About the Course Partners
This course was developed by the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with support from the European Commission. It is hosted by the SDG Academy.
PEDRR
The Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) is the clearinghouse for knowledge, training, advocacy and practice on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR). Eco-DRR is the sustainable management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems to reduce disaster risk, with the aim to achieve sustainable and resilient development. Well-managed ecosystems, such as wetlands, forests and coastal systems, act as natural infrastructure, reducing physical exposure to many hazards and increasing socio-economic resilience of people and communities by sustaining local livelihoods and providing essential natural resources such as food, water and building materials.
Formally established in 2008, PEDRR is a global alliance of UN agencies, NGOs and specialist institutes. As a global thematic platform of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), PEDRR seeks to promote and scale-up implementation of Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) where partners implement collectively planned initiatives and activities. PEDRR is more than a knowledge exchange network. It is a global advocate for increasing investments in ecosystem-based approaches to reducing disaster- and climate risks. The PEDRR Secretariat is hosted at the Disasters and Conflicts Programme, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva, Switzerland and is responsible for PEDRR’s social media, website, weekly newsletter, and other communication assignments.
UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
European Commission
The European Commission is the European Union’s (EU) politically independent executive arm. It is alone responsible for drawing up proposals for new European legislation, and it implements the decisions of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
The SDG Academy
The SDG Academy creates free high-quality open education resources for sustainable development. Its massive open online courses and video resources feature the world’s foremost experts in topics such as health, education, climate change, agriculture, and human rights — equipping the next generation of sustainable development practitioners to take on the complex challenges facing our planet.