June 2015: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released its annual performance report for 2015, reporting on achievements in its seven programme areas, and highlighting the value of long-term goal setting for planetary change.

The report describes the success of UNEP’s work in phasing out ozone-depleting substances, which has promoted recovery of the ozone layer. One lesson learned from this achievement, the report notes, is that performance indicators that will target long-term change of over 10 years, far beyond the usual span of organizational programmes, are needed.

Other achievements are reported under UNEP’s programmes on: climate change; disasters and conflicts; ecosystem management; chemicals and waste; resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production; environmental governance, and environmental monitoring, termed ‘Environment Under Review.’

The report highlights the growing international interest and stake in UNEP’s work, following the inauguration of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2014. UNEP is said to be increasingly delivering services for Member States through a growing network of partners, in addition to its 851 core staff. The report records expenditure of US$334 million in 2014, over its targeted budget of US$297 million, based on more resources becoming available than were initially budgeted.

Overall, UNEP is said to have been “predominantly on track” in 2014, and has laid a foundation for an integrated approach to sustainable development, with environment being well embedded and reflected in the draft Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [UNEP Programme Performance Report 2014] [UNEP Knowledge Repository]