23 June 2014: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released its ‘Programme Performance Report 2012-2013’ on the occasion of the first UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA). The report reflects the extent to which the organization is bringing about change, especially its monetary value-add, and shows where services are most effective and where there is space to improve strategy or modus operandi.

The report is structured to provide an overview of UNEP’s performance against the Programme of Work for the biennium 2012-2013, in regard to the implementation of its Medium-Term Strategy for the period 2010-2013. The first section shows an overall expenditure of US$438 million over the 2012-2013 biennium. It also provides a synopsis of future plans and strategies to increase UNEP’s prospects for results. The report then details every priority area in the Programme of Work 2012-2013, showing what results were achieved and what resources were employed. The sub-programme sections review efforts on: climate change; disasters and conflicts; ecosystem management; environmental governance; harmful substances and hazardous waste; and resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production (SCP).

UNEP’s performance against “Expected Accomplishments” shows: 64% achieved on schedule; 85% of indicator targets that were achieved were over-exceeded; 30% partially achieved with work still underway in some cases; and 6% not achieved, owing to indicators that were not possible to measure and were substituted with alternative performance measurements. The report also notes that resources are not always available at the beginning of the biennium, as funds are mobilized during the biennium in which results are to be achieved; a factor that sometimes affects the pace of the organization’s delivery and expenditure rates.

UNEA is taking place the 23-27 June 2014 at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. [IISD RS coverage of UNEA][Publication: Programme Performance Report 2012-2013] [UNEP Publications website]