United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the principal global environmental authority responsible for setting the global environmental agenda and serving as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP drives the environmental element of the sustainable development plan put into place by the United Nations (UN).
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OVERVIEW
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) assesses environmental trends and conditions on a national, regional and global scale and promotes the wise management of the environment through the development of national and international instruments, and by strengthening institutions to enforce environmental protection standards. Underpinning UNEP’s work is their commitment to sustainability and to facilitating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their work can be divided into seven broad areas, including resource efficiency, climate change, environmental governance, disasters and conflicts, chemicals and waste, ecosystem management, and environment under review.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP also has six regional offices and maintains offices in Paris and Geneva. Backed up by a growing network of centres of excellence, UNEP aims to promote international cooperation and provide policy guidance to assist countries in developing sustainable development strategies. It also hosts a variety of environment convention secretariats, among which include the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity was introduced on 29th December 1993, revolving around three main objectives;
- The conservation of biological diversity,
- The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and
- The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources.
To date, the convention has held fourteen conference meetings (the last occurring in November 2018) focusing on current issues affecting biodiversity and how the world’s resources can be effectively utilised to achieve a sustainable future and create benefits that can be shared by future generations.
UNEP’s approach to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is characterised by four core principles; universality, integration, human rights and equity, and innovation. To pursue the SDGs, UNEP has formed a large network of partnerships including Connect 4 Climate, International Conservation Caucus Foundation, Nippon TV and many more, supporting their four-principles-approach as nations work collectively to address inequalities and implement measures that balance the interconnected areas of the social, environmental and economic dimensions.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our 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.
FUNDING SOURCES
UNEP relies on its partners for a source of funds and relies heavily on voluntary contributions, which accounts for 95% of UNEP’s income. UNEP’s core source of funds arises from contributions to the Environment Fund, provided by its 193 member states, as well as earmarked funds.
Key contributors (in descending order of total contribution amount) to the Environment Fund include the Netherlands, Germany, France, United States of America, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway.
Earmarked contributions are made by donors which are earmarked to be used in specific projects and specific countries or to a specific theme or sub-programme. The most prominent providers of earmarked funds include the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund and the European Commission.
ORGANISATION TYPE
YEAR ESTABLISHED
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RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits
Mo’otz Kuxtal guidelines
The Tkarihwaié: RI code of ethical conduct to endure respect for the cultural and intellectual heritage of indigenous and local communities
Akwé: Kon guidelines
The climate-nature nexus: An investor guide to expanding from climate to nature-data
Nature risk profile: A methodology for profiling nature related dependencies and impacts
The state of Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ lands and territories
Beyond 'business as usual': Biodiversity targets and finance - Managing biodiversity risks across business sectors
UN Environment Programme's emissions gap report series
Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT)
SBTN sector materiality tool
Indicators for the Kunming – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Species+
Land use finance impact hub
UN world conservation monitoring centre (UN-WCMC)
Setting sail: Target setting in the sustainable blue economy
Reporting framework for the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative
Cooler finance: Mobilizing investment for the developing world’s sustainable cooling needs
A tool for developing credible transition plans: Public edition for asset owner pilot-testing
UNEP's state of finance for nature series
Beyond an age of waste: Turning rubbish into a resource
Environmental risk analysis by financial institutions: A review of global practice
Guide to banking and sustainability - edition 2
Prioritising nature-related disclosures: Considerations for high-risk sectors
UN Environment Programme's adaptation gap report series
Guide for responsible corporate engagement in climate policy: A Caring for Climate report
OVERVIEW REFERENCES
- https://www.unenvironment.org/about-un-environment/what-we-do
- https://www.unenvironment.org/about-un-environment/why-does-un-environment-matter
- https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/unep-assessment.pdf
- https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/9851/-The_United_Nations_Environment_Programme_and_the_2030_Agenda_Global_Action_for_People_and_the_Planet-2015EO_Brochure_WebV.pdf.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y#:~:text=UNEP's%20goal%20is%20to%20support,rights%20and%20equity%2C%20and%20innovation.
- https://www.cbd.int/intro/
- https://www.unenvironment.org/regions/north-america/our-work-north-america/partners#:~:text=in%20North%20America-,Partners,society%2C%20and%20the%20scientific%20community.