Contemporary Overview of UNEP
Contemporary Overview of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Dr. Mayura Sabne & Ms. Sharda Yeole
Introduction[1]
“This work is crucial. Because there can be no peace, no stability, and no end to hunger and poverty without healthy nature and a healthy climate.” – UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen.
The impact of World War II caused a major environmental degradation resulting into a high pollution level in all forms. To address the environmental issues a conference was held in 1972 known as, United Nations Conference on Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference). The environmental concerns were first pondered upon in this Stockholm Conference. It led to the adoption of the Stockholm Declaration (Declaration on the Human Environment) which resulted in the formation of a management body for environmental concerns, which was later called the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The UNEP was founded on 5th June, 1972 which is now celebrated as the “World Environment Day.” It has headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP is a leading international organization which strengthens environmental governance and law. Though it is a United Nations program, UNEP works all over the world. It has caused transformational change by probing the gravity of environmental depletion.
Highlights of UNEP
Climate change, loss of nature and biodiversity, and pollution are all contributing to a triple planetary disaster.[2] The body which governs the UNEP is United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). UNEA is the highest level decision making body on environment and was founded in the year 2012. The Assembly meets biennially i.e. every two years at the headquarters of the UNEP to determine objectives for global environmental policies and build international environmental legislation. The next UNEA meeting will be held from 26th February to 1st March, 2024 in which the overall theme is “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.”[3]
The main objective and goal is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in environmental care by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising future generations.[4] The UNEP has participation of 193 UN member states. It is able to carry out its objectives by the voluntary contributions by governments, intergovernmental organisations and other private bodies. India makes financial contribution which amounts to $100,000 annually to the international organization.[5]
One of the most notable successes was the founding of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988, which has played a major role in promoting scientific knowledge of climate change and guiding global policy discussions on the issue.[6] The UNEP also formulates treaties and guidelines in the domain of international trade in harmful chemicals, international waterways pollution and transboundary pollution of air.[7]
Key Areas of Work
The UNEP maintains a website where it updates about what work is done and to be done by the organization all over the world and even provides solutions that the general public can easily adapt to make the environment eco-friendly. For example, it has provided solutions to plastic pollution that the general public can inculcate and use alternatives to plastic. UNEP has spent more than 50 years supporting sustainable development through its work on the environment. It is promoting new cohort of professionals who can develop innovative solutions for ecosystem management.?
The key areas of work of UNEP include:[8]
·??????Biosafety
·??????Biodiversity and ecosystems
·??????Resource efficiency
·??????Sustainable development goals
·??????Technology
·??????Youth, education and environment
·??????Environment and security
·??????Green economy
UNEP plays an important role in international environmental governance by providing scientific and technical advice, facilitating the negotiation and implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, and assisting countries in developing their capacity to address environmental challenges.[9]
India and UNEP
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change is the nodal Ministry in charge of India's relationship with UNEP.[10] India has a close relationship with the UNEP since its inception and actively participates to carry out the environmental protection functions. UNEP has its Indian office in New Delhi.
UNEP co-ordinates with the Government of India for cleaning of “Ganga River.” “Restoring the Ganga will safeguard both the natural systems and human societies that the river has nurtured for millennia,” said Leticia Carvalho, Head of the UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch. “Appreciating and caring for all of our rivers, and their links to oceans and seas, will be vital to improving people’s lives while also tackling the greatest challenges facing our planet.”[11] The project includes rejuvenating Ganga and its tributaries, promote sustainable farming and conserving wildlife species. [12]
Indian cities are experiencing rapid urbanization since last two decades, which results to congested roads with high traffic. UNEP under ‘Share the road’ program helps the Indian cities by working to enhance accessibility and mobility. The city of Pune has shown an extraordinary commitment to improving sustainable mobility for its people by taking steps to improve walking, cycling, and public transport across the city.[13]
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The Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) model was developed and implemented by UNEP in the year 2019 in India; particularly focusing on 3 key project sites: Tampara Wetland (Odisha), Kabartal Wetland (Bihar), and a northern dryland region in Gujarat. The focus of the project was on the restoration and protection of wetlands, rejuvenation of village ponds, and waterbody conservation.[14] The project has reached 29,216 beneficiaries, out of which 36% were women. 3,312 hectares of wetlands and community common pool resources (ponds, drainages) have now been protected and restored.[15]
[16]UNEP and India have collaborated to promote the development of green technology. The National Clean Energy Fund and the Smart Cities Mission are two initiatives launched by India for the deployment of green technologies. The UNEP has aided India’s efforts through initiatives such as the Global Cleantech Innovation program for SMEs.
UNEP and India have worked closely together in the field of promoting sustainable consumption and production. India has launched two programs, namely the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and the National Clean Energy Fund, aiming to encourage sustainable consumption and production practices. India's endeavours have been supported by UNEP via programs like the Sustainable Consumption and Production Framework that spans ten years and endeavours to promote sustainable production and consumption patterns worldwide.[17]
Conclusion
UNEP hosts secretariats of various conventions such as; United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Vienna Convention, Convention on Migratory Species, Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and such important conventions to ?promote environmental science and finance the implementation of developmental projects related to the environment. India is a signatory to a majority of these conventions.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has undertaken a very crucial role for the rejuvenation and conservation of the environment all over the world.
[1] Available at https://www.unep.org/about-us
[2] Ibid
[3] Available at https://www.unep.org/environmentassembly/unea-6
[4] Supra 1
[7] Available at https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/united-nations-environment-programme-unep/#:~:text=The%20UNEP's%20stated%20mission%20is,compromising%20that%20of%20future%20generations.
[9] Supra 5
[10] Supra 5
[12] Available at https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/un-recognises-ganga-project-among-10-initiatives-restoring-natural-world/article66262180.ece
[15] Available at https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/improving-community-resilience-ecosystem-based-disaster-risk-reduction-india
[16] Supra 5
[17] Supra 5