GEF Invests USD 52.8 Million in UNEP-Led Environmental Projects Globally

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he Global Environment Facility (GEF) has announced USD 52.8 million for four new UN Environment Programme (UNEP)–led projects during its 70th Council meeting. The funding will support practical solutions to some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges, including restoring critical ecosystems, expanding clean mobility and strengthening global climate transparency. 

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen welcomed the announcement, saying: “These new investments demonstrate what multilateral environmental cooperation can deliver when we combine ambition with action. Coming just one week after UNEA-7, where Member States rallied around advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet, this support from the GEF helps translate that global resolve into concrete results. From wetlands and oceans to clean transport and climate transparency, these projects will support countries protect their natural capital, reduce emissions and pollution, and strengthen resilience for communities on the frontlines of environmental change.”

GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez emphasized the importance of continued ambition, stating: “The GEF and UNEP have a long track record of helping countries reverse environmental decline and build resilience. These new projects are exactly the kind of integrated, high-impact initiatives we need—linking climate, nature and pollution and ensuring benefits for people and ecosystems alike. We look forward to deepening this collaboration and scaling solutions that deliver real change on the ground.”

The new GEF-funded initiatives include -

  • Establishing Sustainable Wetland Management Cornerstones in Madagascar – USD 7.2 million
    This project will safeguard and restore Madagascar’s fragile wetlands to protect biodiversity, build climate resilience and support sustainable livelihoods. It will enhance sustainable management across over 655,000 hectares of wetlands and marine ecosystems, restore 24,000 hectares of mangroves, benefit 60,000 people and mitigate more than an estimated 41 million greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative provides robust climate action, protects nature at scale and helps curb ecosystem pollution and degradation.
  • Upscaling Integrated Electric Mobility Systems – Addendum 2 – USD 2 million
    This investment will help Madagascar accelerate its transition to zero-emission electric mobility. By strengthening policies, institutions and technical capacities, the programme drives climate action through transport decarbonization, reduces vehicle-related pollution and promotes sustainable mobility systems that lessen pressure on natural ecosystems.
  • Enhancing Policy Coherence for a Sustainable Blue Economy in Indonesia – USD 9 million
    This initiative will harmonize governance across Indonesia’s marine and coastal sectors to support a sustainable blue economy. It will strengthen sustainable management of 1.42 million hectares of marine habitat, restore 50,000 hectares of mangroves and seagrass and mitigate a potential 2.19 million greenhouse gas emissions over 20 years. With 200,000 direct beneficiaries, the project combines nature action, blue-carbon-driven climate action and reduced land–sea pollution through coherent planning.
  • Preparation of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and Combined NC/BTRs to the UNFCCC – USD 34.6 million
    This global initiative will enhance climate transparency in 25 countries, supporting the preparation and submission of 50 national climate reports under the Paris Agreement. By strengthening institutional capacity and long-term climate governance, the project boosts national climate action, improves reporting related to nature and pollution and supports sustained engagement in global transparency processes.

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