The project will develop Costa Rica's institutional capability and technical procedures to provide the scientific underpinning for policy analysis and decision making in greenhouse gas reduction and sinks enhacement; develop portfolio of cost effective GHG reduction and sinks enhancements policy options, measures and strategies; and catalyze mitigation policy and legislation development and implementation.

With PDF "B" funding, the three GEF Implementing Agencies have together assisted the countries of the Red Sea and PERSGA (Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden) in the drafting of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP). The SAP, under the present full project, aims to develop and implement a regional framework for protection of the environmental and sustainable development of coastal and marine resources. This project is jointly implemented with the World Bank and UNEP. Associated projects amount to $271 million.

The long-term objective of the project is to foster sustainable institutional and financial arrangements for effective environmental management and protection of the Black Sea, in accordance with the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan (BSSAP). The project will provide for the development of the National Black Sea Strategic Action Plans and it will support institution-building at the national and regional level for the development and implementation of such plans.

The immediate goal for this project is to prepare for funding pollution prevention and reduction activities to both restore the Danube River Basin and to protect the Black Sea environment. The main output will be prioritised pollution projects for co-financing by national and international sources, set within a strategic policy framework for the Danube and Black Sea Basin.

The main objective of this project is to assist Latvia in the rapid phase-out of ODS consistent with international efforts in this direction. Assistance to enterprises representing the bulk of the consumption of ODS, would enable them to make the transition to non-ODS materials before legal supplies of ODS are discontinued. The project will also enable Latvia to meet its phase-out obligations under the Montreal Protocol within a realistic time frame, and also ensure availability of technical assistance and to expedite the Country Programme implementation.

The main objective of this project is to assist Lithuania in the rapid phase-out of ODS consistent with international efforts in this direction. Assistance to enterprises representing the bulk of the consumption of ODS, would enable them to make the transition to non-ODS materials before legal supplies of ODS are discontinued. The project will also enable Lithuania to meet its phase-out obligations under the Montreal Protocol within a realistic time frame, and also ensure availability of technical assistance and to expedite the Country Programme implementation.

UNDP administer the GEF Small Grants Programme on behalf of the three GEF partner agencies. The program supports grassroots action that addresses global environmental problems. A key challenge in this effort is to identify community-based approaches that are relevant to people's daily needs and lives, while making a real contribution to the four GEF priority areas.

The infestation of bodies of water by invasive aquatic plants (IAP) initially observed in the early 1980s is now reaching alarming proportions. The main invasive species is Eichhornia crassipes but Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes have also been observed, as have other species (lotus, nymphaea, etc.). These weeds are seriously impacting the life of the riparian human population. They also pose a threat to aquatic life. Some fresh water bodies are entirely covered.

Support for government conservation strategy through assistance in establishing two pilot areas for Integrated Conservation and Development. Includes building technical and institutional capacity of resource centre, awareness enhancement, establishment of biodiversity objects and monitoring criteria, and implementation of sustainable development practices and alternative income opportunities.

The objective of this project is to develop elements which permit consolidation of a new strategy of development in the Darien region and its adjacent areas, based on the application of scientific knowledge and the identification of options for the management of biodiversity which guarantee its sustainable protection and use, in cooperation with local communities.