Global Environment Outlook – GEO-6: Summary for Policymakers

Published to coincide with the Fourth United Nations Environmental Assembly, the Summary for Policymakers of the sixth Global Environment Outlook provides an evidence-based source of environmental information to help policymakers in government, local authorities and businesses achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Since the first edition in 1997, there have been many examples of environmental improvement, especially where problems have been well identified, manageable, and where regulatory and technological solutions have been readily available. Nevertheless, the overall condition of the global environment has deteriorated and urgent action, involving ambitious and effective policies, is necessary to arrest and reverse this situation. This Summary for Policymakers answers key policy questions by assessing the drivers of environmental change, the scale and effectiveness of policy responses, potential pathways for achieving sustainability goals in an increasingly complex world, and the data and information that can support the decision-making process. Also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

• Compiled under the auspices of a high-level intergovernmental and stakeholder advisory group comprising 25-30 government representatives from all six UN Environment regions as well as 8-10 key stakeholders
• Provides an analysis of global, regional and national policy responses
• Answers key question such as: is the current policy response enough? What does a sustainable future look like? What are the emerging issues and megatrends? What are the possible pathways to achieving Agenda 2030 and other environmental goals?
• This title is also available as Gold Open Access on Cambridge Core