Co-benefits in the GEF are defined as any positive effect that an intervention aimed at one environmental objective might have on other objectives. Co-benefits are also commonly referred to in the GEF as those benefits that are not GEBs, such as improved livelihoods.
In its brief, STAP suggests that it is necessary to classify differently those co-benefits which are pre-requisites and thereby essential for durable GEBs, from those co-benefits which are incidental to project implementation. Incidental benefits are not critical to achieving GEBs, but they may be important to demonstrating the GEF’s added value and economic impact. the GEF should not be concerned about investing effort in measuring and monitoring incidental co-benefits. STAP suggests for the GEF to treat and report these classes of co-benefits differently.
