Centrum UNEP/GRID-Warszawa is a Warsaw-based centre affiliated with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), established to carry out UNEP’s mission in Poland and support partners working toward sustainable development.15 It was established on 17 September 1991 under an agreement between UNEP and the Polish government, and is one of the centres in UNEP’s global GRID network.53
The centre works with environmental information: collecting, processing and sharing data, and promoting the use of geographic information systems and other information technologies.113 Its work spans environmental data and geoinformation, climate, biodiversity, water, energy, transport, spatial planning and other fields.4 Projects range from cooperation with cities and local governments to education, citizen science, nationwide public campaigns and work with businesses.4
One example of its business-facing work is the Climate Leadership programme, which supports companies’ efforts toward climate neutrality.12 The centre’s broader portfolio also includes international research: ECO-ARISE examines links between environmental change, infrastructure and population mobility in selected regions of East Africa.12 Maria Andrzejewska is the centre’s general director.2 Its stated remit is to implement UNEP’s mission in Poland, while its participation in the global GRID network connects its work to an international environmental-information framework.13