United Nations University (UNU)—The United Nations University: Research and Policy Support for Environmental Risk Reduction

Abstract

The United Nations University (UNU) was established in 1973 in Tokyo, Japan, as the academic arm of the United Nations. In its role as a think tank for the UN system it engages in policy-relevant research to generate science-based knowledge and solutions to urgent global challenges across a variety of comprehensive themes. UNU's research focuses on three broad thematic clusters: Peace and Governance, Global Development and Inclusion as well as Environment, Climate and Energy. In addition, research is complemented by important themes in science, technology and innovation. Research is carried out by a global network of institutes and programmes (see Fig. 1), each with a specific thematic focus. This paper provides an overview of United Nations University, with particular attention to one of its institutes, namely the Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) in Bonn, Germany.