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Te fiſth Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5) provides the scientific analysis as to why the world needs an urgent switch in its developmental direction 20 years aſter the Rio Earth Summit of 1992.

GEO-5 underlines not only the severity of the environmental changes and challenges emerging across the globe but will also show that in far too many areas, environmental change is accelerating and pushing the planet towards tipping points.

As the UN’s most authoritative assessment of the state, trends and outlook of the global environment, the GEO-5 report and the world-wide consultative process underpinning its findings offers governments and societies, on the eve of Rio+20, the scientific foresight that can empower positive environmental change as a contribution to achieving sustainable development.

Tis Summary for Policy-Makers of GEO-5 provides a snapshot of the current state of the environment and the world’s performance in meeting key internationally agreed goals. It also highlights promising approaches, responses and policy options able to support a transition towards an inclusive green economy and a sustainable century.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme