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Last date for submission of online application: June 22, 2012 (Friday)
Last date for receipt of application print out along with enclosures:
June 29, 2012 (Friday)
Date of Entrance Examination: July 07, 2012 (Saturday)
Date of declaration of Result: July 10, 2012 (Tuesday)
Last date to submit detailed marks-sheet of the qualifying examination:
On or before the date of interview

Stockholm Declaration: Seven truth and 26 Principals

 Stockholm Declaration is a common outlook and common principles to inspire and guide the peoples of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment.

}The declaration is divided in to two part:

◦Seven truth about environment

◦26 principals 

Seven truth about environment:

1. Man is both creature and moulder of his environment, which gives him physical sustenance and affords him the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. In the long and tortuous evolution of the human race on this planet a stage has been reached when, through the rapid acceleration of science and technology, man has acquired the power to transform his environment in countless ways and on an unprecedented scale. Both aspects of man's environment, the natural and the man-made, are essential to his well-being and to the enjoyment of basic human rights the right to life itself.

2. The protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world; it is the urgent desire of the peoples of the whole world and the duty of all Governments.

3. Man has constantly to sum up experience and go on discovering, inventing, creating and advancing. In our time, man's capability to transform his surroundings, if used wisely, can bring to all peoples the benefits of development and the opportunity to enhance the quality of life. Wrongly or heedlessly applied, the same power can do incalculable harm to human beings and the human environment. We see around us growing evidence of man-made harm in many regions of the earth: dangerous levels of pollution in water, air, earth and living beings; major and undesirable disturbances to the ecological balance of the biosphere; destruction and depletion of irreplaceable resources; and gross deficiencies, harmful to the physical, mental and social health of man, in the man-made environment, particularly in the living and working environment.

4. In the developing countries most of the environmental problems are caused by under-development. Millions continue to live far below the minimum levels required for a decent human existence, deprived of adequate food and clothing, shelter and education, health and sanitation. Therefore, the developing countries must direct their efforts to development, bearing in mind their priorities and the need to safeguard and improve the environment. For the same purpose, the industrialized countries should make efforts to reduce the gap themselves and the developing countries. In the industrialized countries, environmental problems are generally related to industrialization and technological development.

6. A point has been reached in history when we must shape our actions throughout the world with a more prudent care for their environmental consequences. Through ignorance or indifference we can do massive and irreversible harm to the earthly environment on which our life and well being depend. Conversely, through fuller knowledge and wiser action, we can achieve for ourselves and our posterity a better life in an environment more in keeping with human needs and hopes. There are broad vistas for the enhancement of environmental quality and the creation of a good life. What is needed is an enthusiastic but calm state of mind and intense but orderly work. For the purpose of attaining freedom in the world of nature, man must use knowledge to build, in collaboration with nature, a better environment. To defend and improve the human environment for present and future generations has become an imperative goal for mankind-a goal to be pursued together with, and in harmony with, the established and fundamental goals of peace and of worldwide economic and social development.

7. To achieve this environmental goal will demand the acceptance of responsibility by citizens and communities and by enterprises and institutions at every level, all sharing equitably in common efforts. Individuals in all walks of life as well as organizations in many fields, by their values and the sum of their actions, will shape the world environment of the future.

      Local and national governments will bear the greatest burden for large-scale environmental policy and action within their jurisdictions. International cooperation is also needed in order to raise resources to support the developing countries in carrying out their responsibilities in this field. A growing class of environmental problems, because they are regional or global in extent or because they affect the common international realm, will require extensive cooperation among nations and action by international organizations in the common interest.

      The Conference calls upon Governments and peoples to exert common efforts for the preservation and improvement of the human environment, for the benefit of all the people and for their posterity.

Principles:  States the common conviction that:

Principle 1

      Man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and he bears a solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations. In this respect, policies promoting or perpetuating apartheid, racial segregation, discrimination, colonial and other forms of oppression and foreign domination stand condemned and must be eliminated.

Principle 2

     The natural resources of the earth, including the air, water, land, flora and fauna and especially representative samples of natural ecosystems, must be safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations through careful planning or management, as appropriate.

Principle 3

     The capacity of the earth to produce vital renewable resources must be maintained and, wherever practicable, restored or improved.

Principle 4

      Man has a special responsibility to safeguard and wisely manage the heritage of wildlife and its habitat, which are now gravely imperilled by a combination of adverse factors. Nature conservation, including wildlife, must therefore receive importance in planning for economic development.

Principle 5

      The non-renewable resources of the earth must be employed in such a way as to guard against the danger of their future exhaustion and to ensure that benefits from such employment are shared by all mankind.

Principle 6

      The discharge of toxic substances or of other substances and the release of heat, in such quantities or concentrations as to exceed the capacity of the environment to render them harmless, must be halted in order to ensure that serious or irreversible damage is not inflicted upon ecosystems. The just struggle of the peoples of ill countries against pollution should be supported.

Principle 7

      States shall take all possible steps to prevent pollution of the seas by substances that are liable to create hazards to human health, to harm living resources and marine life, to damage amenities or to interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea.

Principle 8

      Economic and social development is essential for ensuring a favorable living and working environment for man and for creating conditions on earth that are necessary for the improvement of the quality of life.

Principle 9

      Environmental deficiencies generated by the conditions of under-development and natural disasters pose grave problems and can best be remedied by accelerated development through the transfer of substantial quantities of financial and technological assistance as a supplement to the domestic effort of the developing countries and such timely assistance as may be required.

Principle 10

      For the developing countries, stability of prices and adequate earnings for primary commodities and raw materials are essential to environmental management, since economic factors as well as ecological processes must be taken into account.

Principle 11

      The environmental policies of all States should enhance and not adversely affect the present or future development potential of developing countries, nor should they hamper the attainment

      of better living conditions for all, and appropriate steps should be taken by States and international organizations with a view to reaching agreement on meeting the possible national and international economic consequences resulting from the application of environmental measures.

Principle 12

      Resources should be made available to preserve and improve the environment, taking into account the circumstances and particular requirements of developing countries and any costs which may emanate- from their incorporating environmental safeguards into their development planning and the need for making available to them, upon their request, additional international technical and financial assistance for this purpose.

Principle 13

      In order to achieve a more rational management of resources and thus to improve the environment, States should adopt an integrated and coordinated approach to their development planning so as to ensure that development is compatible with the need to protect and improve environment for the benefit of their population.

Principle 14

      Rational planning constitutes an essential tool for reconciling any conflict between the needs of development and the need to protect and improve the environment.

Principle 15

      Planning must be applied to human settlements and urbanization with a view to avoiding adverse effects on the environment and obtaining maximum social, economic and environmental benefits for all. In this respect projects which arc designed for colonialist and racist domination must be abandoned.

Principle 16

      Demographic policies which are without prejudice to basic human rights and which are deemed appropriate by Governments concerned should be applied in those regions where the rate of population growth or excessive population concentrations are likely to have adverse effects on the environment of the human environment and impede development.

Principle 17

      Appropriate national institutions must be entrusted with the task of planning, managing or controlling the 9 environmental resources of States with a view to enhancing environmental quality.

Principle 18

      Science and technology, as part of their contribution to economic and social development, must be applied to the identification, avoidance and control of environmental risks and the solution of environmental problems and for the common good of mankind.

Principle 19

      Education in environmental matters, for the younger generation as well as adults, giving due consideration to the underprivileged, is essential in order to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in protecting and improving the environment in its full human dimension. It is also essential that mass media of communications avoid contributing to the deterioration of the environment, but, on the contrary, disseminates information of an educational nature on the need to project and improve the environment in order to enable mal to develop in every respect.

Principle 20

      Scientific research and development in the context of environmental problems, both national and multinational, must be promoted in all countries, especially the developing countries. In this connection, the free flow of up-to-date scientific information and transfer of experience must be supported and assisted, to facilitate the solution of environmental problems; environmental technologies should be made available to developing countries on terms which would encourage their wide dissemination without constituting an economic burden on the developing countries.

Principle 21

      States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Principle 22

      States shall cooperate to develop further the international law regarding liability and compensation for the victims of pollution and other environmental damage caused by activities within the jurisdiction or control of such States to areas beyond their jurisdiction.

Principle 23

     Without prejudice to such criteria as may be agreed upon by the international community, or to standards which will have to be determined nationally, it will be essential in all cases to consider the systems of values prevailing in each country, and the extent of the applicability of standards which are valid for the most advanced countries but which may be inappropriate and of unwarranted social cost for the developing countries.

Principle 24

      International matters concerning the protection and improvement of the environment should be handled in a cooperative spirit by all countries, big and small, on an equal footing.

     Cooperation through multilateral or bilateral arrangements or other appropriate means is essential to effectively control, prevent, reduce and eliminate adverse environmental effects resulting from activities conducted in all spheres, in such a way that due account is taken of the sovereignty and interests of all States.

Principle 25

      States shall ensure that international organizations play a coordinated, efficient and dynamic role for the protection and improvement of the environment.

Principle 26

      Man and his environment must be spared the effects of nuclear weapons and all other means of mass destruction. States must strive to reach prompt agreement, in the relevant international organs, on the elimination and complete destruction of such weapons. 

Outcomes of Stockholm Conference 1972

The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment 1972

§The Stockholm Conference produced

§A Declaration of 26 Principles

§An Action Plan of 109 recommendations.

§Resolution on International and Financial Agreement, which  recommended the establishment of following institutions:

§Governing Council for UNEP

§Environment Secretariat

§Environment Coordination Board

§Environment Fund 

§Resolution on designation of a world Environment Day.(5 June)

   §Resolution on Nuclear Weapons tests which condemned nuclear tests        especially those carried out in the atmosphere and called upon states to refrain  from conducting  such tests. 

Importance of Stockholm Conference 1972

Importance of Stockholm Conference 1972 

§It was the event that turned the environment into a major issue at the international level.

§ The conference drew together both developed and developing countries.

§The Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment and Principles constituted the first body of ‘soft law’ in international environmental affairs .

Background of the Stockholm Conference 1972

The Background of the Stockholm Conference 1972

The need for environmental protection first appeared at local and national levels where the effects of environmental deterioration were directly felt.

}Environmental protection had become a significant public and political issue in nearly all developed states.

◦Canada,

◦ Sweden,

◦Japan,

◦Great Britain

◦United States of America.

}More emphasis  on environmental protection by developed nations gave rise to the suspicion that:

◦ the environmental movement could be a new and concealed form of neo-imperialism and

◦ the developed countries of the world wished to keep the developing countries

–as a subservient supplies of low priced raw materials and

–consumer of industrial output of the developed countries.

}Environmental concerns were regarded as Western luxuries by developing countries.

}According to India’s PM, Indira Ghandi ‘Poverty is the worst form of pollution,’.

}‘We hold that of all things in the world, people are the most precious,’ said Tang Ke, leader of the Chinese delegation to the Stockholm conference.

}The official initiative for the Stockholm conference came from the Sweddish representative to the UN.

}It was considered by ECOSOC on July 30, 1968.

}which was followed by the establishment of a Preparatory Committee (PREPCOM) for Conference consisting of members from 21 countries under the guidance of Maurice Strong (Secretary-General of the Conference).

} The PREPCOM met four times to finalize the arrangements for the Conference. 

}The U N Conference on Human Environment for the Preservation and Enhancement of its quality met at Stockholm on June 6-16, 1972.

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development 2003-2012

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development

2003-2012

1. 2005 Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building adopted by the UNEP Governing Council.
   • Framework for UNEP’s delivery of technology support and capacity building.
2. 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment highlights the importance of ecosystems to human well-being, and the extent of ecosystem decline.
   • Highlighted importance of ecosystems to human well-being.
   • Influence on policy and decision making worldwide.
   • 1,360 scientists from 95 countries.
3. 2007 Fourth IPCC Assessment Report states that warming of the climate is unequivocal.
   • Mainstreamed scientific understanding of climate change and stirred public action.
   • 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
   • Bali Action Plan – calling for comprehensive action beyond 2012.
   • Integration of climate change and sustainable development policies.
4. 2007 The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity (TEEB) launched
   • Spotlights global economic benefits of biodiversity and ecosystems and multitrillion dollar losses being sustained by unsustainable path.
   • Up to a dozen countries launch national assessments from Colombia to UK.
5. 2007 International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management established to provide the scientific impetus for decoupling economic growth and resource use.
   • Tripling of resource use by 2050 projected - call for global action.
   • Governments adopt policies to ‘decouple’ the use of natural resources from economic development.
6. 2008 UN-REDD programme launched to combat deforestation, forest degradation and climate change.
   • 42 partner countries.
   • 14 national REDD programmes.
   • US$ 118 million funding from Norway, Denmark, Spain and Japan.
7. 2008 UNEP becomes a climate neutral organization (through reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and procuring carbon credits to compensate for the remaining emissions).
   • 3 % annual emission reductions target.
   • Energy efficiency measures in buildings; e-communication; reduced paper use; improved waste management and staff awareness.
8. 2008 Launch of the Global Green New Deal--Green Economy.
   • Transformational solution to both the economic crisis and environmental challenges.
   • Over 20 governments receive GEI advisory services.
   • National policy initiatives in 15 countries.
   • Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication becomes central Rio+20 theme.
9. 2009 International negotiations to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury are launched.
   • 120 countries andstakeholders work towards a global treaty on mercury by 2013 to reduce impact on health and the environment.
10. 2010 Nusa Dua Declaration adopted at UNEP’s Global Ministerial Forum in Indonesia.
    • International pledge to step-up global response to environmental and sustainability challenges.
    • Focus on role of marine and coastal ecosystems in the fight against climate change.
11. 2010 Governments agreed to establish an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
    • Designed to bridge the gap between science and policy for better and more focused action on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
12. 2011 UNEP launches the Green Economy report: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication.
    • Investment of 2 % of global GDP in ten key sectors can grow economy, generate jobs and keep humanity within planetary boundaries
    • Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication key theme for Rio+20.
13. 2011 UNEP and UN-HABITAT open New Energy Efficient Office Facility in Gigiri
    • 6000 square metres of rooftop solar panels generate optimal energy.
    • Reduced water consumption.
    • Cost of investment repaid through lower energy bills in 7-10 years.

Sourse: UNEP Website

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development 1993-2002

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development

1993-2002

1. 1995 Global Programme of Action (GPA) launched as a non-binding agreement to protect the marine environment from land-based sources of pollution.
   • Adopted by 108 Governments and the EU.
   • Only global initiative to address terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems.
2. 1995 Basel Ban Amendment barring export of hazardous wastes adopted.
   • Ratified by 70 countries and the EU.
   • Established a regime for minimization of health and environmental impacts.
   • Created new, green economic opportunities.
3. 1996 UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) entered into force.
   • 193 signatories.
   • 42 African National Action Programmes.
   • 5 Sub-regional Action Programmes.
   • Two thirds of African countries implementing National Forest Programmes (NFPs).
4. 1998 Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted.
   • 39 banned or restricted chemicals.
   • 146 parties to the convention.
   • 265 national implementation authorities established in 170 countries.
5. 1999 UN Global Compact launched.
   • Over 8500 signatories from 135 countries working on sustainable and socially responsible policies.
6. 2000 The Malmö Declaration adopted.
   • Call to action on international environmental governance.
   • Crucial input to UN Millennium General Assembly and Rio+10 summit.
7. 2000 Millennium Declaration adopted: “ensuring environmental sustainability” as one of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
   • MDG 7 sets environmental targets.
   • Close to 87 % increase in access to drinking water. MDG’s 89 % target likely to be surpassed.
   • 94 million hectares increase in size of protected areas, covering 13 % of the world’s forests.
8. 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) adopted.
   • 176 parties.
   • 18 chemicals listed targeted for elimination.
   • 15 centres for capacity building and technology transfer.
9. 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development
   • Re-affirmed UNEP’s central role in sustainable development.
   • Linked poverty alleviation and environmental protection.
   • 2 new targets: To halve by 2015 people without access to basic sanitation; and to eliminate by 2012 destructive fishing practices.

Sourse: UNEP Website

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development 1983-1992

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development

1983-1992

1. 1983 The Brundtland Commission established by UN General Assembly following a decision by UNEP Governing Council.
   • Created the most prevalent definition of sustainable development.
   • Published “Our Common Future”, a blue print for future work on sustainability.
   • Influenced Rio 1992 Earth Summit and the Johannesburg Conference on Environment and Development, 2002.
2. 1987 Zambezi River Action Plan adopted.
   • Set the standard for transboundary water resources management across 8 countries: Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
3. 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer established following the Vienna Convention of 1985.
   • Close to 150 countries assisted and over 98 % reduction of controlled ozone depleting substances.
   • Projects worth US$ 2.79 billion approved under the Multilateral Fund.
   • Climate mitigation co-benefits estimated at 10 Gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
4. 1988 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) established by UNEP and the World Meteorological Organization.
   • Delivered the most influential, comprehensive and scientifically reviewed reports on climate change.
   • Played a decisive role in the establishment of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.
5. 1989 Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal adopted.
   • 178 member states and 14 Regional and Coordinating Centres for Capacity Building and Technology Transfer, covering all continents.
   • Public-private partnership addressing the management of end-of-life electronic devices and electronic waste.
   • Cartagena Declaration on waste prevention, minimization and recovery - 2011.
6. 1991 Business Charter on Sustainable Development issued at the 2nd World Industry Conference on Environmental Management (WICEM II).
   • Laid the foundations for UNEP’s enduring relationship with the business sector.
   • Enhanced UNEP’s ability to provide policy advice on the green economy.
7. 1991 Global Environment Facility (GEF) established.
   • 182 member states.
   • $57 billion support to 2,800 projects in more than 168 countries.
   • $634 million direct grants to over 13,000 community-based projects.
8. 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) adopts Rio Declaration and Agenda 21.
   • Set the course for contemporary sustainable development.
   • Landmark treaties on climate change, desertification and biodiversity.
9. 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) established.
   • 193 member states.
   • Protected areas doubled over past 20 years, covering over 12% of Earth’s land surface.
   • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2000.
   • Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing in 2010.
   
   Sourse: UNEP Website
   
   

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development 1972-1982

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development

1972-1982

1. 1972 UNEP established after Stockholm UN Conference on the Human Environment.
   • UNEP provides global leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment.
2. 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) adopted.
   • Over 30,000 species protected, contributing to sustainable development and achievement of MDGs.
3. 1975 Adoption of the Mediterranean Action Plan.
   • Spearheaded the adoption of integrated coastal zone management in national policies and development plans of 16 Mediterranean countries and the European Community
4. 1979 Bonn Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) established.
   • 116 member states.
   • Binding Agreements and Action Plans to protect 120 migratory species.
5. 1982 The Montevideo Programme adopted by UNEP Governing Council setting priorities for global lawmaking.
   • Led to major agreements, including the Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions and the Montreal Protocol.
   • Assisted 120 governments develop environmental legislation.

Sourse: UNEP Website

UNEP: SOME MILESTONES

UNEP MILESTONES

1972: UNEP established after UN Conference on the Human  Environment

1973: Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

1979: Bonn Convention on Migratory Species

1985: Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

1987: Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

1989: Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste

1992: Convention on Biological Diversity

1995: Global Programme of Action (GPA) launched to protect marine environment from land-based sources of pollution

1998: Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent

2000: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety adopted to address issue of genetically modified organisms

2000: Malmö Declaration- a call for action by the first Global Ministerial Environment Forum

2001: Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

2002: World Summit on Sustainable Development reaffirms UNEP’s central role in international efforts to achieve sustainable development

2005: Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building adopted by UNEP Governing
Council mandating national level support to developing countries

2005: World Summit emphasizes key role of environment in sustainable development

2009: Governments unanimously decide to launch negotiations on an international mercury treaty

2009: UNEP releases the Climate Change Science Compendium 2009

UNEP: SIX REGIONAL OFFICES

SIX REGIONAL OFFICES 
UNEP's Division of Regional Cooperation (DRC) works to ensure that UNEP’s activities 
address regional needs and priorities.  DRC also works to enhance cooperation among 
governments in each region in addressing environmental issues strategically and effectively.  
UNEP has six regional offices: 


Africa: Nairobi, Kenya 


Asia and the Pacific: Bangkok, Thailand 


Europe: Geneva, Switzerland 


Latin America and the Caribbean: Panama City, Panama 


North America: Washington, D.C.  


West Asia: Manama, Bahrain 

UNEP: SIX AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

SIX AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
UNEP is re-organizing its work programme into six strategic areas as part of its move to
results based management.  The selection of six areas of concentration was guided by
scientific evidence, the UNEP mandate and priorities emerging from global and regional
forums.

1.  CLIMATE CHANGE
Strengthens the ability of countries to integrate climate change responses by providing
leadership in adaptation, mitigation, technology and finance.  UNEP is focusing on facilitating
the transition to low-carbon societies, improving the understanding of climate science,
facilitating the development of renewable energy and raising public awareness.

2.  POST-CONFLICT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Conducts environmental assessments in crisis-affected countries and provides guidance for
implementing legislative and institutional frameworks for improved environmental
management.  Activities undertaken by UNEP’s Post-Conflict & Disaster Management Branch
(PCDMB) include post-conflict environmental assessment in Afghanistan, Côte d’Ivoire,
Lebanon, Nigeria and Sudan.

3.  ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Facilitates management and restoration of ecosystems in a manner consistent with sustainable
development, and promotes use of ecosystem services.  Examples include the Global
Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based
Activities.

4.  ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE
Supports governments in establishing, implementing and strengthening the necessary
processes, institutions, laws, policies and programs to achieve sustainable development at the
country, regional and global levels, and mainstreaming environment in development planning.

5.  HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
Strives to minimize the impact of harmful substances and hazardous waste on the environment
and human beings.  UNEP has launched negotiations for a global agreement on mercury, and
implements projects on mercury and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals
Management (SAICM) to reduce risks to human health and the environment.  

6.  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.  For example, the Marrakech Process is a
global strategy to support the elaboration of a 10-Year Framework of Programs on sustainable
consumption and production.

About UNEP

WHAT IS UNEP?
UNEP is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. UNEP uses its
expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement
environmental obligations at the country, regional and global levels.  

MISSION:  To provide global 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.

FACTS:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and UN UNDER-SECRETARY GENERAL:  Achim Steiner

HEADQUARTERS: Nairobi, Kenya

CREATED in 1972 by a UN General Assembly Resolution