Directory of Waste Resources on the Web
Governments and Inter-governmental organizations around the world work to protect land and resources. Choose pins on the map for the individual country ministries and departments. See the separate listing for selected international inter-governmental organizations whose mission is environmental protection.
Environmental Programs by Country
Click on a country capital to link to additional waste management information provided by that country.
Intergovernmental Organizations
African Development Bank Group - Environment The overarching objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries, thus contributing to poverty reduction.
Arctic Council – Environment and Climate The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum for Arctic governments and peoples. Arctic Council working groups include the Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP) and Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR).
Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Environmental Sustainability ADB's long-term strategic framework identifies environmentally sustainable growth as a key strategic development agenda, and environment as a core area for support.
Common Forum on Contaminated Land in the European Union The Common Forum is a network of contaminated land policy makers, regulators and technical advisors from Environment Authorities in European Union member states and European Free Trade Association countries.
European Union (EU) The EU is an economic and political partnership between 28 European countries that together cover much of the continent. Important EU environmental functions include:
- Environmental Directorate The Directorate-General for the Environment is one of more than 40 EU Directorates-General and services that make up the European Commission
- European Environment Agency (EEA) An agency of the European Union, the EEA’s function is to provide independent information on the environment for persons involved in developing, adopting, implementing, and evaluating environmental policy. Key EEA topics include: Chemicals; Land Use; Soil; and Waste and Material Resources
Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) GAHP is a collaborative body of member countries and organizations that facilitates the provision of technical and financial resources to address the impacts of pollution, particularly impacts associated with contaminated media, on health in low- and middle-income countries.
Global Environment Facility (GEF) The GEF is a partnership for international cooperation through which over 180 countries work together with international institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector to address issues, including global environmental issues, through grants and co-financing mechanisms. Focus areas for GEF include Chemicals & Waste and Land Degradation.
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - Environment The IDB helps member countries reconcile the demands of growth with the need to protect and manage its habitats and resources in order to achieve sustainable development.
Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development The overarching objective of this effort, announced at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and co-sponsored by South Africa, Canada, and others, is to enhance the capacity for governance in the mining, minerals and metals sector.
International Committee on Contaminated land (ICCL) ICCL is a forum, open to any country, for international exchange on issues and problems of contaminated land and groundwater.
International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) INECE is a partnership of government and non-government enforcement and compliance practitioners from more than 150 countries. INECE’s goals are: raising awareness to compliance and enforcement; developing networks for enforcement cooperation; and strengthening capacity to implement and enforce environmental requirements.
North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Comprised of Canada, Mexico and the United States the CEC addresses regional environmental concerns, help prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts, and promotes the effective enforcement of environmental law.
Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) – Environmental Directorate The OECD is comprised of governments from 34 countries around the world. The Environmental Directorate of the OECD, through country performance reviews, data collection, policy analysis, projections and modelling, provides governments with the analytical basis to develop common policies that are both effective and economically efficient. EPA is active on several OECD working groups. OECD focal areas include accidents and resource productivity and waste.
Organization of American States (OAS) – Division for Sustainable Development The OAS brings together all 35 independent states of the Americas and constitutes the main political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the Hemisphere. DSD supports the OAS member states in matters related to environmental issues, with a particular emphasis in linking environmental policies to core economic, rural development, poverty alleviation and economic integration goals.
United Nations (UN) The UN, founded after the Second World War, is an international organization committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights. Its environmental and public health functions include:
- Environment Programme (UNEP) UNEP, established in 1972, is the primary voice for the environment within the United Nations system and acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator, and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. UNEP plays a central role in administering a range of multilateral agreements which form the over-arching international legal basis for global efforts to address particular environmental issues. These agreements include: the Basel Convention to control transboundary movements of waste and their disposal; the Stockholm Convention to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants; and the Minamata Convention on mercury
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations FAO’s three main goals are: the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations
- International Maritime Organization (IMO) IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. The IMO administers the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships
- United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) UNISDR serves as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction efforts, including emergency preparedness, response, and recovery programs
- World Health Organization (WHO) The WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for global health matters and provides leadership on global health policy within the United Nations system
World Bank Group - Environment Made up of 188 member nations, the World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world to reduce poverty and support development. The Bank considers sustainable management of the environment and natural resources as vital for economic growth and human wellbeing.