Environmental problems in refugee-affected areas are often of such magnitude that no single organisation could hope to deal with these issues. UNHCR plays an important role in helping co-ordinate environmental support activities: these may range from environmental education at schools, to reforestation programmes in support of anti-erosion measures, and the introduction of fuel-efficient cooking stoves.

Recognising the importance of it's allies, UNHCR hosted a Partnership Workshop on Environmental Management of Refugee Operations in Geneva from 20-22 October 1997. The purpose of the workshop was to share experiences and lessons learned about environmental management of refugee operations. The workshop was attended by representatives from more than 50 organisations and included participants from international and local non-governmental organisations, international donors, staff from other UN agencies, and UNHCR field and headquarters staff. Through the workshop, UNHCR was able to strengthen co-operative operational links and re-inforce the messages of the importance and cost-effectiveness of sound environmental management of refugee operations.

UNHCR could not hope to meet its mandate if it worked alone. All aspects of its response and support programmes are implemented in close collaboration with national governments and a range of partner organisations which include other humanitarian agencies, international donor organisations, national government agencies and local and international non-governmental organisations. Environmental issues, which form just one part of UNHCR's response, are similarly co-ordinated within each country.

The prevention of unsustainable natural resource management practices is an important element in the development portfolio of the World Food Programme - one of UNHCR’s main partners, being responsible for obtaining and delivering basic food supplies to refugees. Environmental implications of food availability are many and varied. The type of food provided, for example, will also have an environmental impact - some foods require much more cooking than others, resulting in higher consumption of fuelwood.

Among the many organisations that regularly participate with UNHCR’s environmental work are:

The international movement of refugees and displaced people is a common concern of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR. An international symposium held jointly by IOM, UNHCR and the Refugee Policy Group in April 1996 resulted in an action framework to prevent and mitigate environmentally induced population displacement and to address the negative environmental consequences of mass migration.