United Nations Environment Programme

**Safeguarding the environment for future generations** The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations’ leading global authority on the environment, driving transformational change on the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of?[climate change](https://www.unep.org/topics/climate-action), the crisis of?[nature, land and biodiversity loss](https://www.unep.org/topics/nature-action), and the crisis of?[pollution and waste](https://www.unep.org/chemicals-and-pollution-action).?? Since its [founding in 1972](https://www.unep.org/environmental-moments-unep50-timeline), UNEP has served as a neutral convener of Member States, civil society, the private sector and UN agencies to address humanity’s most pressing environmental challenges. From protecting species to restoring the ozone layer, UNEP-facilitated [international agreements](https://www.unep.org/multilateral-actions-safeguard-environment-timeline) have made global environmental action possible throughout the years. Today, UNEP hosts the [United Nations Environment Assembly](https://www.unep.org/environmentassembly/), the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, with a universal membership of all 193 United Nations’?[Member States](https://www.unep.org/cpr/member-states-directory). Through robust science, global coordination and powerful advocacy, UNEP continues to support all UN Member States – and all of society – to achieve the [Sustainable Development Goals](https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/sdgs)?and forge a future where people and planet live in harmony. With a workforce of nearly 3,000 people across 41 countries and territories, UNEP’s mission is?to inform,?enable, and?inspire nations and peoples to improve their quality of life while safeguarding the environment for future generations.