Environmental problems cut across a range of policy issues and are mostly rooted in inappropriate development patterns. Consequently, environmental issues, goals and actions cannot be framed in isolation from the development and policy sectors in which they emanate. Against this background, and in the light of the General Assembly Resolution 38/161, this document reflects an intergovernmental consensus on growing environmental challenges to the year 2000 and beyond. in respect of six main sectors. In addition, the document discusses briefly other issues of global concern which do not fit easily under the sectoral headings; and considers instruments for environmental action, including the role of institutions for dealing with environmental issues.