Countries use this program when a problem crosses a border: polluted air, damaged oceans, or a species that is disappearing in more than one place. It was created in 1972, after the Stockholm conference on the human environment, and it sits inside the United Nations (UN).
What the Programme Coordinates
The work is coordination and science, not a police force. Member states still pass their own laws. The programme gathers assessments, hosts negotiations, and helps governments carry out the treaties they have already signed.
- Assessments. Scientific reviews collect what is known about climate, biodiversity, and pollution so negotiators share one evidence base.
- Treaties. Secretariats for several environmental agreements are administered alongside the programme.
- Country support. Governments can ask for help writing laws, measuring emissions, or training the staff who enforce them.
Where the Work Shows Up
| Area | Typical Result |
| Climate | National plans and emissions inventories that other countries can compare. |
| Nature | Shared targets for protecting species and habitats. |
| Pollution | Rules and monitoring for chemicals, waste, and dirty air. |