The
North American region comprises Canada and
the United States of America, two of the
largest countries in the world. The region
has one of the highest levels of development
in the world. Private consumption per capita
is about 5 times the global average, and
the region, with 5% of the world?s population,
consumes about 25% of total global energy.
As the major consumer of the world?s natural
resources and producer of its wastes, North
America?s per capita impact (?footprint?)
on the global environment is larger than
that of any other region.
Not
surprisingly, given the natural and economic
wealth of the region, Canada and the US
have strong domestic environment programmes.
They also have a long history of cooperation
on environmental issues, and there has been
considerable progress in tackling environmental
problems in North America, For example,
CFC consumption has been reduced almost
to zero, and the land area set aside for
parks and protected areas has increased.
Nevertheless, the region faces environmental
challenges, in particular those related
to high levels of consumption. As the major
consumer of the world?s natural resources
and producer of its wastes, North America?s
per capita impact (?footprint?) on the global
environment is larger than that of any other
region.
The
Regional Office for North America (RONA)
works with governments and civil society
in Canada and the US to promote effective
responses to international environmental
challenges. The overall objective of UNEP
in North America is to enhance cooperation
between the Governments of the region and
UNEP, and to establish partnerships with
North American institutes and agencies to
support the delivery of UNEP?s work programme
globally. Five specific objectives are defined
to achieve this:
¬ Promote interlinkages at the political level
by analyzing relevant developments in North
America and advise UNEP on how to respond
to, and capitalize on these developments
and keep governments of the region informed
of and engaged in UNEP?s work;
¬
Facilitate access to funding and support
from the region;
¬ Facilitate
partnerships and, in some cases implement,
in collaboration with relevant UNEP Divisions
and Offices, ongoing and currently planned
partnerships and collaborative activities
with governments and civil society organizations
in the region;
¬ Foster
new strategic partnerships with international
organizations, civil society organizations
and others; and
¬ Enhance
the profile of UNEP in North America through
public outreach
