United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Environmental mandate
The Committee on Environmental Policy is the general intergovernmental body. In addition, the ECE is servicing five environmental Conventions and 12 Protocols to them. Also, the Division is servicing the tripartite Transport, Health and Environment process together with the ECE Transport Division and WHO/Euro. The Division is also providing the secretariat services to the ‘Environment for Europe’ Ministerial process and to the regional follow-up to the WSSD, including the arranging of regional implementation meetings. The new Steering Committee on Education for Sustainable Development, which is a cooperative arrangement between Environment and Education Ministries, is serviced by the Division. The ECE Committee on Human Settlements is the intergovernmental body in its area of work and it is serviced by the Division.
Environmental activities
The broad aim of ECE’s environment activities is to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in its member countries in line with Agenda 21. The practical aim is to reduce pollution so as to minimize environmental damage and avoid compromising environmental conditions for future generations.
The ECE has negotiated five environmental treaties, all of which are now in force:
• Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution
• Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context
• Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
• Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents
• Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
Their governing bodies are serviced by the ECE secretariat, which also helps them to monitor the implementation of the treaties.
The Committee on Human Settlements provides a forum for the compilation, dissemination and exchange of information and experience on housing, urban development, land administration including national and local objectives and policies.