Urbanization and the Environment

The EMG Issue Management Group (IMG) on Urbanization and the Environment was established in 2025 to support a coordinated UN system approach to sustainable urban development and the implementation of the UN System-Wide Strategy on Sustainable Urban Development.

The IMG provides a platform for UN entities to bring together their respective mandates and strengthen collaboration at the intersection of urbanization and the environment. It builds on a 2025 EMG Dialogue on Urbanization and the Environment, which highlighted both the environmental pressures associated with urbanization and the potential of cities as places where solutions can be developed and scaled.

The IMG’s work is developing around several areas with strong potential for joint UN action:

1. Land use and urban expansion

How urban expansion and land-use change can be addressed in ways that reduce pressure on biodiversity and support more sustainable patterns of urban development.

2. Housing and neighbourhoods

How the design and configuration of housing and neighbourhoods can contribute to climate change mitigation, resource efficiency and more sustainable urban living.

3. Informal settlement transformation

Opportunities to strengthen resilience and climate adaptation in informal settlements, while supporting inclusive and sustainable urban development.

4. Construction and material flows

Environmental impacts of construction, buildings and material use, including opportunities to reduce pollution, waste and resource consumption.

The IMG is concentrating on a limited number of priority actions, including thematic exchanges and peer learning, exploring opportunities for joint messaging, and identifying practical ways to support more coordinated implementation of the UN System-Wide Strategy on Sustainable Urban Development.

The IMG is led by UN-Habitat and currently has focal points from nine EMG member entities: ESCAP, FAO, OCHA, UN-Habitat, UNIDO, UNRWA, UN Women, UNU and the World Bank.