UNEP works with the following nine Major Groups:
Non governmental organizations
The NGOs Major Group is the most diverse and has the highest number of accredited organizations with UNEP and with the UN system in general. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) make valuable contributions in promoting sustainable development through their well-established and diverse experience, expertise and capacity, especially in the area of analysis, sharing of information and knowledge, promotion of dialogue and support of implementation of sustainable development. NGOs have been important partners for UNEP since its foundation in 1972 and are currently involved in many UNEP activities, at policy and programmatic level, including implementation of projects through partnerships.
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Farmers
Farmers, including small-scale farmers and fishers, pastoralists and foresters, can make important contributions to sustainable development through production activities that are environmentally sound, enhance food security and the livelihood of the poor, and invigorate production and sustained economic growth. Therefore, UNEP engages with the Farmers Major Group at the policy and programmatic level, for example in the transition to a Green Economy.
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Indigenous peoples and their communities
UNEP recognizes the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ participation as well as the valuable inputs that these holders of traditional knowledge – gained through trans-generational experiences, observations and transmission - can contribute to sustainable ecosystem management and development.
Their close relationship and dependency on functioning ecosystems have made many Indigenous Peoples extremely vulnerable to changes and damages in the environment. Logging, mining activities, pollution and climate change all pose increasing threats to indigenous livelihoods and their survival.
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Local authorities
Local Governments, represented by the Local Authority Major Group, have an important role in environmental matters and can help to implement global agreements, influence policy and also contribute to safeguarding global common goods. Local Authorities or local governments can act at local level and when united through global Local Government Organisations, the collective impact can be significant. Local Authorities are often close to people and their local issues including matters as they relate to energy, waste, water, sanitation, land use, etc. which are of direct relevance to the local environment and health and well-being of people.
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Women
Women, represented by the Women Major Group, play a vital role in achieving sustainable development through promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Women stand at the front-line in terms of poverty, yet they provide invaluable contributions to sustaining communities around the world and managing the Earth’s biodiversity and natural resources. UNEP has been working since 1985 towards highlighting the important role that women play in sustainable development and adopted the Decision 23/11 on Gender Equality in the Field of Environment.
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The Scientific and Technological Community
IPBES aims to establish an interface between the scientific community and policymakers to build capacity for and strengthen the use of science in policymaking. In addition to UNESCO, UNDP, and FAO, UNEP is one of the UN co-partners of IPBES. Although there are many organizations and initiatives that contribute to the science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services, there is no ongoing global mechanism recognized by both the scientific and policy communities that brings information together and synthesizes and analyses it for decision making. IPBES is meant to address these gaps.
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Business and industry
The implementation of sustainable development will depend to a large degree on the active engagement of the private sector. UNEP recognizes that the active participation of the private sector –represented by the Business and Industry Major Group, under the nine major groups’ approach of Agenda 21 - is essential to achieve sustainable development, in particular through its involvement in the realization of a green and inclusive economy. UNEP supports national regulatory and policy frameworks that enable Business and Industry to advance sustainable development initiatives and promote innovative approaches to financing for sustainable development. This includes collaboration with the private sector towards the strengthening of institutional cooperation, capacity building, and partnerships for sustainable development which includes efforts in the area of corporate social responsibility
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Children and Youth
Children and Youth are advocates for future generations. As the issues we are addressing today will have a deep impact on present and future generations, the contributions of the Children and Youth Major Group are indispensable for UNEP’s work on policy and programmatic level. Hence, UNEP recognizes the need to promote intergenerational dialogue and solidarity by recognizing the views of young people. Through the UNEP TUNZA strategy a wealth of outreach and communication material towards awareness raising, education and capacity building is being produced to address youth.
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Workers and Trade Unions
Due to their central role in promoting fundamental values such as equity, fairness and inclusiveness, the participation of the Workers and Trade Unions Major Group is crucial to addressing sustainable development in all three pillars. As the representatives of working people, Trade Unions are important partners in facilitating the achievement of sustainable development in particular its social dimension. Information, education and training on sustainability at all levels, including in the workplace, are key to strengthening Workers’ and Trade Unions’ capacity to support sustainable development. In addition, the Workers and Trade Union Major Group plays a key role in developing and implementing the Green Economy Concept.
