The overall perspective. State of the environment: major global environmental issues; major environmental issues by region (Africa, Asia and the Pacific; Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, West Asia, the Polar areas). Policy responses: policy instruments and responses; assessments and effectiveness; implementation and compliance; barriers to implementation; global policy responses and regional synthesis; policy responses by region (Africa, Asia and the Pacific; Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, West Asia, the Polar areas). An environmental outlook: the importance of the future; priorities/action requirements for the 21st century; looking at the future through a scenario perspective; forward from GEO 2000; from talking to acting.