United Nations environment chief Erik Solheim resigned amid widespread criticism over his excessive global travel and reports of internal rule breaking.

The Guardian newspaper reports that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres himself intervened after several countries threatened to withhold tens of millions of dollars of funding, which would have caused a financial crisis at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

A leaked internal audit showed that Mr. Solheim rang up nearly US$500,000 in airfare and hotel bills during 22 months, travelling for 529 out of 668 days.  He was away from the office nearly 80 percent of the time.  Much of this was approved by a member of his office who reported directly to him, which is in violation of UN rules.  And while Solheim said he has since repaid the travel bills, a prominent climate scientist accused Solheim of "obscene CO2 hypocrisy".

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Secretary-General has accepted Solheim's resignation.

"The secretary-general is grateful for Mr. Solheim's service and recognizes he's been a leading voice in bringing the world's attention to critical environmental challenges," Dujarric said.  "He has led advocacy at the highest levels of government, business and civil society to drive the transformational change needed to make a real difference in the lives of people and promote the cause of environment."