22. The global CTBTO monitoring network that detects nuclear explosions is also helping Tsunami warning centres become faster. By providing seismic and hydroacoustic data directly to Tsunami warning centres in the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions (including in Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and United States), the CTBTO network helps these centres warn populations up to two and a half minutes earlier than they can with data from other networks. CTBTO monitoring data is second-to-none regarding data timeliness, availability and quality. The CTBTO monitoring network can also help forecast volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, detect accidental radioactive release, and increase the wealth of knowledge on climate change.

23. UNIDO helps industries adopt clean technology. For example, Venezuela is phasing out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), used mainly for refrigeration and air conditioning, and known to deplete the ozone layer. UNIDO is partnering with Venezuelan institutions to train refrigeration technicians in environmentally sound technologies, and distribute the necessary equipment. Close to 3,000 technicians have been certified and a code of practice was developed and implemented. Moreover, recovered CFC is now purified and recycled.

24. Nuclear techniques can help identify and mitigate environmental problems caused by pollution. The IAEA helps protect the world’s oceans, operating the UN’s only Marine Environment Laboratory, which studies the ocean environment and co-ordinates technical aspects of international ocean protection, training and assistance programmes.

25. Over 14,100 man-made space objects are orbiting the Earth, including nearly 3,300 satellites, manned spacecraft or their components, less than a third of which are still operational. UNOOSA manages the only international Register of official information provided by Governments on space objects launched into Earth orbit or beyond. By registering a space object, the launching country or organization declares responsibility for the operation and its potential liability for any damage caused by the space object. The Register facilitates the implementation of other international treaties and legal principles governing the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space.

26. Mountain areas are some of the most environmentally delicate regions, with problems including soil erosion, flooding, avalanches, drought, forest fires and water shortage. Climate change in mountain areas can reduce the stability of rock (permafrost), increasing landslides. Space technology can provide the information needed to protect mountain ecosystems on Earth, through remote sensing, satellite communications and global navigation satellite systems. UNOOSA helps countries make use of these technologies for the sustainable development of mountainous regions. Since 2004, UNOOSA has been assisting mountain regions such as the Hindu Kush-Himalayan and Andean regions.

27. The Carpathian mountain region spans the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine. In the Carpathian Convention, these countries agree to cooperate, with the support of UNEP in Vienna, to protect the mountain ecosystems by enabling sustainable regional development. Through international cooperation, public-private partnerships and experience exchange at the regional and global levels, mountain protected areas are better managed, sustainable tourism in mountains is promoted, mountain ecosystem services are better valued and mountain products are successfully marketed.

28. Covering 19 countries in Europe, the Danube region is the most international river basin in the world. The ICPDR is a platform for Danube countries to work together to make the river cleaner, and also to deal with the common problem of floods. Devastating floods in the 1990s have triggered a process of rethinking fundamental attitudes – rather than trying to dominate nature, the Danube countries are learning to co-exist with floods, and are working together to mitigate their impact through the International Action Programme for sustainable Flood Protection.