Selection Criteria

Selection of awardees will be based on demonstration of one or more of the following criteria:

Marked improvement in environmental emergency performance based on lessons learned
Innovative dissemination and communication of environmental emergency lessons learned, including the development of education and training courses based on lessons
Development of sources of information on disasters which are readily available to key stakeholders
Willingness to provide assistance and efforts to support international response missions on environmental emergencies
International capacity-building missions aimed at helping countries prepare for environmental emergencies
Major improvements in internal capacity and preparedness to deal with environmental emergencies
Dedication to respond to environmental emergencies in a professional, collaborative and transparent manner


“Investing and re-investing in the planet's ecosystem infrastructure can go a long way to buffering at-risk communities from the worst of the impacts while also being a major adaptation policy against climate change”. Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director

UNEP in China: Building Back Better

This publication outlines UNEP's work in China following the 2008 earthquake in the Sichuan Province.

UNEP and Disasters and Conflicts at a Glance

Where resource exploitation has driven conflict or hindered peace, UNEP seeks to transform the risks of further conflict over natural resources into opportunities for lasting peace and development

UNEP Disasters and Conflicts Website