Protection of the environment and the role of the United Nations

This book provides a comprehensive review of the roles played by the various programmes, autonomous organisations, specialised agencies and departments of the United Nations in assisting the developing world in attaining environmental objectives. It would be seen that almost all the various components of the United Nations have embraced environmental protection as part of their portfolios. This indicates the growing investment by the United Nations in the environment, particularly in developing countries. The evidence would suggest that the absence of coordination and rationalisation of activities may undermine the ability of the United Nations to deliver effective and efficient environmental assistance to developing countries. Ultimately, this book proposes a drastic restructuring of the United Nations insofar as environmental matters are concerned, hoping that scarce international funds will be well utilised and provide better money for value in environmental investment in developing countries.