March 2014: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has published its annual report for 2013, which focuses on UNEP’s achievements in key focus areas: climate change; disasters and conflicts; ecosystem management; environmental governance; harmful substances and hazardous waste; resource efficiency; and sustainable consumption and production (SCP).
On climate change, UNEP highlights, inter alia, the: findings of its ‘Emissions Gap Report 2013′ and the ‘Africa Adaptation Gap Report;’ opening of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN); and adoption of a reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD) ‘rulebook.’ It also describes work on adaptation, energy and resilience.
On ecosystem management, UNEP describes its efforts with regard to natural capital, payments for ecosystem services (PES) and oceans and coastal areas. Looking forward, pastoralism is anticipated to gain attention and investment as an element of the green economy through UNEP’s partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, according to the report.
UNEP’s work on chemicals includes: adopting the Minamata Convention on Mercury; addressing lead; and tackling ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
On resource efficiency, the report features, inter alia: green economy initiatives, including the Partnership for Action on the Green Economy (PAGE); the UNEP Finance Initiative; and the Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative.
The report also highlights: the first meeting of UNEP’s Governing Council under universal membership; capacity building efforts to enhance implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs); integration of pro-poor, environmental sustainability objectives through the Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI); activities to bring science to policymakers, including through the launch of ‘UNEP Live;’ and efforts to address illegal wildlife trade.
For each focus area, the report lists budget allocations and expenditures, evaluates achieved results against expected accomplishments and describes areas of action. The report also includes sections on: the environment in numbers; financial and management issues; and the Champions of the Earth award. [UNEP Publications Website] [IISD RS Story on Emissions Gap Report] [IISD RS Story on Africa Adaptation Report] [IISD RS Story on CTCN Opening] [IISD RS Story on UNEP Live] [IISD RS Story on Minamata Convention]