Global Environment Outlook
Encyclopedia
The UNEP Global Environment Outlook (GEO) project was initiated in response to the environmental reporting requirements of Agenda 21
and to a UNEP Governing Council decision of May 1995 which requested the production of a new comprehensive global state of the environment report.
The coordinated global network of collaborating centres (CCs) is at the core of the GEO process. These centres have played an increasingly active role in preparing GEO reports. Regional centres are now responsible for almost all the regional inputs, combining top-down integrated assessment with bottom-up
environmental reporting. Other institutions provide specialized expertise on cross-cutting
or thematic issues.
Working groups provide advice and support to the GEO process, particularly on integrated assessment methodologies and process planning.
Other United Nations
agencies contribute to the GEO process, mainly by providing substantive data and information on the many environmental and related issues that fall under their individual mandates. They also participate in the review process.
The GEO reports are produced using a participatory and consultative approach. Input is solicited from a wide range of sources throughout the world, including the collaborating centre network, United Nations organizations and independent experts. Working together with the GEO Coordinating Team in Nairobi
and the regions, the CCs research, write and review major parts of the report. During the preparation of the report, UNEP organizes consultations inviting policy makers and other stakeholders to review and comment on draft materials. Drafts also undergo extensive peer review. This iterative process is designed to ensure that the contents are scientifically accurate and policy relevant to users in different parts of the world and with different environmental information needs.
Four GEO reports have been published to date: GEO-1 in 1997; GEO-2000
in 1999; GEO-3 in 2002; and GEO-4 in 2007.
At the 22nd session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GEMF) in 2003 governments requested UNEP to prepare an annual Global Environment Outlook statement to highlight significant environmental events and achievements during the year. Keeping abreast of environmental issues as they unfold, the GEO annual statement (GEO Year Book) is to be released in the beginning of every year in between the comprehensive GEO reports. The GEO Year Book 2003, the first in the annual series, was launched at the 8th Special Session of the GC/GMEF on the 29th March, 2004.
Other outputs of the GEO project include regional, sub-regional and national integrated environmental assessments, technical and other background reports, a website, products for young people (GEO for Youth) and a core database
– the GEO Data Portal
.
Agenda 21
Agenda 21 is an action plan of the United Nations related to sustainable development and was an outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992...
and to a UNEP Governing Council decision of May 1995 which requested the production of a new comprehensive global state of the environment report.
The coordinated global network of collaborating centres (CCs) is at the core of the GEO process. These centres have played an increasingly active role in preparing GEO reports. Regional centres are now responsible for almost all the regional inputs, combining top-down integrated assessment with bottom-up
Bottom-up
Bottom-up may refer to:* In business development, a bottom-up approach means that the adviser takes the needs and wishes of the would-be entrepreneur as the starting point, rather than a market opportunity ....
environmental reporting. Other institutions provide specialized expertise on cross-cutting
Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting is an editing technique most often used in films to establish action occurring at the same time in two different locations. In a cross-cut, the camera will cut away from one action to another action, which can suggest the simultaneity of these two actions but this is not always the...
or thematic issues.
Working groups provide advice and support to the GEO process, particularly on integrated assessment methodologies and process planning.
Other United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
agencies contribute to the GEO process, mainly by providing substantive data and information on the many environmental and related issues that fall under their individual mandates. They also participate in the review process.
The GEO reports are produced using a participatory and consultative approach. Input is solicited from a wide range of sources throughout the world, including the collaborating centre network, United Nations organizations and independent experts. Working together with the GEO Coordinating Team in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
and the regions, the CCs research, write and review major parts of the report. During the preparation of the report, UNEP organizes consultations inviting policy makers and other stakeholders to review and comment on draft materials. Drafts also undergo extensive peer review. This iterative process is designed to ensure that the contents are scientifically accurate and policy relevant to users in different parts of the world and with different environmental information needs.
Four GEO reports have been published to date: GEO-1 in 1997; GEO-2000
GEO-2000
GEO-2000 is the United Nations Environment Programme Global Environment Outlook 2000.The UNEP launched the Global Environment Outlook in 1995 to assess environmental issues and to have them published...
in 1999; GEO-3 in 2002; and GEO-4 in 2007.
At the 22nd session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GEMF) in 2003 governments requested UNEP to prepare an annual Global Environment Outlook statement to highlight significant environmental events and achievements during the year. Keeping abreast of environmental issues as they unfold, the GEO annual statement (GEO Year Book) is to be released in the beginning of every year in between the comprehensive GEO reports. The GEO Year Book 2003, the first in the annual series, was launched at the 8th Special Session of the GC/GMEF on the 29th March, 2004.
Other outputs of the GEO project include regional, sub-regional and national integrated environmental assessments, technical and other background reports, a website, products for young people (GEO for Youth) and a core database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
– the GEO Data Portal
UNEP GEO Data Portal
The UNEP GEO Data Portal is the authoritative source for data sets used by the UNEP and its partners in the Global Environment Outlook report and other integrated environment assessments...
.