2. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading
environmental authority setting a global agenda for united nation systems.
It promotes coherent implementation of sustainable development and agenda
for it.
Serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
Its mission is to provide leadership and partnership in caring for the
environment.
It inspires, informs and enables nations and peoples to improve their quality of
life without compromising that of future generations.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
They work through divisions at the local level to reach as many lives as
possible.
3. UNEP-FORMATION AND
MANDATE :
UNEP is responsible for coordinating the UN’s environmental activities.
It assists developing countries in implementing environment friendly policies.
UNEP was founded in 1972 by Canadian businessman philanthropist Maurice Strong, its
first director, following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
(Stockholm Conference).
It mandate includes :
-Atmosphere
-Marine and terrestrial ecosystems
-Environmental governance
-Green economic development Activities include
Prompting environmental science and information
Developing and implementing policies
Funding and implementing environmental projects such as reforestation
Providing guidelines on issues such as international trade in potentially harmful chemicals.
4. UNEP- SDGSAND FUNDING
:
As a member of the United Nations Development Group, UNEP aims to
help the world meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Over the last thirty years its focus has increased tremendously on
climate change.
In 1988, it joined the World Meteorological Organisation to establish the
International Panel of Climate Change (IPCC), a leading authority on
the science of climate change and options for adaptation and
mitigation.
One of the agencies for the Global Environment Facility.
It is solely funded by voluntary contributions.
5. SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS :
Also known as the Global Goals.
Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a call to
action to -
-End poverty
-Protect the Planet
-Ensure that people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030
The goals are integrated Pledge to Leave No One Behind Pledge to
bring the world to several life changing zeros ; ‘Zero poverty ,Zero
hunger.’
6. UNEP - SECRETARIATS
UNEP hosts the secretariats of many critical multilateral environmental agreements and
research bodies, bringing together nations and the environmental community to tackle
the greatest challenges of our time.
These include the following:
1. The Convention on Biological Diversity
2. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora
3. The Minamata Convention on Mercury
4. The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention
5. The Vienna Convention for Protection of Ozone Layer and Montreal Protocol
6. The Convention on Migratory species
7. The Carpathian Convention
7. 1. THE CONVENTION ON
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit
dedicated to promoting sustainable development
It recognizes that biological diversity is about more than animals, plants
and microorganisms and their system.
It is about people and our need for food security , medicines fresh air
and water , shelter and a clean and healthy environment in which to live
.
8. 2. THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL
TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD
FAUNA AND FLORA
Signed in 1973 get enforced in 1975 Concerned about the
overexploitation of many vulnerable species as a result of unregulated
international trade.
Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild
animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
9. 3. The Minamata Convention on Mercury :
Global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the
adverse effects of mercury. Signed in 2013, on 19 January.
4. The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm
Convention :
Multilateral environmental agreements with a common objective of
protecting human health and the environment from hazardous
chemicals and wastes.
10. 5. THE VIENNA CONVENTION FOR
PROTECTION OF OZONE LAYER AND
MONTREAL PROTOCOL
Signed in 1985 . Provides framework for international reduction in the production of
chlorofluorocarbons due to their contribution to the destruction of the ozone layer,
resulting an increased threat of skin cancer.
6. The Convention on Migratory species :
Also known as the Bonn Convention.Provides a global platform for the conservation
and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory Animals and their
habitats.
7. The Carpathian Convention :
Aims to protect Carrpathian area. Signed by the seven Parties (Czech Republic,
Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Ukraine) in May 2003 in Kyiv,
Ukraine.
11. UNEP- STRUCTURE AND
LEADERSHIP
Headquated in Nairobi, Kenya.
UNEP is led by a senior management team that’s chaired by the
executive director.
The organisational chart is as follows:-
1. Executive Director
2. Deputy Executive Director
3. Senior Management Team
4. Secretariats and Conventions
5. Partners
12. UN ENVIRONMENT ASSEMBLY
AND GOVERNING COUNCIL
Addresses the critical environmental challenges the world is facing
today.
Understanding the challenges and preserving and rehabilitating our
environment is at the heart of 2030 Agenda “FUTURE FOR ALL”.
Meets are biennial sets priorities for global environmental policies and
develop international environmental law. Since decision making
requires board participation it provides wide opportunity for people to
take participate and to help in designing solutions
13. UNEP SIX AREAS OF
CONCENTRATION
For better outcomes and management UNEP has re - organised its work into six strategic
areas.
There are some areas where it focuses more.
These are:-
1. CLIMATE CHANGE
2. POST CONFLICT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT
3. ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT
4. ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE
5. HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
6. RESOURCE EFFICIENCY/ SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUction
14. CLIMATE CHANGE:
Focuses on facilitating the transition to low carbon societies improving
the understanding of climate science facilitating the development of
renewable energy raising public awareness.
POST CONFLICT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT:
Conduct environmental assessments in crisis - affected countries
provide guidance for improved environmental management.
ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT:
Facilitates management and restoration of ecosystems for sustainable
development.
Example- Global Programme of Action for the protection of the marine
environment from land based activities.
15. ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE:
Supports the government in establishing and implementing and
strengthening the necessary policies, laws , programs.
HARMFUL SUBSTANCES:
Minimise the impact of harmful substances and hazardous waste on the
environment and human beings.
RESOURCE EFFICIENCY/ SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
AND PRODUCTION:
Focuses on regional and global efforts to ensure natural resources are
produced, processed and consumed in a more environmentally friendly way.
16. MAJOR PROGRAMMES OF
UNEP
BILLION TREE CAMPAIGN
Launched in 2006 .Target was the planting of one billion trees in 2007.
CLEAN UP THE WORLD
Community based environmental campaign
Aim was to clean up, fix up and conserve their environment.
Celebrated globally on the 3re week in September each year.
EARTH HOUR
Organised By the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in it millions of
people , businesses , landmarks set switch off their light make noise
about climate change.
17. UNEP AND INDIA
GOI’s Ministry for Environment, Forests and Climate Change is working with
NEP.
India’s financial contribution to the organisation is of USD 100,000.
Permanent representative of India to UNEP is India’s high commissioner for
Kenya.Has recognised India's initiatives.
Awarded PM Narender Modi with the ‘Champions of the Earth’.
India is aiming to achieve SDGs through several programmes such as-
Ayushman bharat
MNREGA Scheme
Swachh Bharat mission
And so on.
