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The UN Environment Program (UNEP) is the UN's principal environment organization, responsible for catalyzing action on global environmental problems. UNEP also supports the collection, assessment and dissemination of environmentally related information.
The U.S. contribution to UNEP was reduced from $15 million in 1995 to $7 million in 1996. This had a negative effect on the organization's ability to carry out its general programs because the United States is the major donor to the environment fund. Several other governments also lowered their contributions.
UNEP reorganized its program of work in 1996 to account for the decline in funding. The 1996-1997 biennium budget for the environment fund was planned using a $90 million figure, but contributions lagged significantly. While UNEP did receive $45 million dollars by the end of 1996, the program was reviewed and priorities established for the 1997 year using a lower income amount.
Despite these problems, UNEP continued to make progress on key issues of importance to the United States. It supported the implementation of various international environmental agreements such as the Basel Convention on trade in hazardous wastes; the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol to reduce the use of ozone-depleting substances; the Biodiversity Convention to protect against species loss; and the Convention to Combat Desertification. UNEP also continued its work through the regional seas program to implement the Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (Resolution 18/31). UNEP was also instrumental in promoting international efforts to limit certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides, in particular those such as DDT and PCBs.
The United States also continued its support for UNEP's scientific monitoring and assessment, Earthwatch, through participation in several of its programs, in particular, the Global Resource Information Database (GRID), the Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS Air and Water) and the environmental information retrieval system (INFOTERRA).
Upon U.S. urging, the early stages of this process focused on analysis and assessment. At the second Conference of the Parties, held in Geneva in July 1996, a large majority of parties agreed to a ministerial declaration that defined the direction of negotiations leading to the third Conference of the Parties. The United States strongly supported this declaration, which contained many provisions advocated at the meeting by the United States. In the U.S. view, the new legal instrument should strengthen action on climate change by:
· Setting legally binding targets and timetables for developed country parties (a notable departure from the approach adopted in the FCCC, in which developed countries agreed to a nonbinding aim to control their greenhouse gas emissions);
· Minimizing implementation costs through flexibility in how, where and when emissions are reduced (e.g., freedom to choose appropriate national policies and measures, trading international emissions, joint implementation and multiyear emissions budgets);
· Continuing to advance the implementation of commitments for developing country parties; and
· Including a mechanism for reviewing and, if necessary, strengthening whatever commitments are set.
Work also continued in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The member states agreed to a 1997 work plan at the 12th plenary session in September 1996, focusing on those issues which most effectively assist the FCCC parties in their deliberations. In addition to considering the process for the preparation of the Third Assessment Report (due in 2000), the IPCC has completed shorter assessments on climate change impacts, the effects of actions by developed countries, and evaluations of climate change models. The IPCC also elected a new chairman, Dr. Robert Watson of the United States. He will assume this position at the 13th plenary in September 1997.
The UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) was established by the General Assembly in 1955 to provide continuous review and evaluation of the effects of ionizing radiation on humans and their environment. Radiation in this context covers both natural and man-made (i.e., from atmospheric and surface nuclear explosions) environmental radiation, and medical and occupational exposures. The Committee receives, assembles and compiles reports and information furnished by its member states, members of the United Nations, specialized agencies, the IAEA and nongovernmental organizations on observed levels of ionizing radiation and on scientific observations and experiments relevant to the effects of ionizing radiation on people and the environment.
The 45th session of UNSCEAR met June 17-21 in Vienna, Austria. On the basis of documents prepared by the UNSCEAR Secretariat, the Committee reviewed and worked on the following documents: Sources of Radiation Exposure, Combined Effects of Radiation and Other Agents, Dose Assessment for Radionuclides, Effects of Radiation on the Environment, DNA Repair and Mutagenesis, Chernobyl: Local Doses and Effects, Epidemiology, Hereditary Effects and Report to the General Assembly.
[end of part 5]