We, collectively, are failing to protect the global commons

But we are failing, collectively, to protect the global commons

We have reached or exceeded the carrying capacity of several of the earth’s ecosystems. The next decade presents challenges unprecedented in the history of humankind

Credit: Azote Images/Stockholm Resilience Centre

Pushing Planetary Boundaries

Greenland surface melt measurements from three satellites

Source: NASA, 2012

July 8, 2012 July 12, 2012

Pressures on our planet

“The population problem has no technical solution; it requires a fundamental extension in morality”The Tragedy of the Commons, Garrett Hardin

“If all herders take individually rational economic decisions, the common will be depleted or even destroyed, to the detriment of all” – Garrett Hardin, The Tragedy of Commons, 1968

For that which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it. Every one thinks chiefly of his own, hardly at all of the common interest; and only when he is himself concerned as an individual. For besides other considerations, everybody is more inclined to neglect the duty which he expects another to fulfill.

Aristotle (384-322 BC)

The Global Environment FacilityBorn in the Spirit of the Earth Summit in Rio 1992….

The Global Environment Facility (GEF)

• Established in 1991 • Unites 182 member governments • Focal Areas: – Biodiversity– Climate Change– International Waters– Land Degradation– Chemicals (POPs, Ozone Layer)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF)

• The financial mechanism of the main multilateral environmental agreements

• The largest public funder worldwide of projects aiming to generate global environmental benefits

• USD 11.5 billion allocated• USD 57 billion in co-financing • Over 3,215 projects• GEF SGP: Over 16,030 small grants to CSOs,

totaling USD 653.2 million

GEF Funding by Environmental Focal AreaGEF - 1 GEF - 2

GEF - 4

31%

32%

12%

4%

15%

2%5% Biodiversity

Climate Change

International Waters

Land Degradation

Multi-Focal

Ozone Depleting Substances

Persistent Organic Pollutants

The GEF support in the Danube not only turned it into a model of integrated river basin management, but also backed up the political stability of the whole Danube region

GEF is supporting protection of vast sections of the Amazon Region

As the experience in China demonstrates, only a collective approach focusing on the wider problem of integrated ecosystem management is the key to success over the long haul

Global Partnerships for efficient lighting

GEF helps to promote energy efficiency in China

The GEF proudly supports geothermal energy in the African Rift Valley

GlobalCommons

There can be no separation between development and environment, as they are co-dependent.

Healthy ecosystems are essential to secure human health, food, energy and water, and ultimately sustainable development.

Such ideas have yet to be fully mainstreamed and their adoption continues to be hampered by tough barriers in the political decision-making process.

The GEF is and must remain a champion of the Global Commons

Goals for the Global Environment…reaffirmed 20 years later as the leading environmental finance institution

20 Years later – a celebration?

Under such pressures, incremental environmental strategies alone will simply not suffice. These changes compel the GEF to equip itself to promote

Transformational Change

The GEF is uniquely positioned to catalyze the transformational change necessary to help turn around the worrisome trends in the global environment.

However, the protection of the global commons, which is the GEF’s primary mandate, is not always a critical priority in international politics.

The proliferation of funds is complicating the international financial landscape, and fiscal pressures confronting developed countries will remain for the foreseeable

future.

GEF 2020 and Beyond

Thank you

THANK YOU