UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development
2005 Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building adopted by the UNEP Governing Council.
- Framework for UNEP’s delivery of technology support and capacity building.
2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment highlights the importance of ecosystems to human well-being, and the extent of ecosystem decline.
- Highlighted importance of ecosystems to human well-being.
- Influence on policy and decision making worldwide.
- 1,360 scientists from 95 countries.
2007 Fourth IPCC Assessment Report states that warming of the climate is unequivocal.
- Mainstreamed scientific understanding of climate change and stirred public action.
- 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
- Bali Action Plan – calling for comprehensive action beyond 2012.
- Integration of climate change and sustainable development policies.
2007 The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity (TEEB) launched
- Spotlights global economic benefits of biodiversity and ecosystems and multitrillion dollar losses being sustained by unsustainable path.
- Up to a dozen countries launch national assessments from Colombia to UK.
2007 International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management established to provide the scientific impetus for decoupling economic growth and resource use.
- Tripling of resource use by 2050 projected - call for global action.
- Governments adopt policies to ‘decouple’ the use of natural resources from economic development.
2008 UN-REDD programme launched to combat deforestation, forest degradation and climate change.
- 42 partner countries.
- 14 national REDD programmes.
- US$ 118 million funding from Norway, Denmark, Spain and Japan.
2008 UNEP becomes a climate neutral organization (through reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and procuring carbon credits to compensate for the remaining emissions).
- 3 % annual emission reductions target.
- Energy efficiency measures in buildings; e-communication; reduced paper use; improved waste management and staff awareness.
2008 Launch of the Global Green New Deal--Green Economy.
- Transformational solution to both the economic crisis and environmental challenges.
- Over 20 governments receive GEI advisory services.
- National policy initiatives in 15 countries.
- Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication becomes central Rio+20 theme.
2009 International negotiations to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury are launched.
- 120 countries andstakeholders work towards a global treaty on mercury by 2013 to reduce impact on health and the environment.
2010 Nusa Dua Declaration adopted at UNEP’s Global Ministerial Forum in Indonesia.
- International pledge to step-up global response to environmental and sustainability challenges.
- Focus on role of marine and coastal ecosystems in the fight against climate change.
2010 Governments agreed to establish an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
- Designed to bridge the gap between science and policy for better and more focused action on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
2011 UNEP launches the Green Economy report: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication.
- Investment of 2 % of global GDP in ten key sectors can grow economy, generate jobs and keep humanity within planetary boundaries
- Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication key theme for Rio+20.
2011 UNEP and UN-HABITAT open New Energy Efficient Office Facility in Gigiri
- 6000 square metres of rooftop solar panels generate optimal energy.
- Reduced water consumption.
- Cost of investment repaid through lower energy bills in 7-10 years.