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Introduction
UNEP is a global authority that works towards setting environment agenda and implementation of the environment Programmes at global level. It was established in the Stockholm concern in the year 1972 by Maurice Strong. UN takes the alternative name UN environment. It also holds secretariat of various bodies like Convention of international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna (CITES), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), The Minamata convention and so on.
Mandate
Its mandate is to:
- Provide leadership
- Deliver sciences
- And to provide solutions to a wide range of environmental issues like climate change, global warming etc.
- Management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems
- Sets environment agreement
- Helps countries achieve environmental agreement.
- Helps the world meet 17 sustainable development goals.
Headquarters
The headquarters of UNEP is in Nairobi, Kenya.
Parent Organisation
The Parent Organisation of the United Nations Environment Programme is the United Nations.
Mission
The missions of UNEP are to
- Provide leadership
- Provide Partnership
In caring for the environment by inspiring, encouraging nations to improve the quality of life without compromising the future generations. That is to move on the sustainable track.
Functions
- Asses environmental conditions, patterns trends at different levels.
- Development of international agreements
- Forming national environment instruments
- Strengthening institutions for better Environmental management.
UNEP is governed by the United Nations Environment Assembly.
Activities
UNEP activities are mainly related to:
- Climate change
- Territorial approach to climate change
- Preparation for future disasters be it on human hath or natural disasters.
- Supporting to reduce the origin of disasters by maintaining the ecosystem balance.
- Help in making laws and policies with an agenda to reduce the risk of disasters and damage in the country
- Works to resource efficiency that is efficient and sustainable use of resources to preserve it for future generations as well.
- Deals with proper disposal of chemicals and waste
- It works on managing ecosystem Affairs
Award and Programs
Various awards kike the Global 500 Roll of Honour in the year 1987 followed by Champions of the Earth in the year 2005 and similarly young champions of the world are established to recognise and encourage the excellent work in the environment sector.They are given to entrepreneurs, scientists, and organisations for work towards the environment.
Notable achievements
- Montreal Protocol- In the year 1987, For limiting the Greenhouse gases emissions that have caused thinning of the ozone layer.
- Minamata Convention- In the year of 2012 a treaty to limit toxic Mercury.
- International Environmental Education Programme (1975-95)
- Regional seas programme (1974)
- Electric vehicles (2004, in Magdeburg environment conference)
- Circular economy
Governance
- Executive director – the first executive director is Maurice strong; he was unanimously elected by the united nation general assembly. The current executive director is Inger Andersen by António Guterres in 2019
- Environment assembly- The United Nations Environment Assembly was founded in 2012 as a replacement of the governing council. It is the main governing body of the Unipoint has 193 members and conducts meetings every two years.
Structure of UNEP
UNEP has eight division these are discussed as follows:
- Science Division- It provides scientifically proven and reliable Assessment of environmental issues. Based on the assessment it provides the early warning of environmental emergencies to countries. It works to monitor the sustainable development goals and the 2030 agenda.
- Policy and Program Division-It serves as a link between various departments of the UNEP, so it’s a coordinating division. Further it also works towards making policy and Programmes.
- Economy Division -It works along with business run make them sustainable and environment friendly items of their appriach.it has three main branches these are:
- Resource and market
- Chemicals and health
- Energy and climate
- Ecosystem Division -It is a division which helps the government’s if various countries in their conservation, restoration process of the ecosystem. It addresses the growing concern of climate change and tries to help and support countries to reduce pollution, increase environment friendly development etc.
- Governance affairs office – this office serves the United Nations Environment Assembly and other additional organs like the committee of permanent representatives and manages meetings. It makes the authority of the assembly strong and thereby it acts as a voice of the environment.
- Law division-This division develops laws relating to the environment, that is environmental laws. It works with countries to combat environmental crime. It is a linking body between the lawmakers, people who make the environmental laws across the globe. It also helps in meeting international standards and commitments.
- Communication division – This division is the face of UNEP. It plays a role in dissemination of its messages to various governments and individuals through different media – digital or conventional.
- Corporate services Division- this division works to handle UNEP’s corporate interests such as management of the corporate affairs and preventing any financial risk.
Areas of Work
- Air
- Biosafety
- Disasters and conflicts
- Energy
- Environment under review
- Environmental rights
- Forests
- Gender
- Green economy
- Ocean and seas
- Resource efficiency
- Sustainable development goals
- Technical
- Transport
- Water
- Youth, education and environment
Conclusion
UNEP is a global authority that is the voice of the environment .It works towards programmes focused on climate ,nature, sustainable development and issues related to the environment. UNEP acts as a catalyst that helps countries to get developed in a manner that is Environment friendly and is sustainable.
