Current Projects

To create an enabling environment and evidence-based approach for managing the effects of human-wildlife conflict in the SADC region

To fast-track readiness and early actions to implement the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework by providing financial and technical support to GEF-eligible Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in their work to review and align their national targets, NBSAPs, policy frameworks, monitoring frameworks and finance with the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The efficient and effective management of high-risk invasive alien species (IAS) directly mitigates their negative impacts on South Africa’s biodiversity assets, and indirectly contributes to the improvement of rural food security and livelihoods

To enhance national-level institutional and technical capacities for the 2021-2022 UNCCD reporting process in the context of the UNCCD Strategic Framework 2018-2030 and SDG15.3

To support the Republic of South Africa prepare and submit its Fourth National Communication (NC 4) and Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR 4) that comply with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reporting requirements while responding to its national development goals.

To strengthen South Africa’s capacity to combat illegal wildlife trade and improve protected area landscape management for increased community benefits.

To facilitate access to GEF funding by 52 countries for Enabling Activities to meet their obligations under the UNCCD a) alignment of NAPs with 10 – Year Strategy and b) Reporting and Review process

To enable country Parties to collect necessary biophysical, socioeconomic data, establish sound reporting and monitoring systems at national level and report against the UNCCD Strategy

South Africa is meeting the enhanced transparency framework requirement under the Paris Agreement

To fight against illegal wildlife trade through institutional strengthening, improved information management and monitoring (and collaboration at an international level), thereby influencing the supply system at local (protected area), national (South Africa) and regional levels

To provide financial and technical support to GEF-eligible Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in their work to develop high quality, data driven sixth national reports (6NR) that will improve national decision-making processes for the implementation of NBSAPs; that report on progress towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABTs) and inform both the fifth Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO5) and the Global Biodiversity Strategy of 2021 – 2030.

To mitigate climate change by transforming national and regional markets to energy-efficient products.

The project will foster city level resilience, resource efficiency, emission reductions and other co-benefits through area-based pilot demonstrations, systems analysis (food), and improved integrated planning.

To Assist GEF-Eligible Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing to prepare and make timely submission of their Interim National Reports on measures that each party has taken to implement the Protocol in line with Article 29

Ratification and early implementation of the Minamata Convention is facilitated by the use of scientific and technical knowledge and tools by national stakeholders in South Africa

To Reduce Impacts From Land-Based Sources and Activities and Sustainably Manage Critical Coastal-Riverine Ecosytems Through the Implementation of the WIO-SAP Priorities with the Support of Partnerships at National and Regional Levels

To foster biodiversity conservation on livestock farms, through a return to human shepherding and the development of a wildlife-friendly produce branding scheme, leading to Payment for Ecosystem Services as a tool in conservation and local economic development.

To strengthen national capabilities for implementation and scaling up of evidence-based, innovative, diversified and environmentally sound disease vector control interventions (with special emphasis on malaria) with multi-stakeholder participation within context of IVM

To Assist GEF-Eligible Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to prepare and make timely submission of their Third National Reports on measures that each party has taken to implement the Protocol in line with Article 33

Nine countries prepare and submit intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) to the 2015 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Agreement and have institutional arrangements in place that support the INDC process

To prepare the Third National Communication (TNC) and first Biennial Update Report (BUR) of South Africa to enable the country fulfill its obligations under the UNFCCC, in accordance with Articles 4.1 and 12.1 of the Convention while strengthening its capacity to integrate climate change concerns into national and sectoral development plans and priorities through the implementation of the national climate change response strategy (NCCRS)

Improve the effectiveness of efforts to combat wildlife crime in South Africa’s Protected Area system, focused on rhinoceros through improved forensic technologies and capacity, strengthened data gathering, sharing and analysis systems at national level, and enhanced cooperation structures and mechanisms at international level to support law enforcement efforts along the whole trafficking chain

to support communities and policy makers in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa to effectively implement and upscale SLM in the Molopo-Nossob catchment area and thereby contribute to restoration of the integrity and functioning of the entire Kalahari-Namib ecosystem.

To Assist GEF-Eligible Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in Africa to prepare and make timely submission of their Second National Reports on measures that each party has taken to implement the Protocol in line with Article 33

Reduce threats to globally important biodiversity through integrating the findings and tools of ecosystem service assessments in policy and decision making