Environmental protection calls for thinking in global terms | Umweltbundesamt

The Federal Environment Agency supports the work of the UNEP, for example in its initiatives to promote a Green Economy as well as a global system of chemical and waste management. Says Jochen Flasbarth, "Future economic development must be organised in such a way that respects the planet's limits with regard to climate change, protection of fertile soils or the consumption of resources." The aim of the Green Economy is to pursue economic development based on principles of sustainability, which also means taking account of ecological constraints. Initiatives and projects to avoid problematic chemicals are especially important at global level since many chemicals are transported worldwide. Achim Steiner remarks, "Global environmental policy must increasingly seek to look beyond merely finding solutions to concrete environmental problems and become a driving force of societal developments that ultimately unite environmental protection and economic prosperity."

One important agenda topic will be how to strengthen cooperation on the mitigation of short-lived greenhouse gases such as soot, methane or fluorinated hydrocarbons. Methane and soot in particular not only intensify climate change, they also deteriorate air quality, which can result in health problems.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) was upgraded in 2012. In its present form the institution disposes of more funding. All Member States of the United Nations (UNO) have automatically gained membership to the UNEP. The governing body of the UNEP had previously been a Governing Council with regularly changing membership. The Governing Council has been replaced by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), which sets the priorities for global environmental policy, advises UNO organisations on environmental issues and reacts to new challenges by adoption of resolutions.