3 January 2010: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has highlighted its efforts to promote a low carbon, resource efficient Green Economy in the 21st century. According to UNEP, its strategy has focused on three priority areas: ecosystems-based adaptation; reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD); and clean technology readiness.
On ecosystems-based adaptation, UNEP highlighted its support to member States to implement demonstration projects including: to the Government of Iraq in rehabilitating the marshlands of Mesopotamia; to the Government of Kenya in restoring the Mau forest complex; and to the Government of Mali in reviving Lake Faguibine.

Through the UN-REDD Programme, a partnership between UNEP, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), nine countries are being prepared for REDD. UNEP highlighted its support to those countries, including assistance on appropriate methodologies, monitoring and verification systems and safeguards in order to ensure REDD delivers value not only in climate and national economic terms, but also in terms of livelihoods for local communities.

On the issue of clean technology readiness, UNEP underscored it helping over 25 countries identify and overcome financial and other barriers that hinder the financing of cleaner technologies. In terms of catalysing a set of global norms and standards, UNEP noted its work in four sectors: energy efficiency in building, vehicle fuel efficiency, efficient lighting, and biofuels.[UNEP Press Release]