gef_fundorfolly_1993-6e93a33e034c9216.pdf

This research paper by Donald M. Goldberg of the Center for International Environmental Law examines the structure, funding, and operational challenges of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) during its three-year pilot phase (1990-1993). The author highlights concerns from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and developing countries regarding the lack of transparency, democratic governance, and the potential for 'greenwashing' World Bank projects.

• The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) was established in November 1990 as a three-year pilot program with an initial funding commitment of SDR 1 billion (approximately $1.3 billion US). It focuses on four primary global environmental threats: global warming, ozone depletion, loss of biodiversity, and pollution of international waters.
• The GEF operates under a tripartite agreement between the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The World Bank serves as the administrator and manages investment projects; UNDP handles pre-investment studies, technical assistance, and small grants; and UNEP provides environmental expertise and ensures consistency with treaties.
• NGOs have criticized the GEF for a lack of transparency and public participation. A specific concern is that because approximately 80% of GEF investment projects are linked to regular World Bank loans, there is a risk that environmentally poor World Bank projects are "greenwashed" by adding a GEF component.
• The GEF's funding structure consists of three parts: the Global Environmental Trust Fund (GET) with roughly $860 million from 25 countries; $300 million in coordinated bilateral financing from six countries (U.S., Japan, Australia, Belgium, Canada, and Switzerland); and a $200 million fund administered by UNEP for the Montreal Protocol. General funding is typically allocated as 40-50% for global warming, 30-40% for biodiversity, and 20% for international waters.
• Developing countries and NGOs face significant barriers to participation in the GEF. Membership for countries requires a contribution of SDR $4 million, which excludes many developing nations. Additionally, NGO participation is restricted, as meetings of the Participants are closed to them, unlike the proceedings of the Montreal Protocol or the climate and biodiversity conventions.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). gef_fundorfolly_1993-6e93a33e034c9216.pdf. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/GEF_FundorFolly_1993.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. gef_fundorfolly_1993-6e93a33e034c9216.pdf. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/GEF_FundorFolly_1993.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=gef_fundorfolly_1993-6e93a33e034c9216.pdf |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/GEF_FundorFolly_1993.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndgeffundorfolly19936e93a33e034c9216pdf, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{gef\_fundorfolly\_1993-6e93a33e034c9216.pdf}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/GEF_FundorFolly_1993.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }