On November 20, 2018, UN Environment chief Erik Solheim announced that he was resigning after an internal audit questioned the scale and cost of his travel. The review, carried out by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services, said his trips had cost the agency almost $500,000 (Sh50,000,000) in 22 months.
The audit also said Solheim was away from the office 80 per cent of the time, a pattern it described as a reputational risk for the agency. The findings also angered some countries, which reportedly withheld millions of dollars in funding.
In his statement, Solheim said he had always acted in what he believed was the best interest of UN Environment and its mission. He said he had decided to step down with effect from November 22 after deep reflection and in close consultation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“It is my most sincere hope that this proves to be in the best interest of UN Environment and the wider UN. Despite the challenges this moment brings, I also hope each of you will take pride in what we have achieved together,” Solheim said.
“With a heavy heart, I informed the Secretary General of my decision. He indicated that he will be shortly appointing an officer in charge of the organisation,” he added.
Solheim had led the agency for two and a half years. During that period, he pointed to a number of environmental milestones, including India’s decision to phase out single-use plastics, an agreement signed by 12 countries on environmental rights in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the ratification of the Kigali Amendment by several countries.
The Kigali Amendment is aimed at a global phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, which are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment. Solheim said he had wanted UN Environment to become a lead agency for reform, even if that approach raised questions.
He added that he would remain a committed friend of UN Environment and his former colleagues at the agency after leaving office.
