The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
The programmes mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UNEP work encompasses:
- Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends
- Developing international and national environmental instruments
- Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment
Priorities
- Climate Change: Strengthen the ability of countries, in particular developing countries, to integrate climate change responses into national development processes.
- Disasters and Conflicts: Minimize threats to human well-being from the environmental causes and consequences of existing and potential natural and man-made disasters.
- Ecosystem Management: Ensure that countries use the ecosystem approach: the holistic management of land, water and living resources to promote conservation and sustainable use to enhance human well-being.
- Environmental Governance: Ensure that environmental governance and interactions at the country, regional and global levels are strengthened to address environmental priorities.
- Chemicals and Waste: Minimize the impact of harmful substances and hazardous waste on the environment and people.
- Resource Efficiency: Fostering sustainable consumption and production by leading global efforts to ensure natural resources are produced, processed and consumed in a more sustainable way.
- Environment under Review: Providing open web platforms, services and access to timely, substantiated knowledge about the environment and emerging issues to allow for informed decision-making.
For more information, please visit UNEP.
