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United Nations Environment Programme
- The UNEP was established in 1972 at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, popularly known as the Stockholm Conference, as it was held in Stockholm, Sweden.
- It uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at the country, regional and global levels.
Six Areas of Concentration
- Climate Change
- Post-Conflict and Disaster Management
- Ecosystem Management
- Environmental Governance
- Harmful Substances
- Resource Efficiency/Sustainable Consumption and Production
Governing Body
- The UN Environment Assembly is the governing body of the UNEP.
- It was created in 2012 to replace the governing council.
- It currently has 193 members and meets every two years.
- Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
Reports Published by UNEP:
- Emissions Gap Report
- Annual Frontiers Report
- Global Environment Outlook
Emissions Gap Report
- The UNEP Emissions Gap Report (EGR) series tracks world progress in limiting global warming well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C in line with the Paris Agreement.
- Since 2010, it has provided an annual science-based assessment of the gap between estimated future global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if countries implement their climate mitigation pledges, and where they should be to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
- Each year, the report also highlights key opportunities to bridge the emissions gap, tackling a specific issue of interest.
- With the aim to inform the climate negotiations among UN Member States, the EGR is launched every year ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP).
Major Takeaways from the Emissions Gap Report 2023
Rising global temperature:
- 86 days have been recorded with temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels this year.
Global GHG emissions set new record in 2022:
- Global GHG emissions increased by 1.2 per cent from 2021 to 2022 to reach a new record of 57.4 gigatons of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e).
Global patterns of inequality:
- Per capita territorial GHG emissions vary significantly across countries.