Publications

The 2016 edition of the Greening the Blue Annual Report presents the environmental performance of the UN system in 2015, covering operations of headquarters and field offices worldwide. 

The System-wide Framework of Strategies is a collaborative framework to achieve greater synergy, collaboration and coherence in the UN system’s work on the environment to support Member States in the delivery of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

In 2012, Members of the UN Environment Management Group prepared a Framework for Advancing Environmental and Social Sustainability in the UN system at the policy, program and operational levels. This Interim Guide serves as a basic tool to help the UN entities to start implementing the Framework. Its specific objectives are to raise awareness about environmental and social sustainability measures that can be adopted at the individual entity level, and to sensitize staff about the implications of and options for applying them.

The Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework strives to carry the United Nations system beyond the typical safeguard measures of “do no harm” to identify ways to “do good”. In the spirit of One United Nations, the Framework takes a holistic view of the organization’s work from policy conception through programme implementation and internal operations management, providing a broader base of knowledge for smart decision-making. The initiative looks to build on the internationally agreed sustainability norms and principles by adapting the best practices of environmental and social assessment procedures and management systems to United Nations System activities.

This report is designed to start a discussion about how the UN might adapt to a changing environment and help to lead the world in sustainable development.

The report reviews procurement practices across a range of UN organizations and identified existing approaches, barriers and opportunities. The report highlights that sustainable procurement should combine traditional considerations such as value for money and quality with environmental and social criteria, including life-cycle impacts, labour conditions, human rights and equity.

Peer reviewing refers to one or more of the agencies reviewing the environmental performance of fellow agencies’ facilities and internal operations. This brochure describes a typical peer review process, its benefits and peer reviewing experience to date.