ABSTRACT
UNEP promotes international environmental legislation and the development of policy tools and guidelines aimed at achieving the sustainable management of the world environment. It helps governments to implement multilateral environmental agreements, and to report on their results. UNEP promotes an adaptive approach that integrates the management of forests, land, freshwater and coastal systems, focusing on sustaining ecosystems to meet future ecological needs, and to enhance human wellbeing. UNEP places particular emphasis on the following ecosystem services: climate regulation; water regulation; natural hazard regulation; energy; freshwater; nutrient cycling; and recreation and ecotourism. UNEP promotes environmentally sustainable water management, regards the unsustainable use of water as one of the most urgent environmental issues, and places a particular focus on shared transboundary waters. UNEP’s climate change-related activities have a particular focus on strengthening the capabilities of countries to integrate climate change responses into their national development processes, including through adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
