Many sub-national, national and international
instruments now in place are contributing to
environmental improvements. There is evidence,
however, of continuing deterioration in many places
and for most of the global environmental issues
reported on in GEO-5. For such issues as exposure
pathways and effects of chemicals, and the trends
in land degradation a better understanding would
support better responses. For others, such as
reducing particulate matter (PM) concentrations in
the atmosphere, more consistent implementation of
existing instruments is needed.