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The report synthesizes evidence from the GCF-1 period, finding that while the institution has established its functional architecture, it continues to struggle with slow accreditation processes, limited direct access for national entities, and poor quality in results measurement and reporting. It highlights a lack of a formal accreditation strategy and persistent policy gaps at the Board level. While the portfolio is growing, most projects are still in early implementation stages, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded existing delays. The report identifies the need for a more strategic approach to paradigm shifts and the mobilization of private sector finance, noting that current results reporting lacks credibility due to inconsistent methodologies.

The GCF Secretariat exceeded several 2021 targets, allocating USD 1.2 billion in a single board meeting and reaching a total portfolio size of USD 10 billion. Key achievements include increasing the share of direct access entity (DAE) programming and reducing the time from project approval to first disbursement. However, the Secretariat faces significant capacity constraints in processing a pipeline of over 150 accreditation and re-accreditation applications, and the simplified approval process (SAP) remains the only programming target not met.

The GCF is developing its own Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) to replace the interim IFC Performance Standards. The proposed framework expands from eight to ten standards, adding dedicated standards for Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure (ESS 9) and Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation (ESS 10). Key updates across all standards include a shift from a 'do-no-harm' to a 'do-good' approach, emphasizing the generation of positive co-benefits, the integration of circular economy principles, and a stronger focus on human rights, gender equality, and intersectionality. The document outlines specific structural and content changes for each standard, including new requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosure, the use of a precautionary approach, and enhanced protections for Indigenous Peoples and vulnerable groups.

WWF supports the goal of conserving 30% of the world's land, inland waters, and seas by 2030, provided the target prioritizes equitable governance, Indigenous rights, and ecological connectivity. The organization argues that the 30x30 target must be part of a broader strategy that sustainably manages the remaining 70% of the planet and addresses the direct drivers of biodiversity loss. WWF advocates for the inclusion of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and the implementation of social and environmental safeguards to prevent the displacement of local communities.

The proposal seeks USD 301,717 over 12 months to help the Banco de Desarrollo de Ecuador B.P. (BDE) overcome fiduciary and technical gaps required for GCF accreditation. Implemented by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the project focuses on updating environmental and social risk management systems, developing gender and indigenous peoples policies, and establishing a coordination mechanism to align BDE's activities with Ecuador's National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Climate Financing Strategy (EFIC). It also includes regional knowledge sharing with other development banks in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The document details the environmental and social safeguard compliance for the uThukela MPA Ecosystem Based Management Project in South Africa. It outlines the disclosure of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), the Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and the Grievance Mechanism, ensuring accessibility in both English and isiZulu for local communities. The project focuses on the protection and restoration of ecosystems in the uThukela Banks Marine Protected Area and associated estuarine zones to reduce climate-related socio-ecological risk.

The document is a safeguards report form for the CSICAP project in Colombia, managed by the Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF). It confirms that the project is classified as Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Category B and lists the disclosure dates and links for the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Gender Assessment (GA), and Gender Action Plan (GAP).

The document details the disclosure of environmental and social safeguards for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project in the Philippines. It identifies the project's ESS category as 'A' due to involuntary resettlement, and lists the specific reports, such as the Resettlement Plan and Initial Environmental Examination, that have been made available to the public and affected stakeholders in Davao.

The GCF Secretariat's 2022 work programme focuses on six priorities: enhancing country-driven investments and direct access, building a USP-aligned portfolio, managing portfolio implementation, supporting Board governance, optimizing operational efficiency, and consolidating institutional capacity for the GCF-2 replenishment. The proposed administrative budget for the Board, Secretariat, and Trustee is USD 87,813,586, representing a 5.1% increase over 2021. Key targets include advancing a pipeline of USD 1.77-2.4 billion to review and increasing the share of the portfolio under implementation to over 80%.

The ESMP for Wangchuck Centennial National Park outlines safeguards for two primary activities: the maintenance of staff quarters at Sephu Park Range and the construction of a river bank protection wall at Tandingang. It integrates Bhutanese national laws with WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), specifying that WWF standards prevail in cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding compensation for non-title holders and community consultation. The plan details mitigation measures for worker health, safety, and waste management, and establishes a monitoring framework involving field focal persons and ESS officers to ensure compliance.

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 4 (BC 4) focuses on a specific 2022 activity: improving a homestay in Buli village to support ecotourism and reduce human-wildlife conflict. The plan outlines mitigation measures for construction-related noise, waste, and worker safety, ensuring compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary (JWS) outlines the safeguards and mitigation strategies for the 2022 implementation of the Bhutan for Life (BFL) project. The primary activity for 2022 is the establishment of a community nursery for the medicinal plant Paris polyphylla in Deptsang, budgeted at Nu. 700,000. The plan identifies potential minor impacts, such as waste generation and site digging, and mandates mitigation measures including proper waste disposal and landscaping. The ESMP integrates both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), with the latter prevailing in cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding non-title land users and community consultation. Implementation is managed by the BFL focal person in JWS, with monitoring conducted through weekly field visits and semi-annual reports. The document also includes comprehensive occupational health and safety (OHS) standards and worker accommodation guidelines.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor 4 (BC 4) in Bhutan outlines the safeguards and mitigation measures for ecotourism development at Zarkabla in 2022. The project, part of the broader 'Bhutan for Life' (BFL) initiative, focuses on creating a high-end recreational fishing product along the Drangmechu River. Planned activities include constructing two toilet/bathroom units, establishing a drinking water supply, and clearing a camping site, with a total budget of Nu. 0.650 million. The ESMP identifies potential risks such as workers' health and safety, waste management, and illegal fishing, prescribing specific mitigation actions and monitoring schedules to ensure compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP).

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 7 (BC 7) outlines the environmental and social safeguards for the maintenance of a Beat office and Checkpost in 2022. It identifies the corridor's biodiversity, including 26 mammal and 162 bird species, and sets specific mitigation measures for waste management, water quality, and worker health and safety. The plan mandates compliance with WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures and national laws, ensuring local community engagement and strict occupational health and safety standards.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor 5 (BC5) in Bhutan outlines mitigation strategies for two specific 2022 activities: the construction of a retaining wall in Pema Gatshel and an electric fence at Choegar Dhuedhuel Phodrang Monastery. The plan ensures compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), with the latter prevailing in cases of discrepancy regarding land use rights and community consultation. It details baseline environmental conditions of BC5, which is primarily tropical broad-leaved forest, and provides comprehensive occupational health and safety (OHS) standards for workers.

The 2022 ESMP for Phrumsengla National Park (PNP) outlines the environmental and social safeguards for four planned activities: staff quarter maintenance, Trans-Bhutan Trail (TBT) maintenance, campsite construction at Gayzamchu, and solar/electric fencing installation. The plan identifies potential risks such as waste generation, noise pollution, and worker health and safety, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring protocols. It also details the park's ecological baseline, including its role as a 'linchpin' of Bhutan's Biological Corridor Complex and its habitat for endangered species like the tiger and red panda.

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 7 (BC 7) outlines mitigation strategies for two primary 2022 activities: the maintenance of a Beat Office and Checkpost in Tangmachu, and the construction of a temporary carpentry shed in Gyalpoizhing for a community wood skilling program. The plan focuses on waste management, worker health and safety, and the prevention of social conflict, while providing detailed occupational health and safety (OHS) standards and monitoring protocols to ensure compliance with WWF and national regulations.

The 2022 ESMP for Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS) outlines mitigation strategies for three primary activities: lowland grassland improvement, installation of a hybrid solar system at Phibsoo Outpost, and maintenance of the PWS headquarters. The plan ensures compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures, prioritizing the latter in cases of discrepancy. PWS is noted for its high conservation value, serving as a habitat for globally threatened species like the golden langur and Asian elephant. The ESMP includes detailed occupational health and safety standards, monitoring frameworks, and stakeholder engagement records to minimize environmental degradation and social conflict.

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 2 (BC-02) outlines the environmental and social safeguards required for six planned activities in 2022, including road maintenance, bridge construction, and wildlife shelter expansion. It identifies potential risks such as noise pollution, waste generation, and occupational health and safety hazards, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring frameworks. The plan ensures compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures, prioritizing the latter in cases of discrepancy to ensure broader protection for non-title land users and community consultation.

The 2022 ESMP for Phrumsengla National Park (PNP) focuses on managing the environmental and social risks associated with the maintenance of staff quarters at the head office, Ura, and Phawan Range. The plan outlines baseline ecological conditions of the park—including its role as a watershed and habitat for endangered species like the tiger and red panda—and provides specific mitigation measures for waste, noise, air quality, and worker safety. Implementation is led by the BFL focal person in PNP, with monitoring conducted through field visits and monthly reports to ensure compliance with WWF and national safeguards.