1. APFNet International Symposium on SFM
GEF Investment Approach to Sustainable Forest Management
Andrea Kutter
GEF Secretariat
Natural Resources Management Team
Bejiing, September 2008

2. Structure of this Presentation
Overview of GEF-4 Replenishment
Council Approved GEF Reforms
GEF-4 Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management
GEF-4 SFM Portfolio
Conclusions
Evolving Policies and Processes
Revised focal area strategies
Streamlined project cycle
New Project preparation Docs
Pipeline management
Direct dialogue with countries
Presentation will try to show participants the role the country will be expected to play in setting priority areas, identification of project concepts and implementation

3. I. Overview of GEF-4 Replenishment

4. GEF-4 Replenishment (2006-2010)
Total Replenishment Amount:US$3.32billion:
Resource Allocation Framework for focal areas Biodiversity and Climate Change
Programming document with focal area strategies

5. II. Council Approved GEF Reforms

6. Council Approved GEF Reforms
Results-based Management Framework
DAC Principles
Impact, outcomes, outputs
Indicators and tracking tools
 Development of indicator systems and tracking tools
Focal Area Strategies and Strategic Programming for GEF-4
Revision process to sharpen focus (4 months)
5 Technical Advisory Groups; 1 Strategic Advisory Group
Sustainable Forest Management: cross-cutting strategy striving for multiple global environmental benefits and people’s livelihoods
Council Approved GEF Reforms
The Global Environmental Focal Areas
The environment has innumerable dimensions, but to address problems plaguing the environment, scientists and policymakers divide them into aspects that are primarily local, national, regional, and global in nature. Although these aspects are all interrelated, the GEF focuses on challenges that are global in scope:
Biodiversity (loss of Biological Diversity)
Climate Change
International Waters (degradation of the Oceans and large bodies of fresh water shared by more than one country)
Ozone Depletion
Land Degradation
Earth’s atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere are shared by all. They are the common heritage of humankind. The GEF represents people coming together from the entire spectrum of the developing and developed world to work together to protect the global environment upon which we all depend. Let’s take each focal area and look at the trends, the human impacts, and the links to basic human welfare.

7. III. GEF-4 Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management

8. GEF’s Approach to Sustainable Forest Management
The GEF Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management is fully aligned with the objectives of the focal areas Biodiversity, Land Degradation and Climate Change (Mitigation and Adaptation).
The objective of the GEF Sustainable Forest Management Program is to support country efforts to sustainabely manage forest ecosystems for global environmental benefits in the context of national sustainable development goals.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Many of the pressures on biodiversity have implications beyond local or national borders -- globally important plant and animal species are endangered or threatened and the global commons such as the atmosphere, international rivers, oceans, etc. are increasing being degraded. To address these issues would, therefore, require collective efforts by nations, working at the national, sub-regional, regional, or global level.
To facilitate collective response by the global community to biodiversity loss, the Convention on Biological Diversity was negotiated and opened for signature in June 1992 and it came into force in December [number] Countries have so far ratified the Convention.
The objectives of the convention are conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
Parties to the Convention agreed to provide financial support for activities consistent with the national plans, priorities, and programs of developing country parties. The GEF is the financial mechanism for the Convention.

9. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
GEF-4 Strategy for Sustainable Forest - Management
Global 200 Forest Regions (World Resources Institute - PAGE, 2000)
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Many of the pressures on biodiversity have implications beyond local or national borders -- globally important plant and animal species are endangered or threatened and the global commons such as the atmosphere, international rivers, oceans, etc. are increasing being degraded. To address these issues would, therefore, require collective efforts by nations, working at the national, sub-regional, regional, or global level.
To facilitate collective response by the global community to biodiversity loss, the Convention on Biological Diversity was negotiated and opened for signature in June 1992 and it came into force in December [number] Countries have so far ratified the Convention.
The objectives of the convention are conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
Parties to the Convention agreed to provide financial support for activities consistent with the national plans, priorities, and programs of developing country parties. The GEF is the financial mechanism for the Convention.

10. Managing Forest Ecosystems for Multiple Benefits
Climate Change
(Carbon)
Biodiversity
Water
Peoples’ Livelihoods

11. GEF-4 Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management
Strategic Objectives
To conserve globally significant forest biodiversity, combat deforestation and forest degradation and mitigate the causes and impacts of climate change related to land use and cover changes
To promote sustainable management and use of forest resources
…for sustaining people’s livelihoods from forest ecosystem goods and services.
Land Degradation
Land degradation is a worldwide phenomenon, leaving no continent unaffected. It has severe environmental, social and economic impacts, including costs to countries and populations.
Land degradation does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts, rather, it refers to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It occurs because dry land ecosystems, which cover over one third of the world's land area, are extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation and inappropriate land use. UNEP estimates that most countries, including more than 80 developing countries, are affected and in Africa alone 36 countries are affected by dryland degradation or desertification.
The biological and economic resources of dry lands, notably soil quality, freshwater supplies, vegetation, and crops, are easily damaged. People have learned to protect these resources with age-old strategies such as shifting agriculture and nomadic herding. In recent decades these strategies have become less practical due to changing economic and political circumstances, population growth, and a trend towards more settled communities.
Desertification involves the loss of biological or economic productivity and complexity in croplands, pastures, and woodlands. When land managers cannot or do not respond flexibly to climate variations, desertification is the result.
The most commonly cited forms of unsustainable land use are over cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation practices. Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing, and bad irrigation practices can all undermine the land's fertility. The relatively low priority given to environmental protection often leads to poor land management decisions.

12. GEF-4 Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management
Main Focus
Protected Area Systems
Production Forests
Supporting Sustainable Forest Management in the wider Production Landscape
Enabeling Environment
Fostering Markets
Invasive Alien Species
Land Degradation
Land degradation is a worldwide phenomenon, leaving no continent unaffected. It has severe environmental, social and economic impacts, including costs to countries and populations.
Land degradation does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts, rather, it refers to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It occurs because dry land ecosystems, which cover over one third of the world's land area, are extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation and inappropriate land use. UNEP estimates that most countries, including more than 80 developing countries, are affected and in Africa alone 36 countries are affected by dryland degradation or desertification.
The biological and economic resources of dry lands, notably soil quality, freshwater supplies, vegetation, and crops, are easily damaged. People have learned to protect these resources with age-old strategies such as shifting agriculture and nomadic herding. In recent decades these strategies have become less practical due to changing economic and political circumstances, population growth, and a trend towards more settled communities.
Desertification involves the loss of biological or economic productivity and complexity in croplands, pastures, and woodlands. When land managers cannot or do not respond flexibly to climate variations, desertification is the result.
The most commonly cited forms of unsustainable land use are over cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation practices. Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing, and bad irrigation practices can all undermine the land's fertility. The relatively low priority given to environmental protection often leads to poor land management decisions.

13. Cross-Cutting Programs
GEF-4 Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management
Cross-Cutting Programs
Management of LULUCF as a means to protect carbon stocks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (REDD agenda)
Sustainability criteria for sustainable biomass production
Land Degradation
Land degradation is a worldwide phenomenon, leaving no continent unaffected. It has severe environmental, social and economic impacts, including costs to countries and populations.
Land degradation does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts, rather, it refers to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It occurs because dry land ecosystems, which cover over one third of the world's land area, are extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation and inappropriate land use. UNEP estimates that most countries, including more than 80 developing countries, are affected and in Africa alone 36 countries are affected by dryland degradation or desertification.
The biological and economic resources of dry lands, notably soil quality, freshwater supplies, vegetation, and crops, are easily damaged. People have learned to protect these resources with age-old strategies such as shifting agriculture and nomadic herding. In recent decades these strategies have become less practical due to changing economic and political circumstances, population growth, and a trend towards more settled communities.
Desertification involves the loss of biological or economic productivity and complexity in croplands, pastures, and woodlands. When land managers cannot or do not respond flexibly to climate variations, desertification is the result.
The most commonly cited forms of unsustainable land use are over cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation practices. Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing, and bad irrigation practices can all undermine the land's fertility. The relatively low priority given to environmental protection often leads to poor land management decisions.

14. IV. GEF-4 Portfolio on Sustainable Forest Management

15. GEF-4 Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management
Launched in November 2007
As of September 2008, 15 approved proposals
SFM – multiple benefits in GEF focal areas: Biodiversity, Climate Change and Land Degradation
8 MFA proposals
7 single FA proposals
All proposals with local/national benefits
Land Degradation
Land degradation is a worldwide phenomenon, leaving no continent unaffected. It has severe environmental, social and economic impacts, including costs to countries and populations.
Land degradation does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts, rather, it refers to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It occurs because dry land ecosystems, which cover over one third of the world's land area, are extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation and inappropriate land use. UNEP estimates that most countries, including more than 80 developing countries, are affected and in Africa alone 36 countries are affected by dryland degradation or desertification.
The biological and economic resources of dry lands, notably soil quality, freshwater supplies, vegetation, and crops, are easily damaged. People have learned to protect these resources with age-old strategies such as shifting agriculture and nomadic herding. In recent decades these strategies have become less practical due to changing economic and political circumstances, population growth, and a trend towards more settled communities.
Desertification involves the loss of biological or economic productivity and complexity in croplands, pastures, and woodlands. When land managers cannot or do not respond flexibly to climate variations, desertification is the result.
The most commonly cited forms of unsustainable land use are over cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation practices. Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing, and bad irrigation practices can all undermine the land's fertility. The relatively low priority given to environmental protection often leads to poor land management decisions.

16. GEF-4 - SFM Portfolio
In January 2000, the GEF Council approved the Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) as a strategic partnership between the GEF Secretariat and UNDP. The objective was to produce a comprehensive approach for assisting countries to build capacities to meet the challenges of global environmental action.
Over a period of 18 months (January 2000 – May 2001) an extensive process of consultation, outreach, and dialogue was launched to identify countries’ needs, formulate a strategic approach for the international community to meet those needs, and develop a GEF-specific response to provide appropriate assistance. This process was conducted in close collaboration with the other GEF Implementing Agencies, STAP and the Secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention to Combat Desertification, as well as other actors in the area of capacity development, such as multilateral development organizations, including regional development banks, bilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations.
Achievements of the Capacity Development Initiative
Under the Capacity Development Initiative more than 45 national, regional and global capacity development experts were mobilized to conduct national, regional, sectoral, and cross-cutting studies of capacity development needs; more than 3000 questionnaires were distributed to governments, NGOs, academic institutions, international agencies, and project managers, among others, in three different languages; ten regional technical consultative workshops, some involving more than 100 participants, were carried out; presentations and consultations were organized at the Conference of the Parties of the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Desertification conventions, as well as at some of their subsidiary meetings. The results of this process are documented in a series of reports (see Attachment A). The reports that address crosscutting themes and the assessments for particular regions are available at
The consultations and outputs described above formed the basis for defining the elements of a collaborative approach to assist the international community in meeting countries’ capacity development needs for global environmental management. They were also instrumental in developing a GEF-specific framework for action that will channel appropriate resources to this effort. These are described in detail in the document titled “Elements of Strategic Collaboration and a Framework for GEF Action for Capacity Building for Global Environmental Management.”
The proposed framework identifies four funding pathways for GEF financing for capacity building. The first pathway focuses on providing countries with support to conduct rigorous self-assessments of their national capacities to address global environmental issues. The second and third pathways would make projects specifically focused on capacity-building eligible for GEF funding. The fourth pathway deals with improving the capacity development aspect of regular GEF project projects.

17. GEF-4 - SFM Portfolio
In January 2000, the GEF Council approved the Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) as a strategic partnership between the GEF Secretariat and UNDP. The objective was to produce a comprehensive approach for assisting countries to build capacities to meet the challenges of global environmental action.
Over a period of 18 months (January 2000 – May 2001) an extensive process of consultation, outreach, and dialogue was launched to identify countries’ needs, formulate a strategic approach for the international community to meet those needs, and develop a GEF-specific response to provide appropriate assistance. This process was conducted in close collaboration with the other GEF Implementing Agencies, STAP and the Secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention to Combat Desertification, as well as other actors in the area of capacity development, such as multilateral development organizations, including regional development banks, bilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations.
Achievements of the Capacity Development Initiative
Under the Capacity Development Initiative more than 45 national, regional and global capacity development experts were mobilized to conduct national, regional, sectoral, and cross-cutting studies of capacity development needs; more than 3000 questionnaires were distributed to governments, NGOs, academic institutions, international agencies, and project managers, among others, in three different languages; ten regional technical consultative workshops, some involving more than 100 participants, were carried out; presentations and consultations were organized at the Conference of the Parties of the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Desertification conventions, as well as at some of their subsidiary meetings. The results of this process are documented in a series of reports (see Attachment A). The reports that address crosscutting themes and the assessments for particular regions are available at
The consultations and outputs described above formed the basis for defining the elements of a collaborative approach to assist the international community in meeting countries’ capacity development needs for global environmental management. They were also instrumental in developing a GEF-specific framework for action that will channel appropriate resources to this effort. These are described in detail in the document titled “Elements of Strategic Collaboration and a Framework for GEF Action for Capacity Building for Global Environmental Management.”
The proposed framework identifies four funding pathways for GEF financing for capacity building. The first pathway focuses on providing countries with support to conduct rigorous self-assessments of their national capacities to address global environmental issues. The second and third pathways would make projects specifically focused on capacity-building eligible for GEF funding. The fourth pathway deals with improving the capacity development aspect of regular GEF project projects.

18. GEF-4 - SFM Portfolio
In January 2000, the GEF Council approved the Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) as a strategic partnership between the GEF Secretariat and UNDP. The objective was to produce a comprehensive approach for assisting countries to build capacities to meet the challenges of global environmental action.
Over a period of 18 months (January 2000 – May 2001) an extensive process of consultation, outreach, and dialogue was launched to identify countries’ needs, formulate a strategic approach for the international community to meet those needs, and develop a GEF-specific response to provide appropriate assistance. This process was conducted in close collaboration with the other GEF Implementing Agencies, STAP and the Secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention to Combat Desertification, as well as other actors in the area of capacity development, such as multilateral development organizations, including regional development banks, bilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations.
Achievements of the Capacity Development Initiative
Under the Capacity Development Initiative more than 45 national, regional and global capacity development experts were mobilized to conduct national, regional, sectoral, and cross-cutting studies of capacity development needs; more than 3000 questionnaires were distributed to governments, NGOs, academic institutions, international agencies, and project managers, among others, in three different languages; ten regional technical consultative workshops, some involving more than 100 participants, were carried out; presentations and consultations were organized at the Conference of the Parties of the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Desertification conventions, as well as at some of their subsidiary meetings. The results of this process are documented in a series of reports (see Attachment A). The reports that address crosscutting themes and the assessments for particular regions are available at
The consultations and outputs described above formed the basis for defining the elements of a collaborative approach to assist the international community in meeting countries’ capacity development needs for global environmental management. They were also instrumental in developing a GEF-specific framework for action that will channel appropriate resources to this effort. These are described in detail in the document titled “Elements of Strategic Collaboration and a Framework for GEF Action for Capacity Building for Global Environmental Management.”
The proposed framework identifies four funding pathways for GEF financing for capacity building. The first pathway focuses on providing countries with support to conduct rigorous self-assessments of their national capacities to address global environmental issues. The second and third pathways would make projects specifically focused on capacity-building eligible for GEF funding. The fourth pathway deals with improving the capacity development aspect of regular GEF project projects.

19. GEF-4 SFM Portfolio - Highlights
Carbon Benefits Proposal:
“Carbon Modeling, Measurement and Monitoring”
Carbon Measurement, Monitoring and Management
World Bank with
World Wildlife Fund for
Nature
Michigan State University
International Center for
Research on Agro-forestry
Carbon Modeling
UNEP with
- Colorado State University
- Wageningen University
ISRIC
In January 2000, the GEF Council approved the Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) as a strategic partnership between the GEF Secretariat and UNDP. The objective was to produce a comprehensive approach for assisting countries to build capacities to meet the challenges of global environmental action.
Over a period of 18 months (January 2000 – May 2001) an extensive process of consultation, outreach, and dialogue was launched to identify countries’ needs, formulate a strategic approach for the international community to meet those needs, and develop a GEF-specific response to provide appropriate assistance. This process was conducted in close collaboration with the other GEF Implementing Agencies, STAP and the Secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention to Combat Desertification, as well as other actors in the area of capacity development, such as multilateral development organizations, including regional development banks, bilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations.
Achievements of the Capacity Development Initiative
Under the Capacity Development Initiative more than 45 national, regional and global capacity development experts were mobilized to conduct national, regional, sectoral, and cross-cutting studies of capacity development needs; more than 3000 questionnaires were distributed to governments, NGOs, academic institutions, international agencies, and project managers, among others, in three different languages; ten regional technical consultative workshops, some involving more than 100 participants, were carried out; presentations and consultations were organized at the Conference of the Parties of the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Desertification conventions, as well as at some of their subsidiary meetings. The results of this process are documented in a series of reports (see Attachment A). The reports that address crosscutting themes and the assessments for particular regions are available at
The consultations and outputs described above formed the basis for defining the elements of a collaborative approach to assist the international community in meeting countries’ capacity development needs for global environmental management. They were also instrumental in developing a GEF-specific framework for action that will channel appropriate resources to this effort. These are described in detail in the document titled “Elements of Strategic Collaboration and a Framework for GEF Action for Capacity Building for Global Environmental Management.”
The proposed framework identifies four funding pathways for GEF financing for capacity building. The first pathway focuses on providing countries with support to conduct rigorous self-assessments of their national capacities to address global environmental issues. The second and third pathways would make projects specifically focused on capacity-building eligible for GEF funding. The fourth pathway deals with improving the capacity development aspect of regular GEF project projects.
inclusive range of climates, soil types and land use systems.
Programs: Congo Basin, Vietnam
Individual Projects (Indonesia, Brazil, Chaco)

20. GEF-4 - Lessons Learned so Far
Increasing interest in SFM projects;
Need for an integrated approach to SFM – balancing new push through REDD with the wider SFM agenda;
Need for more projects addressing the threats to forest ecosystems, e.g. agriculture and climate change using a wider landscape management approach;

21. GEF-4 - Lessons Learned so Far
Need for clarification on how GEF carbon benefits in SFM projects can enter the market-based/market-linked systems;
Need for harmonization of new and existing financing mechansims and funds addressing global envrionmental concerns (e.g. World Bank FIF, incl FCPF; UN-REDD)