UNEPMarch 2014: The UN EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP) has published its annual report for 2013, which focuses onUNEP's achievements in key focus areas: climate change; disasters andconflicts; ecosystem management; environmental governance; harmful substancesand hazardous waste; resource efficiency; and sustainable consumption andproduction (SCP).

On climate change, UNEP highlights, interalia, the: findings of its ‘Emissions Gap Report 2013' and the ‘AfricaAdaptation Gap Report;' opening of the Climate Technology Centre and Network(CTCN); and adoption of a reducing emissions from deforestation and forestdegradation in developing countries (REDD) 'rulebook.' It also describes workon adaptation, energy and resilience.

On ecosystem management, UNEP describes itsefforts with regard to natural capital, payments for ecosystem services (PES)and oceans and coastal areas. Looking forward, pastoralism is anticipated togain attention and investment as an element of the green economy through UNEP'spartnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) andthe World Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, according to the report.

UNEP's work on chemicals includes: adoptingthe Minamata Convention on Mercury; addressing lead; and tacklingozone-depleting substances (ODS).

On resource efficiency, the reportfeatures, inter alia: green economy initiatives, including the Partnership forAction on the Green Economy (PAGE); the UNEP Finance Initiative; and theSustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative.

The report also highlights: the firstmeeting of UNEP's Governing Council under universal membership; capacitybuilding efforts to enhance implementation of Multilateral EnvironmentalAgreements (MEAs); integration of pro-poor, environmental sustainabilityobjectives through the Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI); activities tobring science to policymakers, including through the launch of ‘UNEP Live;' andefforts to address illegal wildlife trade.

For each focus area, the report listsbudget allocations and expenditures, evaluates achieved results againstexpected accomplishments and describes areas of action. The report alsoincludes sections on: the environment in numbers; financial and management issues;and the Champions of the Earth award. 

Source from:http://uncsd.iisd.org/news/unep-annual-report-highlights-2013-achievements/