Washington, DC, 21 September 2026 — The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will convene a high-level discussion at the Science Summit 2026 to explore how scientific evidence can better inform environmental investment and accelerate solutions that deliver lasting global environmental benefits.
Held under the theme “From Science to Environmental Action: Strengthening Evidence-based Global Investment,” the session will bring together leaders from science, finance, policy, and implementation to examine how research can guide investment decisions and support scalable, high-impact environmental solutions. The event forms part of Science Summit 2026, which takes place alongside the UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week NYC. It will provide a platform for dialogue among researchers, development finance institutions, investors, policymakers, multilateral organizations, philanthropies, private sector actors, and practitioners working directly with communities and ecosystems.
The discussion comes at a pivotal moment as the GEF enters its GEF-9 replenishment cycle (2026-2030), which emphasizes systems-level investments, innovation, private sector engagement, and inclusive approaches to environmental action. A key focus will be how to translate scientific research into investable solutions. Participants will explore ways to make scientific evidence more accessible and actionable for decision-makers, while helping investors and development institutions better articulate the knowledge needed to support effective environmental investments that can deliver lasting global environmental benefits.
As the GEF’s independent scientific advisory body, STAP supports the integration of science into environmental decision-making through three key pathways:
- Informing GEF strategy and priorities with global scientific evidence
- Strengthening investment design to foster innovation and long-term impact
- Supporting adaptive management and learning throughout project implementation
The session will feature representatives from academia, development finance institutions, philanthropy, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, civil society, the private sector, GEF Agencies, partner organizations, and scientific bodies supporting multilateral environmental agreements.
Beyond knowledge exchange, STAP and GEF aim to foster collaboration, strengthen networks, and deepen engagement between science, policy, finance, and implementation communities. More focus will be on increasing participation from the Global South and strengthening partnerships with investors and private sector stakeholders.
Ultimately, the discussion seeks to ensure that science plays a central role in shaping environmental investments and delivering sustainable, long-term outcomes at scale.
