About the EEC
Environmental emergencies1 are defined as sudden onset disasters or accidents resulting from natural, technological or human-induced factors, or a combination of these that cause or threaten to cause severe environmental damage as well as loss of human lives and property.
The EEC was established in 2012 with financial and in-kind support of Member States. The UN Environment Programme / UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Joint Environment Unit acts as the custodian of the site. The EEC draws on the resources, services and expertise of EEC partners (link to Partner network page), allowing users to draw on a wide range of tools and services. The EEC is designed for everyone, communities and governments alike, seeking training, knowledge, experience and good practice to strengthen preparedness and effective response to environmental emergencies and disasters.
The EEC features:
- A Resource library with tools, guidelines, mission reports and case studies. More tailored guidance and resources for humanitarian contexts can be found on the EHA Connect website (link to site).
- An Insights page, offering updates on advocacy initiatives, blog posts on current news and events as well as articles and publications related to environmental emergencies.
- A Training section, offering free eLearning modules in multiple languages on how to prepare for, and respond to, the environmental dimensions of emergencies.
- A Network Partner section, highlighting EEC partners and networks with links to their respective websites and associated guidance.
The Environmental Emergencies Centre is hosted by the UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit (JEU). We invite everyone to contribute to the EECentre and to help us improve the tool by keeping it up to date! Send your improvements, guidance, comments and suggestions to the JEU at: ochaunep@un.org
1 UNEP/GC.22/INF/5,13 November 2002