UN environment chief Erik Solheim resigned after a UN audit exposed huge travel expenses at a time when the United Nations is struggling with shrinking budgets (AFP Photo/Fabrice COFFRINI)

United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN environment chief Erik Solheim resigned on Tuesday after an audit questioning his huge travel expenses triggered an outcry, UN officials said. Solheim, a former Norwegian environment minister, said in a statement that he had decided to resign as executive director of the Nairobi-based U.N. Solheim resigned his position at UNEP, following an internal audit report that said he had had gobbled up $500,000 in unnecessary and budgeted travel expenses in just 22 months. Dujarric described Solheim as having been "a leading voice in drawing the world's attention to critical environmental challenges, including plastics pollution and circularity; climate action; the rights of environmental defenders; biodiversity; and environmental security."
Erik Solheim resigns as head of the United Nations Environment Programme over allegations of expenses abuse and a lack of accountability.