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== United Nations Environment Programme ==
{{DISPLAYTITLE:United Nations Environment Programme}}


The '''United Nations Environment Programme''' ('''UNEP''') is an agency of the [[United Nations]] responsible for coordinating the organization's environmental activities and assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. UNEP was founded as a result of the [[United Nations Conference on the Human Environment]] in June 1972 and is headquartered in [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]].
[[File:UNEP_logo.svg|thumb|right|The logo of the United Nations Environment Programme]]


== History ==
The '''United Nations Environment Programme''' ('''UNEP''') is an agency of the [[United Nations]] that coordinates the organization's environmental activities and assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. UNEP was founded as a result of the [[United Nations Conference on the Human Environment]] in June 1972 and is headquartered in [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]].


UNEP was established following the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]]. The conference was the first major international gathering to discuss global environmental issues, and it led to the creation of UNEP to act as a global advocate for the environment. [[Maurice Strong]], who was the Secretary-General of the conference, became the first Executive Director of UNEP.
==History==


== Functions ==
[[File:Maurice_Strong.jpg|thumb|left|Maurice Strong, the first Executive Director of UNEP]]


UNEP's 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. UNEP works in seven broad thematic areas:
The establishment of UNEP was a significant outcome of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]]. The conference was the first major international gathering to discuss global environmental issues, and it led to the creation of UNEP to act as a global advocate for the environment.


* [[Climate change]]
Maurice Strong, a Canadian diplomat and environmentalist, was appointed as the first Executive Director of UNEP. Under his leadership, UNEP began to address a wide range of environmental issues, including the protection of the [[ozone layer]], the management of [[marine pollution]], and the promotion of [[sustainable development]].
* [[Disasters and conflicts]]
* [[Ecosystem management]]
* [[Environmental governance]]
* [[Chemicals and waste]]
* [[Resource efficiency]]
* [[Environment under review]]


== Major Initiatives ==
==Mandate and Functions==


UNEP has been involved in several major environmental initiatives, including:
UNEP's mandate 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. UNEP's work encompasses:


* The [[Montreal Protocol]] on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
* Assessing global, regional, and national environmental conditions and trends.
* The [[Convention on Biological Diversity]]
* Developing international and national environmental instruments.
* The [[Minamata Convention on Mercury]]
* Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment.
* The [[Global Environment Outlook]]
* Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology for sustainable development.


== Executive Directors ==
==Key Initiatives==


UNEP has had several Executive Directors since its inception:
UNEP has been instrumental in the development of international environmental conventions, promoting environmental science and information, and fostering partnerships with other UN agencies, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.


===Ozone Layer Protection===


== Related Pages ==
UNEP played a crucial role in the development of the [[Montreal Protocol]], an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion.


* [[United Nations Development Programme]]
===Climate Change===
* [[World Health Organization]]
 
* [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]]
[[File:22dec07-COP15-Sec-Gen-Media-3206_(52549456365).jpg|thumb|right|UNEP at COP15]]
 
UNEP is actively involved in addressing climate change through initiatives such as the [[UN-REDD Programme]] and the [[Green Climate Fund]]. It also supports the [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] (IPCC) in assessing the science related to climate change.
 
==Leadership==
 
[[File:DR_MOSTAFA_TOLBA.jpg|thumb|left|Mostafa Tolba, former Executive Director of UNEP]]
 
Since its inception, UNEP has been led by several notable figures:
 
* '''Maurice Strong''' (1972–1975): The first Executive Director, who laid the foundation for UNEP's global environmental agenda.
* '''Mostafa Tolba''' (1976–1992): An Egyptian scientist who led UNEP during the development of the Montreal Protocol.
* '''Elizabeth Dowdeswell''' (1993–1998): A Canadian diplomat who focused on sustainable development and environmental governance.
 
[[File:Elizabeth_Dowdeswell_2020-01-01_(DSCF0094)_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Elizabeth Dowdeswell, former Executive Director of UNEP]]


== References ==
* '''Klaus Töpfer''' (1998–2006): A German politician who emphasized the importance of integrating environmental considerations into economic policies.


* "About UNEP." United Nations Environment Programme. Accessed October 2023. [https://www.unep.org/about-un-environment]
[[File:Klaus_Töpfer,_2009_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Klaus Töpfer, former Executive Director of UNEP]]
* "History of UNEP." United Nations Environment Programme. Accessed October 2023. [https://www.unep.org/about-un-environment/history]


== Gallery ==
==Related Pages==


<gallery>
* [[United Nations Development Programme]]
File:UNEP_logo.svg|UNEP Logo
* [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]]
File:UNEP-conferentie_over_ozonlaag_in_Den_Haag_v.l.n.r._ex_minister_Ginjaar,_mini,_Bestanddeelnr_934-3407.jpg|UNEP Conference on the Ozone Layer
* [[Montreal Protocol]]
File:22dec07-COP15-Sec-Gen-Media-3206_(52549456365).jpg|UNEP at COP15
* [[Sustainable Development Goals]]
File:Maurice_Strong.jpg|Maurice Strong
File:DR_MOSTAFA_TOLBA.jpg|Mostafa Tolba
File:Elizabeth_Dowdeswell_2020-01-01_(DSCF0094)_(cropped).jpg|Elizabeth Dowdeswell
File:Achim_Steiner-IMG_0835.jpg|Achim Steiner
File:Erik_Solheim.jpg|Erik Solheim
File:Joyce_Msuya_Mpanju_(2019)_Ausschnitt.jpg|Joyce Msuya
File:Inger_Andersen_(environmentalist,_2010,_cropped).jpg|Inger Andersen
File:UNEP-IRP.png|UNEP International Resource Panel
File:1.1-_Carbon_Financing_(10036842386).jpg|Carbon Financing
File:Jairam_Ramesh_delivering_the_inaugural_address_at_the_Reporting_Green_UNEP_Media_Workshop_on_Journalism_and_the_Environment,_in_New_Delhi_on_June_02,_2011.jpg|UNEP Media Workshop
</gallery>


[[Category:United Nations Environment Programme]]
[[Category:United Nations Environment Programme]]
[[Category:Environmental organizations]]
[[Category:Environmental organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1972]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1972]]
[[Category:United Nations specialized agencies]]

Latest revision as of 11:29, 23 March 2025


File:UNEP logo.svg
The logo of the United Nations Environment Programme

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an agency of the United Nations that coordinates the organization's environmental activities and assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. UNEP was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

History[edit]

File:Maurice Strong.jpg
Maurice Strong, the first Executive Director of UNEP

The establishment of UNEP was a significant outcome of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden. The conference was the first major international gathering to discuss global environmental issues, and it led to the creation of UNEP to act as a global advocate for the environment.

Maurice Strong, a Canadian diplomat and environmentalist, was appointed as the first Executive Director of UNEP. Under his leadership, UNEP began to address a wide range of environmental issues, including the protection of the ozone layer, the management of marine pollution, and the promotion of sustainable development.

Mandate and Functions[edit]

UNEP's mandate 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. UNEP's work encompasses:

  • Assessing global, regional, and national environmental conditions and trends.
  • Developing international and national environmental instruments.
  • Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment.
  • Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology for sustainable development.

Key Initiatives[edit]

UNEP has been instrumental in the development of international environmental conventions, promoting environmental science and information, and fostering partnerships with other UN agencies, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

Ozone Layer Protection[edit]

UNEP played a crucial role in the development of the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion.

Climate Change[edit]

File:22dec07-COP15-Sec-Gen-Media-3206 (52549456365).jpg
UNEP at COP15

UNEP is actively involved in addressing climate change through initiatives such as the UN-REDD Programme and the Green Climate Fund. It also supports the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in assessing the science related to climate change.

Leadership[edit]

File:DR MOSTAFA TOLBA.jpg
Mostafa Tolba, former Executive Director of UNEP

Since its inception, UNEP has been led by several notable figures:

  • Maurice Strong (1972–1975): The first Executive Director, who laid the foundation for UNEP's global environmental agenda.
  • Mostafa Tolba (1976–1992): An Egyptian scientist who led UNEP during the development of the Montreal Protocol.
  • Elizabeth Dowdeswell (1993–1998): A Canadian diplomat who focused on sustainable development and environmental governance.
File:Elizabeth Dowdeswell 2020-01-01 (DSCF0094) (cropped).jpg
Elizabeth Dowdeswell, former Executive Director of UNEP
  • Klaus Töpfer (1998–2006): A German politician who emphasized the importance of integrating environmental considerations into economic policies.
File:Klaus Töpfer, 2009 (cropped).jpg
Klaus Töpfer, former Executive Director of UNEP

Related Pages[edit]