The objective of this module is to introduce the integrated environmental assessment (IEA) and reporting approach based on the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) Process of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).You will learn why the IEA approach is an effective way of developing policy relevant recommendations about the state of the environment and its interaction with human development. We begin with a short description of UNEP, its mandate from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for keeping the global environment under review, and how the GEO process fulfills this mandate. The goal of the GEO process is to ensure that environmental problems and emerging issues of wide international significance receive appropriate, adequate and timely consideration by governments and other stakeholders. As part of the GEO initiative, UNEP is involved in capacity building to help people learn how to carry out integrated environmental assessments at the regional, sub-regional and also national levels.