GEO-1 shows that significant progress has been made in the last decade in confronting environmental challenges both in developing and industrial regions, but that, nevertheless, the global environment has continued to degrade. Poverty, burgeoning population growth, the inefficient use of resources, high levels of consumption, waste generation, and industrial pollution are some of the key factors leading to this continuous degradation. Progress towards a sustainable future is simply too slow. The report argues that effective policy setting for sustainable development requires a blend of policy instruments that addresses the social fabric of life, ensures effective institutional arrangements, improves the economy and protects the environment.
GEO-1 report shows that? It -
- has set in motion a globally distributed process to continuously keep under review the state of the global environment.
- is regionally differentiated.
- presents for the first time, and from a regional perspective, environmental policy responses.
- contains an initial analysis of possible future developments.
- involved scientists and policy makers in its production.