WESR Resources
The World Environment Situation Room provides federated data system of the best openly accessible environmental data, information and knowledge to support decision-making, policy and action at the global, regional, national and local levels for sustainable development and national planning needs. WESR leverages capacities within a network of partner organizations including UN entities, regional and national organizations, and the established network of GRIDs and collaborating centers. The federated data system brings together over 45 data platforms and 70 data sources.
Below is the direct access to the data platforms federated in WESR, as well as information on how to connect to WESR through the interoperability and API guidelines.
| Platform Name | Platform Description | Links |
|---|---|---|
| African Chemical Observatory
Geospatial Data |
This MapX workspace features the Chemicals Observatory project that aims at addressing the necessary improvements to be made in the fields of awareness, knowledge, information management and communication on the sound management of chemicals in Africa. As of November 2021 the observatory has been piloted in 9 countries in applying evidence-based decision making to policy and reporting. | Platform WESR |
| Caribbean Sea and Wider Caribbean
Geospatial Data |
This regional environment monitoring platform facilitates the compilation of information from national monitoring and assessment programmes to make environmental information generated in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) more accessible to stakeholders for national and regional decision-making. The platform supports reporting by countries on their national environmental obligations including the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols concerning Oil Spills, Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS) and Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW), which will further enable the periodic development of the Convention’s “State of” reports on Marine Pollution and Marine Biodiversity. | Platform WESR |
| InforMEA
Statistical Data and documents |
InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements – or MEAs - searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions and more. | Platform WESR |
| Interactive Country Fiches
Geospatial and Statistical Data |
This project will contribute to UN Environment Programme of Work Sub-programme 7 Environment under review, (iii) Strengthening of the science policy interface by countries based on the use of data, information and policy analysis in the areas of air quality, water quality, ecosystems, biodiversity, waste and hazardous chemicals, the marine environment and emerging issues. | Platform WESR |
| Minamata Convention Data Platform
Geospatial Data |
This MapX geospatial workspace focuses on the Minamata Convention to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury. It shows various geospatial layers, dashboards and story maps and includes case studies featuring the use of Remote Sensing tools to support the monitoring of the environmental impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). | Platform WESR |
| Nairobi Convention
Geospatial and Statistical Data |
The main objective of the SAPPHIRE project of the Nairobi Convention Secretariat is to achieve effective long-term ecosystem management in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region large Marine Ecosystems in line with the Strategic Action Programme for sustainable management of the Western Indian Ocean large Marine Ecosystems as endorsed by the participating countries. | Platform WESR |
| SCP-Hat
Statistical Data |
The “Hotspot Analysis Tool for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP-HAT)” aims at supporting science-based national SCP policies in countries around the world. The tool provides stakeholders of different levels of (policy) expertise with (1) an overview of a country’s performance with regard to SCP-related policy areas and (2) empirical evidence of hotspots of (un)sustainable consumption and production activities. The SCP-HAT allows for analysing direct as well as indirect impacts, i.e. supply-chain wide impacts, brought about by consumption and production activities of national economies. | Platform WESR |
| SDG portal
Geospatiial and Statistical Data |
The SDG framework has a total of 17 goals, 169 targets and 247 indicators— 92 of which are environment related. The SDGs aim to measure the most pressing issues facing the planet, including the interactions between topics. In terms of the environmental dimension of development, the SDGs cover natural resource management, climate change, water-related issues, marine issues, biodiversity and ecosystems, circular economy, environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste, and many other topics. UNEP is the Custodian for 25 of these SDG indicators – across SDG Goals: 6, 8, 12, 14, 15 and 17. For these, UNEP has the specific mandate to develop their methodologies, training materials for countries and SDG data reporting mechanisms. | Platform WESR |
| SDG661
Geospatial Data |
This indicator tracks changes over time in the extent of water-related ecosystems, which includes the following categories wetlands (swamps, marshes and peatlands), open water (rivers and estuaries, lakes, coastal waters and reservoirs) and groundwater aquifers. A combination of earth observation and ground-based data will be applied. Three principal aspects (spatial extent, quantify of water contained within these ecosystems and the health or state of these ecosystems) are monitored. | Platform WESR |
| SDGs in Latin America and the Caribbean Statistical knowledge management hub Geospatiial and Statistical Data |
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, approved in September 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, establishes a transformative vision towards the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the 193 United Nations Member States that adopted it. It is the guiding reference for the work of the international community until the year 2030. The 2030 Agenda presents a historic opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean since it includes high priority issues for the region, such as the eradication of extreme poverty, the reduction of inequality in all its dimensions, inclusive economic growth with decent work for all, sustainable cities and climate change, among others. | Platform WESR |
| UNBiodiversityLab
Geospatial Data |
The UN Biodiversity Lab (UNBL) provides access to global data and analytics on people and planet in new ways to empower governments and stakeholders to take action to achieve their commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. | Platform WESR |
| WESR Air Visual
Geospatial Data |
Includes regulatory-grade and sub-regulatory grade monitoring stations operated by governments, educational facilities, researchers, non-profit organizations, corporations and individuals. | Platform WESR |
| WESR Chemicals and Waste
Geospatial and Statistical Data |
The work of UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch has generated a wealth of information, data and knowledge related to chemicals and wastes. To assist countries and stakeholders with meeting various environmental targets and objectives of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, activities were conducted with digital tools developed and data generated 1) to monitor globally the presence of POPs and mercury in humans and in the environment; (2) to develop national inventories of POPs and mercury; (3) to strengthen knowledge sharing and usage for informed decision-making on environmentally sound management on chemicals and waste; and (4) to promote an integrated approach to address pollution and waste towards achieving the sustainable development goals. | Platform WESR |
| WESR-CCA
Geospatial and Statistical Data |
The WESR-Common Country Analysis component (WESR-CCA) aims at facilitating the integration of environmental information made available on open platforms specifically designed to enable stakeholders to use and share data and knowledge, and to engage in the production and use of scientifically sound information for assessment processes and for the transition to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). | Platform WESR |
| WESR-Climate
Geospatiial and Statistical Data |
This MapX geospatial workspace focuses on climate change. It shows various geospatial layers classified according to the driver-pressures-state-impact-response (DPSIR) model of intervention. Most layers are at the global level. | Platform WESR |
| WESR-Mediterranean
Geospatial Data |
Since February 1976, the UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention and its successively adopted protocols constitute a unique and advanced multilateral institutional, legal and implementation framework for the protection of the marine and coastal environment and sustainable use of their resources in the Mediterranean | Platform WESR |
| WESR-Mountain
Geospatial Data |
The WESR-Mountains platform, under continuous development, aims to centralize all relevant mountain research content for the benefit of the United Nations. It links as much as possible to existing authoritative sources with proper citation, but also gives access to original data created in the frame of UNEP/GRID-Geneva activities. | Platform WESR |
| WESR-Ocean
Geospatial Data |
The Global Environment Monitoring System for the Ocean and Coasts (GEMS Ocean) Programme aims to provide a framework for partnership and recognizes the importance of working with Member States and donors to shape a transformative service that truly bridges the gap between data, people and action. | Platform WESR |
| WESR-Ozone
Geospatiial and Statistical Data |
The ozone layer is a region of high ozone concentration in the stratosphere, 15 to 35 kilometres above Earth's surface. The ozone layer acts as an invisible shield and protects life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In the mid-1980s, scientists discovered severe ozone depletion over Antarctica, commonly known as “the ozone hole”. It was soon found that the ozone hole was a result of manmade chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, as refrigerants, blowing agents for foams and packing materials and solvents. |
Platform WESR |
| WESR-Pollution
Geospatial Data |
Pollution is pervasive and poses a direct threat to human health and the environment. Various forms of pollution are found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on. The UN Environment Programme is working with governments, business and civil society to Beat Pollution. To this end, the Implementation Plan Towards a Pollution Free Planet, which was welcomed at the fourth United Nations Environment Assembly, identified five key action areas for addressing the gaps and challenges associated with pollution: Knowledge, Implementation, Infrastructure, Awareness, and Leadership. | Platform WESR |
| WESR-Risk
Geospatial Data |
This MapX geospatial workspace focuses on natural risks. It shows various geospatial layers, mostly at the global level, and includes frequency/exposure/risk datasets on fires, volcanoes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, earthquakes, tropical cyclones, and multi-hazards. | Platform WESR |
| WESR Environment Statistics Explorer
Statistical Data |
Out of more than 500 internationally agreed environmental goals – IEAGs (global, regional, bilateral), Environment Statistics Explorer address the main environmental issues such as climate, stratospheric ozone, chemicals, biodiversity. The goals and targets related to these goals are part of outcome documents of relevant United Nations summits and conferences, resolutions of the General Assembly, decisions of other global intergovernmental conferences, multilateral environmental agreements – MEAs and decisions of their governing bodies. The purpose of the Environment Statistics Explorer website is to provide decision-makers and the general public with up-to-date geo-statistical information for monitoring the progress towards achieving these goals, while putting this information in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). | Platform WESR |
| WESR-Water
Geospatial and Statistical Data |
This MapX geospatial workspace focuses on water resources management. It show various geospatial datasets, mostly at the global level, including global surface water, groundwater resources and change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time (SDG 6.6.1). | Platform WESR |
| Communities of Practice (CoP)
Null |
- | Platform WESR |
| Biodiversity Indicators Partnership
Null |
The Biodiversity Indicators Partnership (BIP) is a global initiative to promote the development, delivery, and use of biodiversity indicators. Its primary role is to delivering indicators to monitor progress toward global and national goals and targets, such as those established under the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Convention on Migratory Species and Ramsar, among others. The BIP also supports indicators used in IPBES Assessment reports and for reporting progress towards Sustainable Development Goals. Indicators supported by the BIP are also used by national and regional government |
Platform |
| ECO-DRR Opportunity Mapping
Geospatial Data |
In this platform, users can display hazards exposure and the ecosystems which may reduce the impacts from various hazards. It allows to recognizing the role of ecosystems and nature to reduce disaster risks. It also highlights where ecosystems should be protected given their important roles for reducing disaster risk, and where their restoration should be prioritized. Ecosystems can provide solutions to reducing risks. |
Platform WESR |
| E-learning Platform (InforMEA + others)
Null |
InforMEA is the United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. It is a one-stop portal for information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements – or MEAs - searchable by key terms across treaty texts, COP decisions, national plans and reports, laws, court decisions and more. | Platform WESR |
| Strata, Earth Stress Monitor
Geospatial Data |
Strata is a geospatial data platform that supports practitioners and policymakers to identify and track environmental and climate stresses potentially driving threats to peace and security. Strata allows analysts, policy makers and practitioners to access and use climate security data in their daily work, including to raise awareness of converging risks, to design and prioritise policy and programming responses, and to monitor and evaluate interventions. | Platform WESR |
| ECOLEX: Gateway to Environmental Law
Null |
ECOLEX is an information service on environmental law, operated jointly by FAO, IUCN and UNEP. Its purpose is to build capacity worldwide by providing the most comprehensive possible global source of information on environmental law . This unique resource, which combines the environmental law information holdings of FAO, IUCN and UNEP, seeks to put this information at the disposal of users world-wide, in an easily accessible service, employing modern technology. |
Platform |
| Flood and Drought Portal
Geospatial and Statistical Data |
The Flood and Drought Management Tools project provides a methodology with online tools to facilitate the inclusion of information on floods and droughts, and future scenarios into Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) planning and Transboundary Diagnostic Analyses (TDA) and Strategic Action Plans (SAP), and Water Safety Planning (WSP). These approaches are used to support planning from the transboundary basin to local (water utility) level. | Platform |
| Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) for Business
Null |
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are the most important places in the world for species and their habitats. By accessing these data through IBAT, commercial users, private industry and other stakeholders can make the best decisions about how to manage land (or waters), where to avoid development and how best to conserve and protect the animals and plants for which sites are so important. | Platform |
| ENCORE
Null |
ENCORE (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure) is a tool to help users better understand and visualise the impact of environmental change on the economy. By focusing on the goods and services that nature provides to enable economic production, it guides users in understanding how businesses across all sectors of the economy potentially depend and impact on nature, and how these potential dependencies and impacts might represent a business risk. | Platform |
| Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density (SDG 14.1.1)
Null |
Coastal areas are areas of high productivity where inputs from land, sea, air and people converge. With over 40 per cent of the human population residing in coastal areas, ecosystem degradation in these areas can have disproportionate effects on society (IGOS, 2006). One of the largest pressures on coastal environments is eutrophication, resulting primarily from land-based nutrient input from agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater discharge. | Platform WESR |
| SDGs Scorecard
Statistical Data |
The National Scorecard is a tool developed by UNEP to showcase the progress of countries in realizing the 92 environment-related SDG indicators. Users can select any country and navigate by goal or indicator levels. Data is presented by table and charts to facilitate the visualization of the progress made. The Scorecards are automatically updated once new data is published. National Scorecards assists UN Country Teams and national stakeholders in their Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the SDG Voluntary National Reviews (VNR). | Platform WESR |
| Ocean+
Null |
Ocean+ is an initiative that brings together accurate and up-to-date data and information on ocean biodiversity to support effective decisions that protect global marine life. | Platform WESR |
| SDG Hub for the Environment
Null |
UN Environment is the custodian agency for 26 Sustainable Development Goals Indicators and has the mandate to collect and report data for these indicators to United Nations Statistical Division for the Secretary General Progress Report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. UN Environment contribute to the total of 93 SDG indicators that are related to the environment. | Platform WESR |
| Species+
Statistical Data |
Species+, developed by UNEP-WCMC and the CITES Secretariat, is a website designed to assist Parties with implementing CITES, CMS and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Species+ provides a centralised portal for accessing key information on species of global concern. | Platform |
| Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme spatial data sets
Geospatial Data |
- | Platform |
| Towards a Global Pact Portal
Documents |
By the resolution the Assembly decided to establish an ad hoc open‑ended working group. This working group is to consider a technical and evidence-based report to be submitted by the UN Secretary General that identifies and assesses possible gaps in international environmental law and environment-related instruments, so that possible options to address these can be discussed, as appropriate, and, if deemed necessary, the scope, parameters and feasibility of an international instrument. The working group has been mandated to present its recommendations to the General Assembly during the first semester of 2019. | Platform |
| Water bodies of Concern
Geospatial Data |
The Cascade portal presents an up-to-date picture of the status of the world’s water bodies. It is updated weekly with the latest Earth Observation data. Complex data is transformed into a simple ‘traffic light’ warning system for each water body, giving the status as: "Normal", "Warning”, or “Alert”. The current status is calculated from a mixture of hydrological, water quality, and socioeconomic indicators. | Platform |
| World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA)
Geospatial Data |
- | Platform |
| Protected Planet
Null |
Protected Planet is the most up to date and complete source of data on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), updated monthly with submissions from governments, non-governmental organizations, landowners and communities. | Platform WESR |
| UNEP Knowledge Repository
Documents |
The UNEP Knowledge Repository captures, indexes, and stores UNEP’s collective knowledge output for long-term preservation, access and use. | Platform WESR |
|
Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter GPML Null |
The Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter Digital Platform enables this coordination and informs all actors working to address this. It offers a single point of access for current, accurate data and information on marine litter and plastic pollution and related topics, and it provides a wide range of materials to support stakeholders’ needs, ranging from scientific research to technological innovation and public outreach, to inform decision-making, educate and raise awareness, facilitate target setting, and advance stakeholders’ cooperation and coordination. This multi-stakeholder, mostly open-source Digital Platform is a one-stop-shop that, as called for in paragraph 3 of UNEA resolution 4/6, compiles and crowdsources different resources, integrates data, and connects stakeholders to guide action around this pressing issue. The platform’s objectives tie directly to UNEP’s Programme of Work (PoW) project 522.4 “Protecting the marine environment from land-based pollution through strengthened coordination of global action”, with close linkages to other pillars. |
Platform WESR |
Contact Us : WESR Team