GEF 7 Coral Reef Rescue: Resilient Coral Reefs, Resilient Communities Project

A global analysis led by The University of Queensland identified a portfolio of coral reefs that have lower exposure to climate change stress due to local oceanographic conditions such as currents and upwelling. Approximately 80% of these climate refuge reefs are found in developing countries and ~70% of these reefs are concentrated in just 7 countries: Cuba, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Philippines, Madagascar, and Tanzania.  

Despite being less exposed to climate change, all climate refuge reefs are facing decline and loss of resilience due to increasing local pressures. Given their importance as a source of reef regeneration in a ‘climate stabilised world’, a global multistakeholder partnership the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (CRRI) was formed to focus efforts and investments on protecting these globally significant climate refuge reefs. 

The GEF7 Coral Reef Rescue: Resilient Coral Reefs, Resilient Communities Project contributes to the CRRI by building capacity and solutions that ensure the long-term survival of climate refuge coral reef ecosystems in 6 of these 7 countries: Philippines, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Madagascar.

Project-specific Grievance Redress Mechanism

Project-affected communities and other interested stakeholders may raise a grievance at any time to the Coral Reef Rescue Project Management Unit.

If you should need to file a grievance, contact the:

Project Management Unit, University of Queensland International Development at:

Email: pmu.crri@uq.edu.au

Mailing Address:
Project Management Unit
GEF Coral Reef Rescue Project
International Development
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Queensland, 4072
Australia.

Complaints may be submitted in the Affected Party’s native language and should include the following information:

• Complainant’s name and contact information (if not filed directly by the complainant, proof that those representing the affected people have authority to do so);
• The harm that is or may be resulting from the project;
• The relevant Environmental and Social Safeguards policy or provision (if known);
• Any other relevant information or documents;
• Any actions taken so far to resolve the problem;
• Proposed solutions; and
• Whether confidentiality is requested (stating reasons).

The PMU will respond within 10 business days of receipt, and claims will be filed and included in project monitoring.

WWF GEF Agency Grievance Mechanism

In addition to the project-specific grievance redress mechanism, a complainant can submit a grievance to the WWF GEF Agency. A grievance can be filed with the Project Complaints Officer (PCO), a WWF staff member fully independent from the Project Team, who is responsible for the WWF Accountability and Grievance Mechanism and who can be reached at:

Email: SafeguardsComplaint@wwfus.org

Mailing address:
Project Complaints Officer Safeguards Complaints, World Wildlife Fund
1250 24th Street NW
Washington, DC 20037

Stakeholders may also submit a complaint online through an independent third-party platform.

GEF Secretariat Conflict Resolution Commissioner

GEF Policy also establishes the position of GEF Conflict Resolution Commissioner in the GEF Secretariat and a person concerned about a GEF-financed project may submit a complaint to the GEF Resolution Commissioner. Complaints submitted to the Commissioner should be in writing and can be in any language. The complaint should provide a general description of the nature of the concerns, the type of harm that may result, and (where relevant) the GEF-funded projects or program at issue.

A complaint can be filed by email or letter to:

Mr Peter Lallas
GEF Conflict Resolution Commissioner
E-mail: plallas@thegef.org

Mailing Address:
Mr Peter Lallas
Global Environment Facility The World Bank Group, MSN
N8-800 1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433-002