United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

It is an international organization that coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its headquarters in the Gigiri neighbourhood of Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP also has six regional offices and various country offices.

Its activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance and green economy. It has played a significant role in developing international environmental conventions, promoting environmental science and information and illustrating the way those can be implemented in conjunction with policy, working on the development and implementation of policy with national governments, regional institutions in conjunction with environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). UNEP has also been active in funding and implementing environment related development projects.

UNEP has aided in the formulation of guidelines and treaties on issues such as the international trade in potentially harmful chemicals, transboundary air pollution, and contamination of international waterways.

The World Meteorological Organization and UNEP established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. UNEP is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, and it is also a member of the United Nations Development Group.

Responsibilities of UNEP

1. Promoting international cooperation in the field of the environment and recommending appropriate policies.
2. Catalysing action to address major environrnf ntal threats.
3. Monitoring the status of the global environment gathering and disseminating environmental information.
4. Facilitating the coordination of United Nations activities on matters concerned with the environment, and ensuring, through cooperation, liaison and participation, that their activities take environmental considerations into account.
5. Helping upon request, environment ministries and other environmental authorities, in particular in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to formulate and implement environmental policies.
6. Helping to develop international environmental law.
7. Providing expert advice on the development and use of environmental concepts and instruments.
8. Developing regional programmes for the environment. The major results of UNEP activities should include:
9. International arrangements to enhance environmental protection and policy advice to governments, multilateral organisations and others to strengthen environmental protection and incorporate the environment into the sustainable development process.
10. Periodic assessments and scientifically sound forecasts to support decision-making and international consensus on the main environmental threats and responses to them.
11. More effective coordination of environmental matters within the United Nations system.
12. Greater public awareness and capacity for environmental management and effective national and international responses to environmental threats.
    
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