UNEA-7 in Nairobi and UNEP’s GEO-7 report: key findings
Why in the news
The seventh UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) was under way in Nairobi on 10 December 2025, with members divided over UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2026-2030. UNEP also released the 7th Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) around the session.
Key facts
- The strategy covers climate change, biodiversity, pollution and land restoration.
- Fifteen draft resolutions were being negotiated; several were withdrawn for lack of support.
- UNEP’s regular budget fell by 20%; Environment Fund contributions dropped 11-12%, mainly because of lower US and other donor funding.
- GEO-7: GHG emissions have risen 1.5% annually since 1990.
- GEO-7: one million of an estimated eight million species face extinction.
- Strategic investment could yield USD 20 trillion a year by 2070.
| GEO-7 indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Emissions growth since 1990 | 1.5% a year |
| Species threatened | 1 million of about 8 million |
| Pollution-related deaths | 9 million a year |
| Potential gain by 2070 | USD 20 trillion a year |
About UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority. It was founded on 5 June 1972 and has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. GEO-7 names five transformation areas: economy and finance, materials and waste, energy, food systems, and the environment.
Exam angle
- Note UNEP’s founding date, 5 June 1972, and its Nairobi base.
- Remember the key GEO-7 numbers: 1.5%, one million species, USD 20 trillion.
- UNEA-7 is the seventh assembly; strategy period 2026-2030.