Cunningham, GerardPillmann, WernerTochtermann, Klaus2019-09-162019-09-162002https://dl.gi.de/handle/20.500.12116/26973The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is leading a global initiative called UNEP.Net that is aimed at sharing environmental knowledge and experience. Recognizing that several international mandates and a significant body of national legislation have generated many different initiatives to provide greater access to information on environmental matters, there is a need to integrate these disparate initiatives into one coherent body of environmental knowledge. Taking advantage of the Internet as a powerful tool for information dissemination, UNEP has embarked on the development of a global environmental information portal (www.unep.net) that acts as a single gateway but offers multiple access pathways depending on the type of information being sought, the geographic area of interest and the thematic interest of the user. Allied to the development of the portal is the re-engineering of UNEP’s information networks so that an effective structure is in place to support the delivery of authoritative environmental data and information. The UNEP.Net initiative is, in effect building a global framework for environmental knowledge. The initiative is consistent with UNEP’s global catalytic role in mobilizing partners to take action in protecting the environment and advancing the agenda for sustainable development.Text/Conference Paper