Environment and Ecology

The UNEP Yearbook 2010 is essential, informative and authoritative reading and within six chapters the Year Book addresses the following: In 2009, efforts to advance international environmental governance focussed on defining key objectives and functions for an improved UN architecture to address global environmental change. Ecosystems are being pushed beyond thresholds. Drivers of change that lead to biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem services are growing in intensity. Dead zones in coastal areas have doubled in extent every decade since the 1960's. Much work remains to be done to reduce and mitigate the effects of harmful substances and hazardous waste on human health and the environment. Many unanswered questions remain about nanomaterials. The effects of increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are better understood, as more indicators of climate change are being assessed. Direct observations and modelling indicate that the planet's tropical belt is expanding. Sustainable natural resource management can reduce vulnerability to disasters and conflicts and support peacebuilding. Promising tools to reduce disaster conflict risks are being integrated into policy and institutional structures. Better managing material and energy flows will help meet challenges associated with environmental impacts and advance decoupling of economic growth and resource use.

English Français Русский Español

Providing an overview of UNEP's activities in 2009, this report looks at a broad range of activities carried out by the organization as it follows its mandate to provide environmental leadership and promote sustainable development. Taking the theme of "Seizing the Green Opportunity", the report provides an overview of UNEP's activities in 2009 through the green economy lens. Highlights of the year include the emergence of green growth initiatives around the world, the innovative approaches to address climate change and ecosystem loss, and the renewed efforts to strengthen international environmental governance.

中文 English Français Русский Español

This submission functions as a place holder for texts to be developed under the Copenhagen Agreement in relation to the building sector. It is directly aligned with the draft Call for Action and essentially builds on the work of SBCI over the past three years. UNEP-SBCI proposes that emission reduction in buildings is recognized as an appropriate area for NAMA (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action) and that the development of frameworks required to monitor, report and verify such actions are included in a post-2012 Agreement.

English