For the GEF, policy coherence can be defined as an approach to integrate environmental objectives in domestic policy-making by: fostering synergies, maximizing benefits, and managing trade-offs across economic, social and environmental policy areas; and balancing domestic policy objectives with commitments under the multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).
Policy coherence matters to the GEF to ensure that global environmental benefits (GEBs) created by its projects are not undermined or negated due to misaligned policies that allow leakage, reduce the durability of GEBs, or even invest in environmentally-damaging behaviors, recognizing that a balance needs to be struck with a country's economic and social objectives.
The paper defines what good policy coherence means for the GEF, and suggests ways the GEF can think about how to operationalize and synergize its approaches to policy coherence. The paper also provides tools which could be deployed at different levels, including some already used by ADB, UNDP, UNEP, and the World Bank, as well as the OECD and GIZ.
