UNEP - Definition and Overview

Klaus Töpfer, UNEP Exec. Director

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices. It was founded on

Its activities cover a wide range of issues, from atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems, the promotion of environmental science and information, to an early warning and emergency response capacity to deal with environmental disasters and emergencies.

The UNEP has developed guidelines and treaties on issues such as the international transport of potentially harmful chemicals, transboundary air pollution, and contamination of international waterways.

The World Meteorological Organization and the UNEP established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. UNEP is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Globel Environment Facility (GEF).

See also

• United Nations
• Conference on the Human Environment: 1972, Stockholm, Sweden
• World Commission on Environment and Development: 1982, Nairobi, Kenya
• Conference on Environment and Development: 1992, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• World Summit on Sustainable Development: 2002, Johannesburg, South Africa

External links

• Official UNEP Website (http://www.unep.org)
• United Nations Environment Network (http://www.unep.net)
• Global Environment Facility (http://www.thegef.org)
• United Nations Earthwatch (http://earthwatch.unep.net)