UNEP/GRID - Home Page

United Nations Environment Programme, Global Resource Information Database / UNEP, GRID

Headquarters - Nairobi, Kenya

GRID Summary

The Global Resource Information Database (GRID) is a system of cooperating Centres within the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that is dedicated to making environmental information more readily accessible to environmental analysts as well as international and national decision makers. Its mission is to provide timely and reliable georeferenced environmental information and access to a unique international data service to help address environmental issues at global, regional and national levels.

To achieve this mission, GRID deals in three main areas: environmental data management (collating, georeferencing, archiving and disseminating information), decision support applications (GIS projects), and support to regional extension and training in GIS technology.

One of GRID's long term goals is the establishment of a world-wide open network of cooperating centres. The centres, though individually managed and funded, share the same general functions, although by virtue of its geographic location, each centre holds data and operates within its distinct area. In addition, each centre has specific research, development and technological pursuits. Ultimately, it is anticipated that every country in the world will have access to GRID data management technology and functioning GRID-compatible monitoring and assessment centres for national environmental assessment and management. In this way GRID aims to bridge the gap between scientific understanding of earth processes and sound management of the environment.

GRID Locations

GRID-Nairobi (kenya)
UNEP
Box 30552
Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254 2 230800 x 4185
Fax: +254 2 226491
Telex: 22068 UNEP-KE
e-mail: hcroze@nasamail.nasa.gov
Additional GRID Cooperating Centres are located in Geneva, Arendal, Sioux Falls, Bangkok, Tsukuba, Kathmandu, Warsaw, with proposed centres in Moscow, Suva, Sao Jose dos Campos, and Canada.

GRID Datasets/Resources

GRID GIS experts are working closely with the relevant offices from most of UNEP's concentration areas, including climate, ozone depletion, oceans and coastal areas, desertification, soil/land degredation, freshwater resources and biodiversity, along with other UN and intergovernmental agencies to make available timely and reliable data originating from these different sectors. The data can then be integrated into different forms and disseminated through GRID to those dealing with environmental issues at the global, regional or national levels.

Many of GRID's datasets possess some geographic component. A wealth of digital cartographic and geographic information system (GIS) coverages can be obtained from several of the cooperating GRID Centres; and, although each centre may have a distinct area of interest each engage in a variety of activities and disseminate a variety of datasets (click here for table). Sioux Falls has made available an on-line catalog of datasets held in GRID.

GRID also publishes a quarterly entitled, GRID News. To obtain a copy or be put on a mailing list, write to: 

GRID News
PO Box 30552
Nairobi
Kenya

Additional data sets may be located through CIESIN's Gateway.

Related Organizations

GRID is one of several organizations within the United Nations Environment Programme. As such, GRID works closely with other UNEP organizations such as: Terrestial Ecosystem Branch (TEB); Desertification Control Programme Activity Centre (DC/PAC); Ozone Secretariat; International Environmental Information System (Infoterra); and, in particular, Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS). GRID also works closely with other UN and intergovernmental agencies, global science and research bodies, universities, and government ministries.

GRID Contacts