United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Mandate, Functions & Environmental Governance

Why in the News?

UNEP recently released an issue note highlighting the rising environmental footprint of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The report warns that by 2027, AI servers could consume between 4.2 billion and 6.6 billion cubic meters of water, potentially exacerbating global water scarcity.
Furthermore, UNEP research indicates that training a single Large Language Model (LLM) generates nearly 300,000 kilograms of carbon emissions, with individual ChatGPT queries consuming ten times more energy than a standard Google search.
This has prompted calls for integrating AI impacts into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and global sustainability disclosures.

Overview of UNEP

About UNEP: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the environmental authority of the United Nations system. It provides leadership on global environmental issues and assists countries in achieving environmental goals under international frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and major biodiversity conventions.
Establishment: Founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference) in June 1972.
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya (first UN agency headquartered in a developing country).
Leadership: Headed by an Executive Director, appointed by the UN Secretary-General.

Mandate and Objectives of UNEP

UNEP’s mandate focuses on advancing environmental sustainability worldwide.

Core Objectives of UNEP:
- Coordinate global responses to key environmental challenges including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation.
- Support countries in environmental policy formulation, planning, and institutional capacity building.
- Integrate environmental considerations into economic and social development planning to promote sustainable development.
- Facilitate international environmental negotiations, treaties, and scientific assessments.
- Address resource depletion and climate-related risks through evidence-based strategies.
- Collaborate with governments, scientific institutions, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector to manage emerging and existing environmental challenges.

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Organisational Structure of UNEP

UNEP operates through a multi-tier institutional framework ensuring inclusivity and effective governance.

United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA): UNEA is the highest global decision-making body on environmental matters.It consists of all UN Member States and meets biennially.UNEA sets global environmental priorities, adopts resolutions, and provides strategic guidance to UNEP.
Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR): The CPR functions as the main advisory body to UNEA.It comprises diplomatic representatives based in Nairobi.It ensures continuity in UNEP’s work between UNEA sessions.
UNEP Secretariat: The Secretariat is led by the Executive Director.It is responsible for implementing UNEA decisions, coordinating programmes, and managing daily operations.It works in partnership with governments, research bodies, and international organisations.
Regional and Thematic Offices: UNEP operates through regional offices in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, West Asia, and North America. These offices tailor environmental initiatives to region-specific ecological and developmental needs.

Key Functions of UNEP

UNEP plays a pivotal role in shaping global environmental governance through the following functions:

Supports and develops international environmental treaties, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), CITES, and the Minamata Convention.
Hosts secretariats of major environmental conventions and assists in negotiating new agreements.
Produces authoritative global assessments, such as the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) and Emissions Gap Report.
Provides technical assistance, funding support, and capacity building to developing countries.
Promotes environmental awareness through education campaigns targeting youth and civil society.
Coordinates global responses to environmental emergencies, pollution incidents, and natural disasters.
Develops international guidelines on chemicals, waste management, and environmental standards.

UNEP and India

India maintains strong collaboration with UNEP on climate action, biodiversity conservation, waste management, and circular economy initiatives.

India hosted World Environment Day 2018, themed “Beat Plastic Pollution”.
UNEP supports India through policy advice, technical assistance, and sustainable finance initiatives.
Collaboration also extends to ecosystem restoration, resource efficiency, and green technology promotion.

Major UNEP Initiatives

Clean Up the World (1993): Mobilises volunteers globally to clean public spaces and water bodies.Promotes community participation and sustainable waste practices.
Billion Tree Campaign (2006): Encourages large-scale afforestation and reforestation to combat climate change and land degradation.
Seal the Deal (2009): Aimed at mobilising global public opinion for a legally binding climate agreement during the Copenhagen Summit.
APELL (Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level): Strengthens community preparedness for industrial and chemical emergencies.
TUNZA Youth Programme: Engages youth through environmental education, leadership programmes, and global summits.
Faith for Earth Initiative (2017): Engages religious institutions and faith leaders to promote environmentally responsible behaviour.
UN-REDD Programme: Joint initiative with FAO and UNDP to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Global Peatlands Initiative: Protects peatlands, which are critical natural carbon sinks.
Greening the Blue: Aims to make UN operations environmentally sustainable by reducing emissions, waste, and resource use.

Key Reports Published by UNEP

Global Environment Outlook (GEO): Comprehensive assessment of the global environment, published every four years.
Emissions Gap Report: Analyses the gap between current emissions and Paris Agreement targets.
Adaptation Gap Report: Evaluates global progress in climate adaptation and identifies key gaps.
Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO): Assesses biodiversity trends under the CBD framework.
Global Air Quality Assessment: Examines air pollution sources, impacts, and mitigation strategies.
Frontiers Report: Highlights emerging environmental threats such as microplastics and zoonotic diseases.
Food Waste Index Report: Provides data and solutions to reduce global food wastage.

Environmental Conventions Associated with UNEP

Category	Convention	Purpose
Conventions Hosted by UNEP	Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)	Ensures conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
	CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)	Regulates international trade in endangered species to ensure it does not threaten their survival in the wild.
	Minamata Convention on Mercury	Protects human health and the environment by phasing out mercury use, controlling emissions, and reducing mercury pollution.
Conventions Supported by UNEP	Vienna Convention & Montreal Protocol	Protect the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS); regarded as the most successful environmental treaty.
	Basel Convention	Controls transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes to prevent environmental and health damage.
	Stockholm Convention	Eliminates or restricts persistent organic pollutants (POPs) harmful to human health and ecosystems.
	Rotterdam Convention	Promotes Prior Informed Consent (PIC) in international trade of hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
	UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)	Receives scientific, technical, and capacity-building support from UNEP for global climate action.
	UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification)	Supports efforts to combat desertification, mitigate land degradation, and promote sustainable land management.

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Q. With reference to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), consider the following statements:
1. UNEP provides scientific and technical support to global climate processes under the UNFCCC framework.
2. The Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) ensures continuity of UNEP’s work between sessions of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).
3. The Adaptation Gap Report, published by UNEP, evaluates global progress in climate change mitigation.
4. UNEP collaborates with FAO and UNDP under the UN-REDD Programme to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: UNEP supports UNFCCC processes through scientific, technical, and capacity-building assistance for global climate action.
Statement 2 is correct: The Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR), based in Nairobi, functions as the main advisory body to UNEA and ensures institutional continuity between UNEA sessions.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Adaptation Gap Report focuses on climate adaptation, assessing resilience, finance, and preparedness gaps—not mitigation targets alone (which are assessed in the Emissions Gap Report).
Statement 4 is correct: The UN-REDD Programme is a joint initiative of UNEP, FAO, and UNDP, aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.