There are many voices in the ongoing debate over the role of the energy sector in climate change, but the people likely to be most affected over time aren’t often addressed, let alone heard.

Having grown up in the Netherlands in the aftermath of World War II, International Energy Agency Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven knows something about facing a problem left by an older generation. In a multimedia presentation made available today on iea.org, she challenges young people to make a difference in climate change, the defining challenge of our times.

“Young people are the future leaders of our world, and the ones who will inherit the decisions of my generation,” Ms. Van der Hoeven said of her video. “My hope is to express to them that their engagement is critical if the world is to transform our energy systems and avoid the worst of climate change impacts.”

Over the course of the seven-minute video, Ms. Van der Hoeven outlines increasing urgency of the climate change issue, detailing the consequences of staying on the world’s current path. She describes how her generation rebuilt after war and expanded economies and food production. “But with the rise in living standards has also come increasing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions,” she says. “We are now producing over 30 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year just from the energy sector.”

The video lists three key actions in the energy sector to limit the rise in global temperatures to no more than 2 degrees C: make a dramatic shift to renewable energy, use energy more efficiently and reduce emissions from remaining fossil-fuel use. Ms. Van der Hoeven – who began her career as a teacher – urges young people to inform themselves, engage others and reduce their own individual carbon footprint. But she says her most important message is for young people to embrace their influence, telling them, “You have growing importance, particularly on climate change, because it’s your future … and your voice carries great weight.”

Ms. Van der Hoeven’s presentation, along with supplementary resources for both students, parents and educators, is available here. The IEA will regularly add updated materials and resources to the site. Click here to view the video.

The IEA works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 29 member countries and beyond, including enhancing international knowledge of options for tackling climate change. The IEA believes energy system transformation and action on climate change must come from all groups and sectors of society.

Homepage photo: © Shutterstock.com

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The Himalaya mountain range is most known for its magnificent, high, snow-covered peaks that draw adventurous mountaineers and wildlife that thrive in alpine conditions.

But there is a lesser known part of the Himalayas that sits much closer to sea level and is just as important. It is the Churia Range, which is mainly forest land and runs through parts of Nepal, Bhutan and India.

Asian elephants and endangered Bengal tigers roam the Churia. Trees within the range serve a vital environmental function, as they help stabilize the fragile, gravelly, thin-soiled slopes. The trees also help regulate the flow of water from the mountains to people who live downstream, which is especially important during Nepal’s powerful monsoon season.

Vital forests wiped out

Despite the importance of the forests, they are cleared at a rapid rate, often illegally and by local communities. People who need the wood from trees to cook often see more economic value in using the forested area for farming or grazing, or removing trees to make a place where they can re-settle to escape natural disasters that hit lower elevations.

When the trees are cleared, the relatively bare land that remains takes a hit—more landslides and erosion, which harm people and wildlife in the forests and downstream. The impact is even worse when the land is overgrazed by livestock.

Tackling global challenges

WWF, several Nepal government agencies and other partners recently received a three-year grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to address the central Churia range’s problems related to degraded land—usually land that is poorly managed, or damaged by floods and landslides.

The GEF is the largest source of public international funding for projects to address global environmental challenges.WWF is a new project agency for the GEF, which means we are one of 12 entities now at the table helping countries decide how and where to invest GEF funds most strategically.

“The project will help address what has become a ‘tragedy of the commons’ situation in Nepal,” said Shubash Lohani, deputy director of the WWF-US Eastern Himalayas Program. “It, too, is a testament to the importance of this region to the ecological and economic well-being of Nepal.”

Empowering communities

Key to the strategy for the new GEF-funded project in the Nepal part of the Churia Range is empowering local communities to sustainably manage the forests of the range, as well as how to raise livestock and grow produce in a way that is not harmful to the environment. Project partners also hope to improve the development and implementation of Nepal’s policies related to land use, and identify sensitive forest areas for restoration and conservation.

This project will complement the USAID-funded Hariyo Ban project. Through that project, WWF and three other conservation partners are working with communities in the western part of the Terai Arc Landscape (which is part of the Churia Range) to reduce deforestation.

www.thegef.org

With Samoa’s forests under increasing threat from climate change, unsustainable land use practices and the advance of invasive species, the government is working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and 26 communities across the country to save three critical forest areas.

“Perhaps nowhere else on Earth are people’s lives, livelihoods, and economies more reliant on a healthy environment than they are in the Small Island Developing States,” said UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark.

In a break from the Third International Small Island Developing States conference being held in Apia, Helen Clark the UNDP Administrator and Naoko Ishii the GEF Chief Executive Officer today met with people of Luatuanu’u. This is one of the 26 communities participating in the Integration of Climate Change Risks and Resilience into Forestry Management in Samoa (ICCRIFS) project.

“This project is an excellent example of how the GEF and UNDP are supporting communities from Ridge to Reef with an integrated, holistic approach. It demonstrates how local communities can serve as catalysts for effective action in the face of increasing threats from climate change that help sustain livelihoods and build resilience” said Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO and Chairperson.

A key element of the Forestry Project’s success has been engaging 16,700 people in the management of their local forestry areas. In each participating village, leaders, men, women and children used simple materials like cardboard and paper Mache to create a three dimensional model of their area. For many, this was the first time they had seen a bird’s eye view of how the watersheds, agricultural lands and the entire ecosystem of where they live are interlinked.

In Luatuanu’u today, local leaders took Miss Clark and Ms Ishii through the model their community had created several months ago and explained how it is now used to make local forestry management decisions.

“Engaging local people in sustainably managing the water, arable land and all the resources upon which they rely, from the ridge to the reef, is critical,” said Miss Clark.

Models like these also provide the Samoan government with valuable local knowledge to use in national forestry management plans.

This effort to save Samoa’s forests also involves replanting native species grown in community nurseries, guarding against forest fires, and working with communities to improve the productivity of their low-land agricultural lands, so there is less need to encroach into upland forests.

Miss Clark and Ms Ishii today saw the native tree nursery and an agro-forestry demonstration plot in Luatuanu’u, where, together with the Samoan Farmers Association, local people are growing a more diverse range of fruits and vegetables than they did in the past.

Launched in 2011, the Project aims to revitalize Samoa’s forests. This is a key priority under the governments’ national plan to adapt to climate change. Healthier forests reduce the prevalence of such risks as landslides, flood and poor water supply. As climate change threatens to produce more powerful

events, stronger forests in Samoa will help protect communities against cyclones and other natural disasters.

The project is financed by a grant from the Global Environment Facility through the Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) plus co-financing by the Government of Samoa and implemented by UNDP.

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About the GEF

The Global Environment Facility is a partnership for international cooperation where 183 countries work together with international institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector, to address global environmental issues. The GEF serves as financial mechanism for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. It also works closely with the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances.

Since 1991, the GEF has provided $12.5 billion in grants and leveraged $58 billion in co-financing for 3,690 projects in 165 developing countries. For 23 years, developed and developing countries alike have provided these funds to support activities related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, and chemicals and waste in the context of development projects and programs. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP) the GEF has made more than 20,000 grants to civil society and community based organizations for a total of $1 billion.

Among the major results of these investments, the GEF has set up protected areas around the world equal roughly to the area of Brazil; reduced carbon emissions by 2.3 billion tonnes; eliminated the use of ozone depleting substances in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia; transformed the management of 33 major river basins and one-third of the world’s large marine ecosystems; slowed the advance of desertification in Africa by improving agricultural practices—and all this while contributing to better the livelihood and food security of millions of people.

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Media Contacts

For UNDP

In Apia, Samoa: Lisa Garvey - lisa.garvey@undp.org; + 685 7726033

In New York, USA: Dylan Lowthian - dylan.lowthian@undp.org + 1 212 906 5516

For the GEF

In Washington, DC, USA: Christian Hofer - chofer@thegef.org+1 202 413 4185

www.thegef.org

President Enrique Peña Nieto announces the country will raise 20 million dollars for the 2014-2018 period

Mexico’s commitment to the environment was endorsed last night with President Enrique Peña Nieto’s presence, announcing that the country’s contribution to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will double to 20 million dollars between 2014-18.

“With the support of the Facility, we want to increase cooperation in favor of increased global responsibility: caring for and preserving our planet,” the President confirmed after participating int the 5th GEF Assembly which is taking place this week in Cancun.

The Head of State, claimed that the GEF’s 5th Assembly is an opportunity to “reaffirm the country’s commitment with the world to really make this planet a better space, where humanity can live and have fun.”

The CEO and Chairperson of the GEF, Naoko Ishii highlighted the role of Mexico in the fight to preserve the environment: “Mexico clearly recognizes that there can be no separation between the environment and the economy. A healthy environment is a necessary condition for long term sustainable development.”

An in this sense, the President of the GEF recognised Mexico’s advances regarding the environment: it was one of the first countries in the world to pass a general law on climate change. it is reforming its domestic energy markets; its investments in

has been one of the highest in the world; and what’s more it has set very ambitious targets for expanding its already large protected areas.

“It is very clear to me that Mexico’s decision to double its contribution to the GEF was the key that opened the door for many other donors, including Mexico’s fellow emerging economies,” said Naoko Ishii, emphasizing the Mexican leadership last month in the GEF’s replenishment, which reached a record US$4.43 billion.

Mexico is a founding member of the GEF and since 1991 has received funding for more than 54 national and 32 regional projects for biodiversity conservation, to fight climate change and persistent organic pollutants among others.

During his speech to the Assembly, the Mexican President talked of the current challenges along with the institutional transformation processes that his country is facing, with structural reforms in education, finance, economic competitiveness, telecommunications, budgets and energy.

He assured that the reforms which Mexico are undertaking will speed up economic growth while also reaffirming their global responsibility to the environment.

“The objective of all [the reforms] is to turn Mexico into a more prosperous country, with higher levels of economic growth. We are working decisively to achieve sustained, and more importantly, sustainable economic expansion. In other words, green growth,” he affirmed.

During the dinner in honour of the 150 delegations which attended the meeting, Peña Nieto wished that the 5th Assembly achieve the organization’s founding aim: “to combine the efforts of the whole world, of those countries focused on a better tomorrow and a better future for the world, to provide the opportunity to strengthen this shared effort and to commit ourselves to the environment and the preservation of our planet.”

Mexico has supported the consolidation of the Global Environmental Facility, but at the same time has been widely backed by this global initiative: the Facility has donated more than US$450 million to Mexico and an additional 2.69 billion dollars have been award through various financing schemes.

Some of the most important projects financed by the GEF in Mexico include:

* The Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve in Quintana Roo, which helped to conserve its forests, mangroves and wetlands along with its archaeological remains as well as integrating sustainable fisheries protections.

* The Monarch Butterfly, Chincua Mountain and Rosario Mountain biosphere reserves in Michoacan, where they established economic incentives for common lands, indigenous communities and small property owners to protect the seasonal home of the Monarch Butterfly.

* The El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar en Sonora biosphere reserve: with it’s huge cultural riches, it is one of the most biodiverse deserts in the world.

ARTICLE IN SPANISH / ARTÍCULO EN ESPAÑOL

Contact:

Mr. Christian Hofer
Senior Communications Officer
Phone: +1 202 458 0936
E-mail: chofer@thegef.org

The GEF joins legislators to combat climate change and one of its most devastating effects: rising sea levels.

June 10, 2014 - The GEF joins legislators to combat climate change and one of its most devastating effects: rising sea levels.

“Raise your voice, not the sea level.” This was the slogan on World Environment Day, when millions of people all over the world engage in activities to protect the planet and become agents of change.

Similarly, World Oceans Day, with its motto of “Together we have the power to protect the ocean” reminded us this weekend that the oceans offer us finite resources seas and overfishing and pollution are causing irreparable damage to marine ecosystems across the world.

Also this weekend, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) added its voice to those of 80 legislators from around the world, who gathered at the Globe International forum in Mexico. There they signed an unprecedented resolution which commits to review and strengthen national climate laws and to lay the foundations for a global agreement in 2015.

What many of us take for granted is under serious threat: global warming is having a severe impact on the environment and its long-term effects are as unpredictable as they are disturbing. Although many of us believe we have no reason to worry today about something that might happen in 80 years, there are clear signs that this is not the case.

These include rising sea levels, melting glaciers in the Andes and the Himalayas – the main freshwater reserves for millions of people –, unusual droughts and extreme atmospheric conditions, such as maximum-force hurricanes and torrential rains in sub-tropical regions of Argentina or Australia, to name just a few.

“We need to act speedily, because what we are seeing more and more is that the effects of climate change are becoming more serious. Taking action today means we can avoid more costly losses in the future. It also means that we need to use effectively the adaptation options currently at our disposal, as they may not be available tomorrow” underlines Saliha Dobardzic, GEF Senior Climate Change Specialist.

While it is estimated that coastal waters have risen 30 centimeters over the past 200 years, this figure may reach between one-half meter and one meter by the end of this century. Given that one of every two people is expected to live within 100 kilometers of a coastline by the turn of the century, a catastrophe may be just waiting to happen.

That is why this year’s campaign supports coastal areas and underscores the urgent need to protect islands from growing risks and challenges in the face of climate change. The Estado Islands of the Kiribati Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean are a clear example. Scientists predict that by the end of this century, most of the 33 islands will be swallowed up by the sea.The GEF, through its Kiribati KAP II and now its KAP III program, has worked to systematically assess problems associated with climate change and to design economically viable adaptation measures.

The program seeks to improve the capacity of the Kiribati government to plan and adapt measures associated with climate and the harmful impact of global warming and rising sea levels. Moreover, it has supported adaptation measures for the protection of the coastline and the sustainable supply of fresh water. The Phoenix Islands in the Kiribati Archipelago are home to the largest marine reserve in the world, with their 410,500 kilometers of atolls, coral reefs, surface and deep waters.

A committed GEF
At the Fifth Session of the GEF, held in Cancun, Mexico last week, participating countries launched the new GEF2020 strategy and approved a US$ 230 million work program that together with previous investments made during 2010-2014 will total US$ 3.7 billion directed towards the protection of the global environment. ”The GEF has been strengthening its work in many ways. Perhaps most importantly, we can point to a continued strong engagement in countries to address global environmental challenges of concern to us all,” said Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF.

In this role, Ishii participated in the Globe World Summit of Legislators against climate change, and ratified the GEF’s commitment to continue working with this platform and other members to ensure legislators have the necessary tools and information to make decisions which favor sustainable development. ”We need a global coalition in order to make sufficient progress. Lawmakers from around the world can play a key part in helping create the necessary momentum for the new multilateral commitments and agreements,” assured Ishii in her speech to delegates who met in the Mexican Congress.

Countries have adopted laws to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use energy more efficiently, promote

sources and fight deforestation, among other initiatives. While over 66 countries have such laws on the books, in many cases they have yet to be applied.

www.thegef.org

Boating can be intrusive to aquatic ecosystems and increase carbon emissions through pollution from engine emissions, lubricants, and accidental discharges. This is why SGP Turkey decided to support TEMEV (Clean Energy Foundation) to develop a solar

powered boat specifically for lakes under pressure from recreational activities. Modeled after the MS Turanor PlanetSolar, it is emissions and noise free, better to maneuver, and offers an attractive choice for alternative water transport. The “Güneşli Bot,” or “Sun Boat,” was completed in early spring and recently launched at Lake Eymir near Ankara.

The four-seat solar-powered Sun Boat has two electric, new generation of highly efficient, brushless out-runner motors, powered by photovoltaic cells. Unlike other solar powered boats, the Sun Boat doesn’t require any supporting equipment like chargers or conventional motors. Only a small battery and two oars are added to bridge energy needs for 2+ hours under cloudy conditions. With an estimated speed of 10-12 knots (18-22 km/h), the boat is sufficient to cover small lake areas. Requiring no oil, fuel, gas or monthly maintenance, it is more sustainable than internal combustion engine boats. In fact, production costs are amortized within the first 12-18 months, based on a 5 year usage period. With governmental subsidies, the cost can further be reduced by 20%.

With an open floor design to glide over water more easily, the Sun Boat operates quietly and has no under-water exhaust outlet. Its custom-tailored propellers were specifically designed for electric motors and low cavity features. The Sun Boat thus eliminates another source of pollution and noise, which often disturb lake ecosystems. Beyond recreational use, the Sun Boat can be an attractive choice for aquatic researchers as it allows them to approach their subjects quietly and position themselves more precisely over research points. Precise maneuvering is facilitated by the two motors that can be controlled independently. The boat has also been equipped with an underwater camera, a cold light source, and an LCD monitor which are likewise powered by solar energy. These features will be put to good use by the Middle East Technical University that will use the boat for water biology research in its recreational area at Lake Eymir.

This initiative forms an addition to SGP Turkey’s rich portfolio in promoting transition to sustainable, low-carbon transportation. It is also a great example of how SGP provides seed funding and promotes innovation for environmental conservation and research. The boat was produced with an SGP grant of USD $20,000, and USD $ 18,900 in co-financing.

It is hoped that the boat can serve as a model for disseminating the use of solar photovoltaic energy in marine applications. A small booklet has been prepared for local authorities, universities, and other recreational areas. The grantee has been successfully advocating for the Sun Boat, promoting it as a safer, cleaner, and less expensive transportation choice that is also less intrusive to lake ecosystems. Another SGP project “Halfeti Ecotourism” is interested in adopting the Sun Boat, which has already received invitations from exhibitions like the International Boat Show at İzmir.

About the GEF Small Grants Programme

Launched in 1992, GEF SGP supports activities of non-governmental and community-based organizations in developing countries towards climate change abatement, conservation of biodiversity, protection of international waters, reduction of the impact of persistent organic pollutants, and prevention of land degradation while generating sustainable livelihoods.

Since its creation, GEF SGP has provided over 16,500 grants to communities in over 125 developing countries. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as a corporate programme, GEF SGP is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the GEF partnership, and is executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Contacts:

Katharina Davis

Knowledge Management and Communications Consultant

GEF Small Grants Programme

katharina.davis@undp.org

Gökmen Argun

National Coordinator

GEF Small Grants Programme in Turkey

Gokmen.argun@undp.org

www.thegef.org