroaki Ichiba Donor Participants 6-May-09 (Replinishment) Japan Mr. Masaru Alternate Member/Donor 7-Aug-09 Oshima Participants (Replinishment) ARCHIVE Kazakhstan Mr. Nurgali Political Focal Point 23-Jul-09 Ashimov SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE Kazakhstan Mrs. Eldana Operational Focal Point 23-Jul-09 CREDITS Sadvokassova Editor: Patrizia Cocca Contributing Editor: John Wickham Moldova Mr. Gheorghe Political Focal 28-Oct-09 Contributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J. Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M. Salaru Point/Operational Focal Point Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger, Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp, Morocco Mr. Rachid Firadi Alternate Member 22-Oct-09 Sara Minelli Netherlands Mr. Simon Smits Council Member/Donor 3-Jul-09 Participants (Replinishment) Nicaragua Ms. Juanita Political Focal Point 11-Jun-09 Argenal Sandoval Pakistan Mr. Kamran Ali Political Focal 18-Jul-09 Qureshi Point/Operational Focal Point Panama Mr. Raul Pinedo Alternate Member 17-Sep-09 Panama Mr. Javier Arias Political Focal Point 17-Sep-09 Panama Mr. Epimenides Operational Focal Point 17-Sep-09 Diaz Papua New H.E. Robert G. Council Member/Political Focal 4-May-09 Guinea Aisi Point Peru Ms. Rosario Political Focal Point 26-Oct-09 Gomez Gamarra Philippines Ms. Analiza Alternate Member/Operational 4-May-09 Rebuelta Teh Focal Point Samoa Mr. Operational Focal Point 10-Sep-09 Taulealeausumai Malua Suriname Mrs. Muriel Held Political Focal Point 4-Sep-09 Sweden Ms. Caroline Operational Focal Point 8-Jun-09 Dahlbom TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/fp-cm.html[3/29/2011 1:18:36 PM] GEF The Greenline RYU, SEUNGMIN Intern / Climate Change Team sryu@thegef.org In 2009, Korean government introduced "International Environment Expert Training Program (IEETP)" fully funded by the Ministry of Environment, which consists of three-month training focused on technical, scientific and political aspects of climate change at the Yonsei University in Seoul. The academic portion of the program is followed by a six-month overseas internship at an international organization, i.e. UNDP, UNEP, UNFCCC, GEF, OECD, ASEAN, etc. Having completed the initial part of the training in Korea, Ms. Seungmin Ryu joined the GEF Ms. Seungmin Ryu Secretariat for her internship, where she will work mainly on renewable energy issues from 8th October 2009 to 7th January 2010. Prior to joining the GEF, she worked for Veolia Environmental Services (VES) where she was responsible to develop and implement strategies in waste to renewable energy business in Korea. Before VES, she served for Environmental Resources Management where she participated in the Corporate Advisory Services for consulting environmental business in Korea. Seungmin holds a M.Eng. in Environmental Engineering from the Chungnam National University, Korea and also taken courses on Financial Analysis and Intermediate Grade Accounting." http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/VoiceGEFstaff2.html[3/29/2011 1:18:53 PM] GEF The Greenline MIKKO ANTTI OLLIKAINEN Adaptation Officer, GEF mollikainen@worldbank.org Mikko Ollikainen, a Finnish national, has joined the Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat as an Adaptation Officer on October 19, 2009. Prior to joining the GEF, Mikko worked in the World Bank Carbon Finance Unit as a Carbon Finance Specialist. In the CFU he functioned as a deal manager for afforestation/ reforestation Clean Development Mechanism projects in Africa in the BioCarbon Fund portfolio, including the first African UNFCCC-approved A/R CDM project in Uganda, registered by the CDM Executive Board in August 2009. In addition to assigned projects, he worked in Mikko Ollikainen the development of the BioCF portfolio, including new areas such as agricultural soil carbon. Before his assignment in the CFU, Mikko worked for two years in the World Bank reconstruction program of the Indonesian province of Aceh, following the 2004 tsunami, supervising and implementing projects in the fields of environment and natural resources management. Mikko worked for two years in Beijing, China, as a country representative of an environment consulting firm and as the coordinator of an EU-funded policy research project prior to joining the World Bank. Mikko holds a M.Sc. degree in ecology and biodiversity research from the University of Turku, Finland, and a diploma in international trade from the University of Tampere, Finland. http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/VoiceGEFstaff3.html[3/29/2011 1:19:11 PM] GEF The Greenline NOVEMBER 2009 UPCOMING EVENTS Date Event Venue Nov. CBD - Eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open- Kuala Lumpur. 9-15 ended Working Group on Access and Malaysia - TBC HOME Benefit-sharing (WG ABS 8) LETTER FROM THE CEO Nov. GEF BBL Australia's Contribution to the Washington NATURAL RESOURCES 16 Group on Earth Observation's "Forest DC Carbon Tracking" Initiative CLIMATE CHANGE & CHEMICALS Nov. GEF BBL - infoDev's CLIMATE Washington FROM OUR PARTNERS 19 TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM DC VOICE OF THE GEF STAFF Dec. UNFCCC COP-15 Copenhagen, 7-18 Denmark NEW APPOINTMENTS UPCOMING EVENTS NEW PUBLICATIONS Investing in Land Stewardship TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE GREENLINE -- CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS OR INFORMATION SEND AN EMAIL TO PCOCCA@THEGEF.ORG GEF's efforts to combat land degradation and desertification globally Investing in Energy Efficiency The GEF Experience Financing Adaptation Actions http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/events.html[3/29/2011 1:19:31 PM]