The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has announced USD 52.8 million in funding for four new projects led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aiming to address pressing environmental challenges worldwide. The initiatives, approved during GEF’s 70th Council meeting, focus on restoring critical ecosystems, promoting clean mobility, and enhancing global climate transparency. The announcement follows closely after the seventh session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA-7), which brought together over 6,000 delegates from more than 180 UN Member States.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen highlighted the impact of the funding, noting that it demonstrates the tangible results multilateral cooperation can deliver. The projects are designed to protect natural capital, reduce emissions and pollution, and strengthen resilience for communities most affected by environmental change. GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez emphasized that the initiatives are integrated, high-impact programs linking climate, nature, and pollution action while benefiting both ecosystems and people.
One of the projects, Establishing Sustainable Wetland Management Cornerstones in Madagascar, will invest USD 7.2 million to safeguard and restore over 655,000 hectares of wetlands and marine ecosystems. It aims to restore 24,000 hectares of mangroves, benefit 60,000 people, and reduce an estimated 41 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, supporting biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience.
The Upscaling Integrated Electric Mobility Systems – Addendum 2 project, with USD 2 million in funding, will accelerate Madagascar’s transition to zero-emission electric transport. By strengthening policies, institutions, and technical capacity, it promotes sustainable mobility, reduces vehicle-related pollution, and helps alleviate pressure on natural ecosystems.
In Indonesia, USD 9 million will support Enhancing Policy Coherence for a Sustainable Blue Economy, harmonizing governance across marine and coastal sectors. The initiative will restore 50,000 hectares of mangroves and seagrass, manage 1.42 million hectares of marine habitat, and benefit 200,000 people. It is expected to mitigate 2.19 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over 20 years while combining climate action with reduced land-sea pollution.
A global initiative, Preparation of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and Combined NC/BTRs to the UNFCCC, will receive USD 34.6 million to support 25 countries in preparing and submitting 50 national climate reports under the Paris Agreement. By strengthening institutional capacity and long-term climate governance, this project enhances national climate action, improves reporting on nature and pollution, and ensures ongoing engagement in global transparency processes.
The new projects build on decades of UNEP–GEF collaboration, which has delivered transformative environmental impacts across more than 160 countries. Together, the two institutions have implemented over 1,000 projects supported by USD 3.3 billion in donor contributions, improving the lives of nearly 33 million people. In the last eight years alone, the partnership helped prevent 77 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, restore over 6.5 million hectares of land, rehabilitate 1.1 million hectares of marine ecosystems, and strengthen chemicals and waste management policies in 70 countries.
Looking ahead, the GEF-9 replenishment in 2026 presents an opportunity to scale up proven approaches. UNEP is prepared to deploy new resources toward transformative global programs that link climate, nature, and pollution action, accelerating progress toward a healthier, more resilient planet for all.
