Why in the news?

  • UNEP Assembly held at Nairobi, Kenya.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

  • Establishment: UNEP was established on 5th June 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Mandate: UNEP’s primary goal is to promote international cooperation on environmental issues, address environmental challenges, and encourage sustainable development globally.
  • Headquarters: UNEP’s headquarters is located in Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Role and Functions: UNEP plays a pivotal role in coordinating environmental activities, fostering environmental policy-making, and promoting sustainable practices. It acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator, and facilitator to address various environmental concerns.
  • Universal Membership: UNEP has a universal membership of all UN member states, which allows it to address global environmental issues collectively.
  • Funding: UNEP relies on voluntary contributions from member states, organisations, and donors to finance its programs and activities.
  • Reports
    • Emissions Gap Report (annual)
    • Adaptation Gap Report
    • Production Gap Report
    • Global Environment Outlook (GEO)
    • Frontiers Report
    • Environment Rule of Law Report
  • Initiatives
    • Global Methane Assessment (with CCAC).
    • Clean Seas Campaign against marine plastic pollution.
    • #BeatPollution / #BeatPlasticPollution initiatives.
    • Faith for Earth Initiative.
    • UNEP organises World Environment Day (WED) on 5th June every year to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage worldwide action.

Source: Hindustan Times