The twin threats of climate change and the loss of global biodiversity are intrinsically connected. The scientific community highlights that biodiversity loss and nature crises are heightened by climate change, which also compromises ecosystems' ability to adapt to and mitigate these changes. The need to immediately tackle the interconnected crises applying social justice lens is further emphasized by their disproportionate impact on women, children, indigenous people, and disadvantaged populations. However, the efforts from countries to reduce their emissions and meet ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) find outstanding co-benefits in nature.
The GEF Mitigation Unit supports developing countries and their economies in achieving this dual objective through the GEF funded Net-Zero Nature Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme (NZNPA IP). Led by UNEP in partnership with ADB, CAF and other partners and stakeholders, the Programme ties together net-zero and nature-positive considerations, through an integrated approach and ensuring policy coherence that links both agendas, maximizing synergies and minimizing trade-offs.
The 6-year long Programme that kicked off in 2025 is expected to generate global environmental benefits (GEBs) towards climate, biodiversity and land degradation by:
- Supporting ambitious target setting
- Inclusive governance frameworks and coordination systems
- Enhancing policy coherence and cross-sectoral policy shifts
- Successful finance mobilization including with private finance intermediaries and working with UNEP FI
- Robust long-term monitoring schemes, promoting and scaling-up innovative solutions
- Engagement of a variety of stakeholders from all sectors, including government, industry and civil society.
- Facilitating dialogue and exchange of knowledge, experiences and good practices on its Global Coordination Platform
The Net-Zero Nature Positive IP will be delivered through 12 national child projects in: Mexico, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Tanzania, Mauritius, Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia
Disclaimer: The inclusion of non-UN events on this map does not imply full endorsement or participation by UNEP, UN-Habitat or other UN agencies
The NZNPA IP is delivered through 12 national child projects in: Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Indonesia. Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Viet Nam.
To discuss partnering with UNEP on a GEF project or programme, contact:
Asher Lessels, Head (a.i.), GEF Mitigation Unit [asher.lessels@un.org]
