United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) dedicated to environmental protection and stewardship. It was established in 1972 to promote international environmental cooperation, and it strengthens scientific cooperation and encourages the exchange of information between member states. As the sustainable development arm of the UN, UNEP is tasked with finding solutions to environmental problems and helping to secure a healthier planet for future generations.
UNEP works to protect the environment, prevent pollution and reduce resource depletion, promote conservation and sensible use of resources, and coordinate international efforts to secure sustainable development. As global climate change become increasingly visible, UNEP works to address the causes and consequences of these changes with the goal of mitigating their impacts on human and ecological communities. UNEP also works on issues of air and water quality, access to clean and sustainable energy sources, biodiversity conservation, and global waste management.
UNEP produces a wide range of research and assessment materials on environmental issues, including an authoritative annual report called GEO (Global Environment Outlook) and a global environmental database called GRID (Global Resource Information Database). GEO assesses environmental conditions and trends in each ecosystem and identifies the cause and effect links between them. GRID provides access to a comprehensive set of environmental information, including climate data and analyses.
In concert with its core assessment and research functions, UNEP works to build international consensus on environmental strategies and policies. It develops environmental programmes and campaigns; advocates the use of environmental law; and provides various forms of capacity building and financial support. In addition, UNEP is involved in efforts to combat poverty, help communities adapt to climate change, and reduce conflicts over resources and pollution.
The overall objective of UNEP is to help bring about sustainable global development by facilitating the equitable use of resources. By doing so, UNEP hopes to ensure healthy ecosystems and to promote economic growth in a way that does not lead to the depletion of global resources and the degradation of the environment. In this way, UNEP helps to bridge the gap between the world’s diverse needs and interests, allowing our planet to thrive for many generations to come.
