The Environment Directorate helps countries design and implement effective policies to address environmental problems and sustainably manage natural resources. It examines the linkages between the environment and economic, sectoral or social concerns in areas such as green growth, climate change, biodiversity, water, waste and the circular economy, the ocean, resource efficiency, environmental taxes, genetically modified crop safety, agriculture, transport, trade, investment and development.

Two Commitees oversee and implement the OECD’s Environment Programme. 

The Environment Policy Committee (EPOC) oversees and implements the OECD’s Environment Programme, supported by its ten subsidiary bodies. EPOC reports to the OECD Council. Established in 1971, EPOC consists of senior-level delegates from capitals and meets three times every two years. The Committee holds meetings at the Ministerial level approximately every four to five years.

EPOC oversees work on: country reviews, indicators and outlooks, climate change, natural resource management, policy tools and evaluation, environment and development, and resource efficiency and waste, supported by EPOC’s seven Working Parties. EPOC also formally co-operates with other OECD Committees, including through Joint Working Parties on Trade and Environment and on Agriculture and Environment, as well as Joint Meetings of Experts on Tax and Environment. The committee also works with other OECD committees to ensure consistency of the messages as they pertain to environment as well as ensuring horizontal links with other work in the OECD.

The Chemicals Committee, like EPOC, reports directly to the OECD Council. EPOC’s Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology and the Chemicals Committee together form the Joint Meeting which oversees the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Programme.