Recognizing the importance of energy for economic development, as well as the negative effects of inefficient energy use, the GEF has made it a strategic objective to support projects
that not only promote the transfer of energy-efficient technologies but also work with regulatory institutions on reforming policies and regulations to foster energy efficiency.

As an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the GEF has supported climate change mitigation efforts in developing countries during since 1991 in close cooperation with recipient countries and the GEF implementing Agencies. The GEF’s work on climate change has maintained a strong focus on the transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs), closely aligned with the UNFCCC’s technology transfer framework.