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Hungry Planet 16- RIO+20 Special Report: UNEP: U.N.
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
Sustainable development is promoted by the United Nations through UNEP. The goal of UNEP is to lead and foster environmental protection while aiding the improvement of people’s quality of life and preserving resources to the same end for future generations, through the provision of information and inspiration.
Clearly, this mandate is very compatible with that of the EEA, and, as a consequence, the two organizations co-operate closely. This co-operation embraces many activities including the harmonization of the disparate data collection endeavors and network structures to expand each entity’s access to environmental data. In recognition of coinciding mutual interests, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 1996 providing for co-operation.
The EEA has made submissions to a number of the UNEP monitoring publication GEO Reports. Other collaborations include a study of the environmental conditions of the Arctic environment and the implications of Arctic climate changes on Europe’s environment, and an assessment of the influence Europe has had on the state of the Arctic environment.
The Memorandum of Understanding has been overtaken by a series of annexes providing for even more extensive mutual assistance. The annexes are reviewed annually to accommodate partnership projects between the EEA and UNEP. These include:
(a) The improved environmental monitoring of the Arctic and Mediterranean regions;
(b) Adopting a joint approach to agro-biodiversity;
(c) Establishing joint projects to predict future environmental developments; and
(d) Input support facilitating the eastward expansion of the EEA’s pan-European reporting framework.
