Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financing mechanism established in 1992 that channels grants and concessional funding to developing nations for projects addressing climate change, biodiversity, land degradation, and pollution. It serves as a financial engine for global environmental conventions, partnering with 18 agencies including World Bank, UNDP, and UNEP.

GEF's mission is to safeguard the global environment by funding transformative projects aligned with international conventions — UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD. Its climate focus includes mitigation, adaptation, clean energy transition, sustainable landscapes, and building resilience in vulnerable economies across the developing world.

GEF operates in India through implementing agencies such as UNDP India, World Bank, and UNEP. India is among GEF's largest recipient countries. Programs span clean energy, sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and chemicals management. GEF-funded projects are co-executed with Indian government ministries, state agencies, and select NGOs and private sector partners.

Roles are shown generally — verify the current appointees on the agency's own site.

• Climate Change Mitigation & Clean Energy
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Land Degradation & Sustainable Landscapes
• Chemicals & Waste Management
• Ocean & Freshwater Governance

• Grants (non-reimbursable project funding)
• Concessional co-financing alongside multilateral development banks
• Small Grants Programme (SGP) for civil society and communities
• Blended finance structures via GEF Agency partnerships

Developers and CXOs cannot approach GEF directly — projects must be routed through GEF Implementing Agencies (World Bank, UNDP, ADB) or accredited national entities. Engage India's GEF National Focal Point at MoEFCC or partner with an implementing agency to develop a project concept note aligned with GEF-9 priorities.