A £40 million grant programme launched this week will help
projects around the world put the power of biodiversity at the
forefront of our fight against climate change and poverty.
First announced in 2021 at the Climate Change Conference COP26 in
Glasgow, the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) was
established to bridge research gaps and further understanding on
the crucial role biodiversity can play in tackling climate change
and poverty in ODA-eligible countries across the world. By
fostering collaboration between experts and research disciplines,
the GCBC strives to shape decision-making and unlock finance for
natural solutions to climate change and poverty.
During its pilot phase, the GCBC funded a range of innovative
projects including:
- Working with local communities to improve environmental and
social outcomes for a disused mine site with a negative legacy in
the Philippines
- Developing temperature resilient wild seaweed cultivars in
collaboration with indigenous seaweed farming communities in
Malaysia
- Protecting globally important ecosystems and irreplaceable
biodiversity and supporting climate resilient food security by
mapping plant bioresources in Tropical Important Plant Areas in
Guinea and Ethiopia
- Creating a community-led governance model that integrates
strategies for climate resilience, low-carbon and sustainable
growth in a Colombian coffee-growing region
With around £7 million available in the first round, successful
applicants have the opportunity to secure up to £750,000 through
the GCBC’s Official Development Assistance programme to deliver
policy-relevant research on how the conservation and sustainable
use of biodiversity can help address climate change and improve
livelihoods of some of the world’s most vulnerable
populations. Applications are open to a diverse range of
local and international partners, from non-governmental
organisations to academic institutions.
The establishment and goals of the GCBC will help deliver on our
climate and biodiversity commitments, the implementation of the
Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Global Biodiversity
Framework targets, which are inherently intertwined with climate
change.
More information, including on eligibility and how to apply, can
be found here: www.gcbc.org.uk
