I move:
That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the instrument for the establishment of the restructured Global Environment Facility adopted at Geneva, Switzerland, between 14 and 16 March 1994.
The Global Environment Facility was established in 1991 by the World Bank as a pilot programme to assist in the protection of the global environment and the promotion of environmentally sustainable economic development. Following the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and the designation of the GEF on an interim basis to operate the financial mechanisms provided for in the Climate Change and Biodiversity Conventions, the GEF was restructured in 1994 to broaden its membership and further facilitate participation by developing countries. The World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme are now the implementing agencies for the GEF.
At the time of the GEF restructuring, Ireland gave formal notice that, subject to Dáil approval, it intended to become a member of the GEF. The purpose of today's debate is to comply with Article 29.5.2º of the Constitution which requires Dáil approval to international agreements which involve a charge on public funds and to allow Ireland to take on full membership responsibilities of the GEF.
The GEF was established in 1991 in response to the perceived need to provide financial assistance to developing countries, over and above traditional development aid, to assist them in combating global environmental problems. The GEF also reflects the now widespread awareness of the seriousness of global and regional environmental problems. Dangers that seemed exaggerated ten or 15 years ago, such as climate change, ozone layer depletion and biodiversity loss are now accepted to be real and urgent.
It is generally accepted that the developed world has to take the lead in responding to these problems. Apart from the fact that developed countries have, historically, contributed most to the environmental problems now facing us, they have at their disposal to a greater extent the financial, human and technology resources necessary to deal with these problems. It is also the case, however, that action by developed countries alone will not be sufficient. Measures at the widest possible level, including efforts by developing countries in accordance with their capabilities and stage of economic development, are needed if the environmental problems facing the world are to be dealt with effectively.
The major new international conventions on climate change, biodiversity and ozone depleting substances have all, therefore, acknowledged that (a) developed countries must take the lead in combating global environmental problems; (b) the responsibilities of developing countries must be differentiated according to their capabilities; and (c) developed countries should assist developing countries in responding to environmental problems through the provision of financial resources and access to environmentally sound technologies. It is in this context that the GEF has emerged as a multilateral mechanism for the channelling of resources to developing countries.
At present 155 countries participate in the GEF, of which 22, including Ireland, are non-recipients of GEF support. The GEF governing structure consists of an assembly representative of all members which meets every three years to review and evaluate general policies; an executive council which meets every six months, and a secretariat.
The GEF has a fund of more than US$2 billion pledged by donor countries for the period 1994-97. The funds will be allocated to projects over the period April 1996 to October 2005 and will be drawn down over this period. Total payments are expected to reach some US$390 million by the end of 1996.
The Global Environment Facility provides grant and concessional funds to developing countries for activities aimed at protecting the global environment in four focal areas: biodiversity, climate change, international waters, and ozone layer depletion. The issues of land degradation, primarily desertification and deforestation, as they relate to each focal area, are also addressed.
In the areas of climate change and biodiversity the GEF operates on an interim basis the financial mechanisms for implementing the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity. In these cases the GEF must operate in conformity with the policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria decided by the conferences of the parties for each of these conventions.
It is appropriate to outline for the House some of the activities financed by the GEF in its main programme areas. In the area of biodiversity, nine projects with combined financing of US$65 million were approved for inclusion in the 1995 GEF work programme. These projects include conservation, protection, management, development and restoration work in threatened priority sites in nine developing countries. The activities outlined in the project descriptions are varied and include tropical forest protection, wildlife preservation, ecosystems conservation and habitat restoration. Considerable emphasis is placed on working directly with the indigenous peoples of the areas concerned.
Deputies will be aware that the House passed a motion on 6 March last approving the ratification by Ireland of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The aim of the convention is, inter alia, the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources.
In the climate change area, the GEF 1995 work programme consisted of a series of enabling activities, with emphasis on demonstration projects. A total of 19 projects in the climate change focal area were approved with combined financing of approximately US$31 million. A feature of the aid administered in this area is that many of the benefiting projects will be of a regional nature rather than being confined to a single country.
The ultimate objective of the Climate Change Convention, which Ireland ratified in 1994, is to achieve a stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous man-made interference with the climate system. The convention requires developed countries to take the lead in responding to climate change and to adopt policies and measures to mitigate climate change by, inter alia, limiting emissions of greenhouse gases. The convention requires developing countries to develop national programmes containing measures to mitigate climate change.
The GEF council has also approved a Preliminary Operational Strategy for International Waters. Current programme priorities in this area are focused on management of freshwater basins, including lakes, reservoirs and transboundary groundwater systems, and pollution. Two projects, at a cost of US$687,000 were approved during 1995 and related to activities in the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden and the Lake Chad basin.
Notice taken that 20 Members were not present; House counted and 20 Members being present,