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The planet was already showing signs of buckling under the weight of humanity back in 1972 when the agency was founded. In the following decades, UNEP and its partners would work with Member States to combat air pollution, restore the ozone layer, protect the world’s seas, promote a green and inclusive economy, and raise the alarm about biodiversity loss and climate change. That work has never been more important.

The Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability (CODES) – a UN-backed coalition of 1,000 stakeholders – was launched during Stockholm+50 to support the application of digital technologies to address the triple planetary crisis.

UNEP has made the strategic decision to move toward cross-sector and multi-sector alliances and initiatives in high-impact industries.

UNEP created three thematic funds to provide flexible financing to support delivery of the Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2025) objectives of climate stability, living in harmony with nature and moving towards a pollution-free planet. US$14 million was raised for the funds in 2022.   

UNEP has created a human resources outreach strategy to increase the organization’s visibility as an employer of choice for young talent from underrepresented Member States and less-represented regional groups. There has also been progressive improvement in regional group diversity. In 2022, there was an overall increase (compared to 2021) of over 35 per cent in the selection of candidates from less represented regional groups for positions in the Professional and above categories.

The quantity of debris recovered and sorted in Mosul by a new UNEP-backed recycling centre.

The equivalent number of cars that will be taken off the road each year by emissions cuts delivered through UNEP-supported efficient lighting work in Pakistan and Indonesia.

The additional global warming that may be avoided by the Montreal Protocol by protecting carbon sinks from ultraviolet radiation.

The number of concrete targets to be met by 2030 under the new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.