The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was created in 1972. It is important since it offers leadership and develops solutions for a number of issues related to the environment, including climate change, the supervision of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and also the development of a green economy. The role of UNEP is to develop international agreements on environmental issues, and also the promotion of environmental science. It aids national governments in achieving their environmental targets. The mission of UNEP is to motivate partnerships to care for the environment through inspiration, advising, and allowing nations to enhance their quality of life.

Structure of UNEP

The United Nations Environment Programme has eight divisions:

  1.   Communication Division- The communication division of UNEP develops and circulates the messages of the programme. It circulates the information to the governments, partners, and stakeholders via digital and traditional channels of media. This division gives advice about environmental causes, involves the public, and looks for ways to influence policies.
  2.   Corporate Services Division: The function of this division is to protect the corporate interests of UNEP, and deliver necessary tools and plans to effectively and efficiently manage the exposure to risks. It performs its functions parallel with the main values of the United Nations and also it abides by all the rules and regulations.
  3.   Economy Division- It provides advice to businesses so that they can carry on their activities while being conscious of the environment. The three branches of the economy division are Chemicals and health, Energy and climate, and Resources and markets.
  4.   Ecosystems Divisions: It provides support to countries to conserve, restore, and manage their terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems sustainably. It also helps in managing their biodiversity, and the products and services being provided by them for the purpose of human well-being and ease.
  5.   Governance Affairs Office: It helps the members of UNEP to participate in its work. Its aim is to make the visibility and authority of the assembly strong as an influential voice on matters related to the environment.
  6.   Law Division: It is helpful in developing laws regarding the environment. For fighting environmental crime, it works with the member countries to meet international environmental obligations. The goal of this division is the improvement of cooperation between the law-making bodies around the world.
  7.   Policy and Programme Division: This division formulates policies for the UNEP. This division makes sure that the other divisions are coordinated and adhere to the policies.
  8.   Science Division: This division’s objective is to deliver scientifically reliable assessments and information regarding sustainable development. It provides information about the state of the global environment, and evaluates policies and intents to make a timely warning about any environmental threats that may emerge.

Areas Of Attention For UNEP

UNEP has prepared its programme of work in six areas in order to get management based on results. The areas are-

  • Climate change: Climate change is a growing concern for the world. The abilities of countries are strengthened by UNEP so that they can take part in responses to climate change by offering leadership in adaptation, alleviation, technology, and finance. It focuses on assisting the conversion towards low-carbon societies, making improvements in the understanding of climate sciences, and assisting in the development of renewable energy.
  • Post-conflict disaster management: UNEP makes assessments about the environment of countries that are crisis-affected, and offers direction to implement institutional frameworks so that they can improve their environmental management.
  • Ecosystem Management: It assists the management and re-establishment of ecosystems in a way that is constant with sustainable development.
  • Environmental Governance: It provides support to the governments of countries in implementing laws, policies, and programs that will help in achieving sustainable development at the national, as well as global levels.
  • Harmful substances: It attempts to minimise the effect of harmful and hazardous substances on the environment.
  • Resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production: Its objective is to make efforts on global levels to make sure the natural resources are produced and consumed in an environmentally friendly way.

Conclusion

The United Nations Environment Programme is an international authority that works to make the environmental standards strong, and helps countries implement policies and environmental responsibilities at national and regional levels. It was set up in 1972 by the United Nations. It has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and it works through its different divisions. It has a total of eight divisions, each with separate functions and duties of its own. The organisations hold meetings on many environmental concerns like climate change, ecosystem management, sustainable consumption of natural resources, etc. It raises awareness in countries regarding issues of the environment.