Why do harmful practices persist despite clear evidence of their impacts? This STAP Information Note shows how "lock-in" — the reinforcing interplay of economic, technological, institutional, and social dynamics — entrenches unsustainable systems and undermines progress toward global environmental benefits. It draws on two case studies, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and PFAS use in lithium-ion batteries, to illustrate how both long-standing and emerging challenges become embedded in these dynamics, with consequences for ecosystem health, pollution, and sustainable development. Applying a lock-in lens helps identify high-leverage entry points for GEF interventions, combining upstream actions to address root causes with downstream measures to reduce environmental harm. By targeting these structural drivers across focal areas, the GEF can catalyze more durable, system-wide change and strengthen the delivery of long-term global environmental benefits.
