Support can come from bilateral donors, multilateral sources, or the private sector.
Its role is to transfer funds and technology to developing countries and to countries with economies in transition on a grant or concessional basis. The Global Environment Facility was established in 1990, before the start of the Convention negotiations. The idea of an international mechanism to support projects benefiting the global environment was first discussed in 1987 by the Brundtland Commission. By the time the Earth Summit was held in 1992, the GEF was considered a possible source of funds for the implementation of the biodiversity and climate change conventions. GEF funds complement regular development assistance, offering developing countries the opportunity to incorporate environmentally-friendly features that address global environmental concerns.