The goal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) in the field of the environment is to preserve environment and human health while ensuring the promotion of sustainable development in its member states.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

More specifically, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) aims to reduce pollution so as to minimize environmental damage and conserve our natural resources.

To achieve these aims, the UN-ECE, through its Committee on Environmental Policy formulates environmental policies, develops international environmental law and supports international initiatives.

It helps member states to put these principles into practice by
organising seminars, workshops and advisory missions.

It helps countries in transition to improve their environmental performance by assessing their efforts to bring down pollution levels and manage their natural resources, and by making specific recommendations.

UN-ECE has negotiated five environmental conventions, which are all now in force:

• UN-ECE Convention on environmental Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution;
• UN-ECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context;
• UN-ECE Convention on the environmental Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes;
• UN-ECE Convention on the environmental Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents;
• UN-ECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.