The most serious environmental dangers involve global warming (causing increased rainfall and flood risks) ozone depletion, pollution of seas and oceans, extinction of species, diminishing potable water resources and land erosion.

As the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global level, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) was requested by the Government of the People's Republic of China to lend assistance in the aftermath of the disaster. UNEP immediately engaged in the post-disaster recovery effort, including by coordinating the environmental response to the earthquake through its office in Beijing, which was supported by international experts and technical staff from across the organization. This publication outlines the key achievements of UNEP's engagement in the country from 2008 to 2010, which focused primarily on providing high-level expertise and capacity development for the management of the environmental impacts of the disaster.