I n an economy dependent on long-term sustainability of its natural resources, UNDP focuses on the development of a range of strategies that enhance the country’s ability to conserve and protect its environment, and to empower local communities and organisations to better manage natural ecosystems.

Environmental Governance

Mongolia has joined 14 environment-related UN Conventions and Treaties, such as Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) and Convention on Combating Desertification (CCD). UNDP supports capacity strengthening of concerned national and local institutions to fulfil their commitments to implement the provisions of these conventions, implement and monitor related policies, and enhance oordination
among them. UNDP also cooperates with local governments, civil society organizations, research organisations and media for wider outreach of environmental awareness campaigns.

Natural Resources Management

Mongolia’s vast grassland ecosystems are an integral part of the country’s economy, sustaining livestock, supporting the traditional nomadic way of life for more than one-third of the population. Mongolia is also home to a range of globally significant plant and animal species. In partnership with the Government of Mongolia and Government of the Netherlands and GEF, UNDP supports empowerment of community-based and local institutions in the area of sustainable utilisation and management of natural resources. In addition, UNDP focuses on biodiversity conservation in such “hot spots” as the Altai-Sayan and Gobi regions combined with skills training of men and women, networking, knowledge management and income generating activities in an
environmentally friendly manner. These regions host a number of species threatened by extinction, such as the snow leopard, gobi bear and Bactrian camel.

Energy Efficiency

In a country beset by long, harsh winters, heating of buildings requires almost 50 percent of the annual budget of state organisations and a substantial amount of individual households’ income. Reducing Mongolia’s reliance on wood and coal-based fuels for household heating is paramount not only for better health of the people and reducing air pollution in Mongolia
but also for the overall preservation of the global environment and the reduction of harmful carbon-based greenhouse-gas emissions.
In partnership with the Government of Norway and GEF, UNDP supports alternative materials for insulation, such as straw-bale to improve levels of heat retention in homes, decrease CO2 emissions and reduce air pollution. UNDP’s support is also extended to formulation of appropriate pro-poor policies and strategies in the energy sector. This includes technology development in clean energy production, and energy efficiency in the construction sector with measurable reductions of green house gas emissions.

Disaster Management

Mongolia is a country prone to natural disasters, primarily from droughts, dzuds (winter storms), forest fires and floods. These natural disasters have devastating social and economic effects, often resulting in catastrophic losses of livestock and mass migration of impoverished herder families
to the larger cities, in search of employment and better living conditions. Hence, managing natural disasters is critical not only for the country’s economy but also for the livelihoods of herder families.

In partnership with the Government of Luxembourg, UNDP supports capacity
building of the Government of Mongolia for effective disaster management. UNDP supported the establishment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in 2004 as the nodal institution to manage and coordinate all aspects of disaster management from disaster risk reduction to fire-fighting. UNDP continues to support institutional and human capacity development
of NEMA the central and local levels, provides technical assistance for planning disaster management including cross border threats such as Avian Influenza and mining related environmental disasters such as chemical spells and promotes partnership with key stakeholders to improve public education and awarenesss for disaster prevention.