All publications and documents

The Paris Agreement has raised the political profile of climate resilience. There is now a global goal for climate change adaptation and it is recognized that adaptation represents a challenge with local, national and international dimensions. The 2016 Adaptation Finance Gap Report explores the costs of meeting adaptation needs and assesses the funding that is available for meeting those…

Unprecedented economic growth, which has lifted millions out of poverty in Asia and the Pacific, is putting heavy pressure on ecosystems. Increasing unsustainable consumption patterns have led to worsening air pollution, water scarcity and waste generation, threatening human and environmental health. Increased demand for fossil fuels and natural resources - extensive agriculture, palm oil and…

A rise in the amount of degraded land and the spread of desertification - the "most critical challenges" in West Asia - are having profound economic and environmental impacts on the region, the UNEP report on the region states. West Asia is suffering from an increase in water demand, overexploitation of groundwater resources and deteriorating water quality, as well as unsustainable patterns of…

In accordance with the voluntary nature of the guidelines for sustainable soil management, governments have the responsibility for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The successful implementation of the guidelines is possible only on the basis of a collective action of multiple stakeholders. Governments are encouraged to set up platforms and frameworks for collective action at…

How to decide on research policies for the environment? Up-to date scientific and technological research is vital to allow humans to adapt appropriately to our changing global environment, and current rates of environmental degradation and resource depletion. Effective research policies are essential to maintain or improve the standard of life for future populations – in Europe and globally.It is…

There were 8.6 million new displacements associated with conflict and violence in 28 countries during 2015. The average number of people displaced each year by conflict and violence has risen over the last 13 years. There were 40.8 million people internally displaced worldwide as a result of conflict and violence as of the end of 2015. This represents an increase of 2.8 million from…