For more than 30 years, the UN Environment Programme has played a leading role in developing and advancing the international agenda on biodiversity, and has collaborated with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on biodiversity projects since its establishment in 1991.
Our objectives
Our objectives are focused on mainstreaming biodiversity, addressing drivers of habitat and species loss, and improving policy and institutional frameworks.
Objective 1: mainstream biodiversity across sectors, as well as landscapes and seascapes
- Improve policies and decision-making, informed by biodiversity and ecosystem values
- Implement the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
- Implement the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing
Objective 2: address direct drivers to protect habitats and species
- Prevent and control invasive alien species
- Reduce pressures on coral reefs and other vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems
- Enhance the effectiveness of protected area systems
- Combat illegal and unsustainable use of species, with priority action on threatened species
Objective 3: further develop biodiversity policy and institutional frameworks
- Harness biodiversity for sustainable agriculture
- Manage biodiversity in landscapes and seascapes
- Improve biodiversity policy, planning, and review
Some numbers at a glance
Together with the Global Environment Facility we have:
- Invested over $660 million in biodiversity initiatives
- Implemented over 350 projects across over 160 countries
- Are actively currently supporting over 130 projects around the globe
- Active in 129 countries including:
- 22 projects in Africa
- 10 projects in Asia Pacific
- 4 projects in Europe
- 14 projects in LAC
- 3 projects in West Asia
- And many more
- 3,773,222 ha of protected areas under improved management
- 127,031 ha of new protected areas
- 4,875,589 ha of forest under Sustainable Forest Management
