Environmental development is key to achieving overall sustainable development.UNEP's work to promote environmental sustainability, the object of Millenium Development Goal 7, underpins global efforts to acheive all of the Goals agreed by world leaders at the Millennium Summit.

UNEP supports assessments of environmental conditions and trends including building the capacity of its many partners to generate the information necessary for sound environmental decision making to support sustainable development and the achievement of the Millennium Goals.

UNEP's work encompasses:

- Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends.
- Developing international and national environmental instruments.
- Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment.
- Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology for sustainable development.
- Encouraging new partnerships and mind-sets within civil society and the private sector.