GEF Global 37648 onClimate Change Action GEF SUPPORT FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE To help countries adapt to the adverse impacts of Parties' (COP) guidance to the GEF has empha- climate change, the Global Environment Facility sized the need to move from preparation to (GEF) supports projects that reduce countries' vul- implementation. The GEF has responded by initi- nerability to climate change impacts and helps ating three different paths to support adaptation them build adaptive capacity. activities, which are currently operational. Consistent with the evolving UNFCCC guidance, Based on guidance from the United Nations projects supported by these three avenues seek to Framework Convention on Climate Change integrate adaptation policies and measures in all (UNFCCC), the GEF has initially adopted a three- sectors of development, including water, agricul- stage approach to adaptation: ture, energy, health, and vulnerable ecosystems. s Stage I: planning through studies to identify THE STRATEGIC PRIORITY TO vulnerabilities, policy options, and capacity PILOT AN OPERATIONAL building. APPROACH TO ADAPTATION s Stage II: identifying measures to prepare for The objective of the Strategic Priority on adaptation and further capacity building. Adaptation (SPA) is to reduce vulnerability and to s Stage III: promoting measures to facilitate increase adaptive capacity to the adverse effects of adaptation, including insurance and other climate change in the focal areas in which the GEF interventions. works. The SPA, as part of the GEF Trust Fund, will support pilot and demonstration projects that As it has become more apparent that global address local adaptation needs and generate warming is occurring, the Conference of the global environmental benefits in all GEF focal GEF Assistance to Address Adaptation SPA: LDCF: SCCF: GEF Trust Fund Least Developed Special Climate Strategic Priority Country Fund Change Fund Piloting an Operational (preparation and Top Priority to Approach to implementation Adaptation Adaptation of NAPAs) areas. Projects that generate both local (develop- their completion. The final deliberations on the ment-focused) and global benefits will be eligible LDCF were adopted at the Eleventh Conference under the SPA, if their benefits are primarily global of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Montreal. In in nature. An initial $50 million pilot is ongoing and addition to the remaining $108 million, the GEF is several projects are under preparation. expected to mobilize additional funds to imple- ment the projects prioritized by the NAPAs. LDCF: LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRY FUND SCCF: SPECIAL CLIMATE In response to UNFCCC guidance from the 2001 CHANGE FUND Seventh Conference of the Parties, the GEF The SCCF, established in response to guidance established the Least Developed Country Fund from the Conference of the Parties to the (LDCF) to address the extreme vulnerability and UNFCCC, was originally aimed at supporting limited adaptive capacity of Least Developed activities in the following areas: Countries (LDCs). (a) Adaptation If a proposed project principally benefits such (b Technology transfer development sectors as health, agriculture, (c) Energy, transport, industry, agriculture, water, or infrastructure, it will have access to GEF forestry, and waste management funding through the new funds established (d) Economic diversification under the Climate Convention: the LDCF and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF). Adaptation activities to address the adverse impacts of climate change have top priority for funding LDCF initially supported preparation of National under the SCCF. To date, guidance has only been Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs). To received concerning adaptation and technology date, a majority of LDCs have received funds to transfer, including technologies for adaptation. prepare their NAPAs, many of which are now close to completion. NAPAs aim to identify prior- The GEF Council approved a proposed program ity activities that address the urgent and immedi- outlining plans to use SCCF resources in ate climate change adaptation needs of the LDCs. November 2004. Subsequently, the GEF The NAPAs conclude with a list of prioritized proj- Secretariat mobilized an initial amount of $60 ect profiles to be subsequently implemented with million in pledges, of which $55 million are support from the LDCF. allocated for adaptation and $5 million for technology transfer. Voluntary contributions to the LDCF currently amount to $120 million, of which about $12 mil- The GEF will continue to mobilize additional lion has been allocated to NAPA preparation. resources for the SCCF. Eight adaptation projects During the Ninth Conference of the Parties, that have been already approved under the SCCF UNFCCC called for the fund to support the imple- in the Andes, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guyana, Kenya, mentation of NAPAs as soon as possible after Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. FOR MORE INFORMATION Global Environment Facility 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 USA www.theGEF.org Tel: 202-473-0508 Fax: 202-522-3240 September 2007