The Polar Regions are facing ever-increasing changes due to climate change, resource exploitation, infrastructure development and tourism. These changes are creating difficult challenges and unique opportunities with global implications.
The Polar Programme advocates sustainable development of the Arctic and Antarctica through building knowledge and awareness for sound decision-making, participating in international stakeholder processes, and further developing the capacity of Arctic peoples.
In collaboration with numerous partners and regional stakeholders, the Polar Programme undertakes environmental management and capacity-building projects and initiatives in the Arctic and Antarctica with a global context.
UNEP has designated UNEP/GRID-Arendal as "the UNEP key centre on Polar environmental assessments and early warning issues, with particular focus on the Arctic".