Environmental Governance Update april TO june 2022

Introduction

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Produced by the Law Division of UNEP, this newsletter highlights activities from April to June 2022, within the four work streams of environmental law and governance below:

From April to June 2022, the Law Division promoted sound environmental governance to strengthen the relationship between people and the environment. The promotion of environmental law and governance has been furthered through collaborating with UN entities, other groups, organizations and individuals in supporting strong laws and institutions for a healthy planet and people.

During the reporting period, the Law Division convened and supported events including the in-person (hybrid) segment of the First Global Meeting of National Focal Points for the Fifth Montevideo Programme, the Asia Regional Dialogue on Climate Justice for children, youth and future generations; and events and activities integrating faith-based perspectives at a global level. The Division also produced knowledge products including the Green Customs Guide to Multilateral Environmental Agreements publication, the Guidance on Policy and Legislation for Integrated Waste Management during a Pandemic, and Key Messages on Human Rights, the Environment and Gender Equality.

Other key moments included the organization of the 2022 Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards which publicly recognize and celebrate excellence in enforcement by government officials and institutions or teams combating transboundary environmental crime, and the co-organisation, with the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE), of the second annual 2022 Summer/Winter school on human rights and the environment which focused on the theme “Water - from oceans to taps”. Please read more below about the work ofthe Law Division at the local, regional and international levels.

ENVIRONMENTAL RULE OF LAW

Environmental laws and institutions strengthened to successfully implement environmental goals.

Commemoration of 50 years since first Conference on the Environment, held in Stockholm:

From 31 May to 1 June, in conjunction with the commemorative Stockholm+50 conference, UNEP and partners convened a Symposium on Judges and the Environment: on the topic "The Impact of the Stockholm Declaration in Shaping Global Environmental Law and Jurisprudence".
The Symposium addressed the following three main themes related to the role of the judiciary in the implementation of the Environmental Rule of Law: (1) the critical role judges play in incorporating environmental law, agreements, and declarations into national and subnational law, (2) strengthening judicial independence and integrity as absolute prerequisites of the Environmental Rule of Law, and (3) the challenges surrounding judicial education in the area of Environmental Law.

24 hours on Environmental Rule of Law event held to celebrate 40 Years of the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme

On 31 May, UNEP held a 24-hour event to celebrate environmental rule of law and to mark 40 years of the Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Environmental Law Programme).
The 24-hour event focused on the development of environmental law for the past 50 years and its contribution to addressing environmental challenges. The event provided an opportunity to discuss a more sustainable path for all of humanity and our #OneEarth. The closing part of the event took place in Montevideo, Uruguay, the birthplace of the Programme, with messages from Latin American and Caribbean youth.
The event was organized together with the Asian Institute for Environmental Law (ARIEL) and other partners, and it ran over 12 sessions following the time zones of the globe from the Pacific to South America. The event had over 900 registrations and 100 speakers, within a range of 80 to 140 participants per session. Read more.

Watch the sessions' recordings

Watch the 24-hour Environmental Rule of Law Celebration

National Focal Points for the Fifth Montevideo Environmental Law Programme conclude first global meeting

From 6 to 9 June, UNEP held the in-person (hybrid) segment of the First Global Meeting of National Focal Points under the Fifth Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Environmental Law Programmme) at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Programme which has been pivotal in the progressive development of environmental law.
The meeting highlighted the critical role of designated national focal points in identifying and providing guidance on the priority areas for the implementation of the Programme. The national focal points also discussed three thematic areas namely legal response to address the pollution crisis, the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis supplemented by cross-cutting activities.
The National Focal Points also discussed parameters for Programme partnerships across the United Nations and with other relevant entities in the field of environmental law. Taking this input into account, the Secretariat will now develop a strategy on partnerships for consideration by the Programme’s Steering Committee for Implementation at its next meeting, tentatively scheduled for October 2022.
The National Focal points also provided guidance on the proposed criteria for assessing requests for legal technical assistance under Montevideo Programme V through the UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform (UNEP-LEAP).
During the in-person (hybrid) segment of the First Global Meeting of National Focal Points under the Montevideo Programme V, UNEP moderated and participated in a side event on legal responses to the climate crisis and was joined by speakers from the Commonwealth Secretariat, Grantham Research Institute - London School of Economics, and Sabin Center for Climate Change Research. The side event showcased research and tools that are being developed to respond to the needs of countries to strengthen national legislation, mainstream climate change considerations and effectively integrate key governance functions that adequately reflect and respond to specific and evolving domestic contexts.

Read the Summary Report of the meeting

Exploring the influence of faith and traditional practices in environmental governance

During the Meeting of National Focal Points for Montevideo Environmental Law Programme V, UNEP Faith for Earth hosted Side Event 6 - a discussion to demonstrate “Action for Nature and Environmental Governance: Approaches by Faith-based Organizations, Indigenous and Local Communities”. The online seminar explored the influence of beliefs, values, culture, and traditional practices on environmental law, in advancing the environmental rule of law.

At the Side Event, the founder of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environment Sciences (IFEES) presented the Misali Islamic Environmental Ethics Project that carried out Islamic environmental workshops with local fishers to halt fishing using dynamite in Zanzibar to protect coral reefs and underwater ecosystems for the prosperity of livelihoods and ecosystem productivity. The work of the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI) in Colombia showed harmonious and effective collaboration between religious and indigenous leaders, policy makers, and scientists that capitalize on the power of values, ethics, and religion leading to robust action plans on the preservation of traditional values, practices, and livelihoods while respecting rainforest ecology. Moreover, Kabarak Law School launched a call for legal scholarly writing on faith and ecology, presenting the case of the Endorois Peoples in Kenya to show that African interreligious and traditional belief systems present the untapped opportunity to advance nature protection with effective civic education and public participation in legislative processes.

Faith-based Engagement at Stockholm+50

Faith leaders and faith-based organizations (FBOs) have remained focused on environmental protection to promote a harmonious relationship between people and the planet. Through advocating for the conservation of natural spaces in protecting forests, the faithful traditions of positive environmental action are prolonged. At Stockholm+50, faith actors organized side events and prayer for spiritual growth, which strengthened partnerships with stakeholder groups and contributed to the development paradigm. The faith-based side events ushered networking opportunities among participants and enthusiasts.
Furthermore, Faith-Based Organizations joined civil society in stressing the importance of integrating faith voices across all the Major Groups during the preparatory process for the conference. The organizations highlighted the need for greater religious literacy in influencing societies and their development during the Regional Multistakeholder Consultations. A values-based approach was also reiterated at the bilateral meetings between the Bishop of Stockholm and the Secretary General of the conference; and was reflected in the Stockholm+50 Recommendations.
Faith leaders and FBOs demonstrate a significant role in adopting an inclusive approach to environmental action. This view was presented in a panel discussion titled “Alternative Voices” where the Director of UNEP Faith for Earth, Iyad Abumoghli, presented a paper on Religion and the Environment as an alternative paradigm. The shared view included an interfaith statement with 236 endorsements by 145 organizations from 45 countries.

Read Religion and the Environment - A paper by Dr. Iyad Abumoghli

Back to Top

HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Access to information, justice and public participation to address environmental concerns improved

Steps made towards significant regional instrument in Southeast Asia on environmental rights: On 16 June, UNEP together with United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) supported the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to hold the Inception Workshop for a Regional Declaration on Environmental Rights in ASEAN. This workshop is a significant step towards the protection of environmental rights across the region and the meeting agreed to work towards a 2-year roadmap for the preparation of the regional instrument covering substantive and procedural environmental rights. More than 55 participants joined the meeting from ASEAN Member States, ASEAN working groups, UN Agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Academics. Read more.
Partnerships and collaborations are maintained towards protecting environmental defenders to promote environmental problem-solving: The 2nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Environmental Law Conference took place from 5 April to 7 April and was hosted by the Asian Research Institute for Environmental Law (ARIEL), with support from UNEP, Asian Development Bank (ADB), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Reducing Demand for Wildlife, College of Law (Australia), and EarthRights International. The conference brought together ASEAN and non-ASEAN experts to share success stories and challenges, to examine potential legal, policy, and community-based actions to transform principles of environmental law into practice and to foster networks and collaborative approaches to environmental problem-solving.
A special session on the role of UNEP’s Montevideo Programme V in advancing environmental rule of law globally and the launch of the Judicial Masterclass Programme were held during the conference. More than 66 countries were represented in the registrations with over 4,680 connections, as inspiring open talks from three outstanding female environmental champions kickstarted the conference. The most popular sessions attended by participants included "Defending the defenders," "Public Interest Environmental Litigation," "Environmental Crime: Transboundary Wildlife Crime," and "Compliance and enforcement of environmental laws". For a comprehensive list of sessions and speakers, please see this link.
The Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention operationalized its rapid response mechanism to address the situation of environmental defenders. On 23 June it elected the first Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders (World’s first Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders elected under the Aarhus Convention | UNECE). UNEP supported the process throughout its development and delivered a statement on the importance of linking the work under the new mechanism to the global work on defenders.
School for Human Rights and the Environment: The second annual UNEP and the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment School for Human Rights and the Environment was convened from 20 to 24 June under the theme “Water - from oceans to taps”. Featuring over 20 lectures and teaching sessions on various aspects of the interlinkages of water and human rights, the school engaged more than 100 students, experts, practitioners, and environmental defenders. The school also included a Work in Progress seminar to allow 6 students to present their post graduate research on human rights and the environment to a special guest commentator, Alfred Brownell, scholar, activist, and expert in environmental human rights. Read more.

Sixth Annual Workshop for Land and Environmental Defenders

Attendants of the sixth annual workshop for Land and Environmental Defenders

Together with OHCHR and the Centre for Justice, Governance and Environmental Action, UNEP convened the sixth annual workshop for land and environmental defenders from East Africa from 21 to 24 June. The annual workshop was held under the theme “Strengthening commitments to protect land, ocean and environmental human rights defenders”. The workshop gathered more than 45 members of the East African network of land and environmental defenders and included a dedicated day to discuss the topic of ocean plastics and UNEA resolution on ending plastic pollution. Participants also voted in a new Chairperson and Steering Committee for the network, and produced a series of commitments and actions to be implemented in the next year and before the convening of the next workshop. Actions on engagement in international proceedings, production of knowledge materials and resources, and strengthening the network and its functions were produced.

Cross-cutting efforts to address environmental concerns are furthered by the Escazú Agreement, the Asia Regional Dialogue on Climate Justice and related online forums:

Improving implementation of access to information, public participation, and access to justice ensure that informed decisions are made and that all sectors of society have a say in decisions that affect their health and environment, which can enhance effectiveness of efforts to tackle pollution and other forms of environmental degradation, preservation of natural resources, and climate resilience, while building trust with the public and decreasing environmental conflict. For instance, the Escazú Agreement includes provisions to address these needs, to engage the most vulnerable populations and communities, and to protect environmental defenders.
On 28-30 May, the Asia Regional Dialogue on Climate Justice for children, youth and future generations was held by UNEP together with UN Human Rights; United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF); and UN Development Programme (UNDP); with Child Rights Coalition, Asia; Save the Children; Terre des hommes, Germany; Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders (APNED)/Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC); UNEP Major Group on Children and Youth (UNEP MGCY); and Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP).

The dialogue was inspiring and insightful, as the children and youth led discussions on climate change justice as well as contributed thoughts on the challenges, opportunities and, importantly, solutions. The dialogue followed preparatory national consultations on climate justice for children and youth, completed in 12 countries across Asia in April. Summary documents of the 27 consultations can be found here.
The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Escazú Agreement took place in a hybrid format from 20 to 22 April at the Economic Commission Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC) Headquarters in Santiago, Chile. Articles 14, 15 and 18 of the Escazú Agreement were addressed alongside other relevant matters. During this three-day meeting, participating countries addressed the COP’s rules of procedure, including the modalities for significant participation by the public (article 15.4a of the Agreement); the financial provisions that are necessary for the functioning and implementation of the treaty (article 15.4b); the rules relating to the structure and functions of the Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance (article 18.1).
The Presiding Officers of the Escazú Agreement were also elected at the event as follows: Uruguay (Chair) Argentina and Saint Lucia (Vice-chairs), and Antigua and Barbuda and Mexico (members). To add, a high-level event on the celebration of the first anniversary since the entry into force and International Mother Earth Day, was held on 22 April.
The COP adopted a Political Declaration and six decisions, including Decision I/6 on human rights defenders in environmental matters. This decision reaffirms the critical importance of guaranteeing an enabling environment for the work of persons, associations, organizations or groups that promote environmental protection, by recognizing and protecting them, per article 4.6 of the Agreement. This decision also recalls article 15 of the Agreement, which states that the Conference of the Parties shall examine and promote the implementation and effectiveness of the Agreement and, shall examine and adopt the measures needed to achieve its goal.
The COP decided to establish an open-ended ad hoc working group on human rights defenders in environmental matters, to allow for meaningful public participation, especially by indigenous peoples and local communities, endeavoring to include persons or groups in vulnerable situations, the open-ended ad hoc working group will prepare an action plan to be presented at the second ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties for consideration and adoption. It was also agreed to hold an annual forum on human rights defenders in environmental matters with recognized specialists. A Special Session of the COP will be held in Argentina, in April 2023.
In collaboration with partners, UNEP convened two side events on the margins of the first Conference of the Parties to the Escazu Agreement. One event focused on building capacity for access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, co-organised by UNEP, the World Resources Institute, Open Government Partnership and The Access Initiative, with the co-operation of the United State Environmental Protection Agency.
A second side event focused on the topic “Synergies between the Escazú Agreement, Human Rights Law and the Convention on Biological Diversity”. The Escazu Agreement is interconnected with human rights law and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). All Latin American and Caribbean countries are parties of the CBD. The adoption of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Resolution 48/13 affirming that a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a basic human right, as well as the launch of the UN Secretary-General's Global Call to Action on Human Rights, has increase the awareness that human rights are central to social-ecological challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean, and beyond.
However, greater action, enhanced coordination, and the implementation of commitments are still needed to make the realization of the right to a healthy environment and access rights recognised in the Escazu agreement a reality for all. The objective of the event was to generate a dialogue exchange for Latin American and the Caribbean countries and other countries around the world to discuss priority needs, leverage points and innovations to implement the Escazu Agreement in synergy with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Lessons learned from other environmental democracy instruments such as the Aarhus Convention were explored. “The Escazú Agreement, Human Rights and Healthy Ecosystems” Dialogue Series proceedings report was also launched. The results of the side event will catalyse action by various groups to advance the realization of the right to a healthy environment building on lessons learned by distinct groups in overcoming bottlenecks and generating innovations to achieve the objectives of the Escazu Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The topic of environmental human rights defenders was also addressed during a judicial forum for North American judges and legal stakeholders convened on 22 April in New York. The Forum was co-sponsored by the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment; Global Environmental Rights Institute at Widener University; Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University; National Judicial College; New York State Judicial Institute; Dignity Rights International; and the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment.
On 12 April an expert seminar on “UN recognition of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment: past developments and future prospects” was organized by UNEP, the Universal Rights Group, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and environment, New York University, and others. The aim of the seminar was to encourage further discussions at UN headquarters about the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including its merits for people and planet, and to take forward the Council’s invitation that ‘the General Assembly (GA) [...] consider the matter.’ The expert seminar considered developments to-date, discussed key issues and questions (including legal questions) related to the right to a healthy environment (including those posed during negotiations over resolution 48/13), looked ahead to possible GA recognition and what it would mean, and reflected on the benefits of recognition for individual rights-holders around the world, including environmental human rights defenders, as well as for the natural environment. The event featured interactive roundtable discussions with interventions by UN senior officials, UN Special Rapporteurs, UN entities, academic experts, civil society leaders, business representatives, and environmental human rights defenders.
More than 35 participants, comprising of 22 judges and other legal stakeholders, exchanged views and explored issues and claims associated with a case study, including causes of action, jurisdiction, remedies, and threats against environmental human rights defenders, informed in part by the Global Judicial Manual on Environmental Rights and Defenders and corresponding Compendium, and supplemental material. The final materials – Global Judicial Manual and Compendium – will be made available on the UNEP website in due course.

The Implementation of the UN Joint Commitment on children and the right to a healthy environment

To implement the UN Joint Commitment to promote the right of children, youth and future generations to a healthy environment and their meaningful participation in decision at all levels, in relation to climate action and climate justice, UNEP launched online surveys (for adults and for children) as part of a consultative process that will inform and support the organization in establishing plans for implementing the Joint Commitment. Following the survey, UNEP is planning to convene two online consultative sessions in September 2022: one for children (between the ages of 13 and 17) and one for adults, including youth (above the age of 18).

Environmental rights agenda is promoted through multistakeholder events organized under the Geneva Environment Network

In the lead-up to the milestone gathering of world leaders at Stockholm+50 and on World Environment Day, the Roundtable on the right to a healthy environment organized by Switzerland and the Geneva Environment Network celebrated the historic decision by the Human Rights Council recognizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, and discussed the road to the UN General Assembly consideration of the issue later this year. Read more.
A session on Clean Energy with Clean Conscience: The Importance of Human Rights, Health and Well-Being When Transitioning to Clean Energy for Sustainable Development co-organized by OHCHR, WHO, ISHR, 2050Today, Franciscans International, and the Geneva Environment Network discussed the relationship between clean energy, health and the respect of human rights towards Sustainable Development. This event was part of the 23rd edition of the European Energy Transition Conference, taking place from 31 May to 2 June 2022. Read more.
Fulfilment of the right to education relating to the environment: To support and empower children and young people, UNEP produced an online course for children/young people on human rights and the environment that was launch on 12 July. Read more.
Development of UN policy/documents: UNEP is assisting the Committee on the Rights of the Child in the development of a general comment on child rights and the environment (to be finalized in 2023) aimed at a greater child environmental rights integration in the UN human rights system. Read more.

Back to Top

MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS: IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE

Knowledge sharing and inclusive capacity development enhanced the implementation of and compliance to multilateral environmental agreements

InforMEA launched an Introductory Course on SDG 14 and Ocean Governance

SDG 14, adopted as part of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aims to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” The goal provides a unifying framework for all the interventions needed to conserve and continue using the many resources the ocean provides. Across its 10 targets, SDG 14 tackles marine pollution, acidification, ecosystem management, fishing, livelihoods, protected areas, and other challenges.
This free and self-paced course outlines international environmental law’s contribution towards achieving SDG 14 by examining how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), undergirded by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), form the bedrock of international cooperation to protect and preserve the marine environment and conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity.

Access the course on InforMEA

An updated English version of the Green Customs Guide to MEAs was published in April 2022. The Guide provides information about and guidance for the implementation of trade-related multilateral environmental agreements and the Convention on Chemical Weapons, and describes the activities undertaken by the Green Customs Initiative (GCI) partners in green customs. In doing so, the Guide sensitizes customs and border control officers to the role they play in promoting sustainable trade and encourages them to adopt a more proactive attitude in protecting the environment.
The Guide reflects new developments that have taken place since the last edition (2018), such as the inclusion of a new chapter on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and the entry into force of the Ban and Plastic Wastes Amendments to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. The Guide also considers the gender perspective of the daily work of customs and border control officers. The English version of the Guide was developed through a collaborative effort amongst all the GCI partners. French and Spanish versions were made available in June. Read more.

In realizing the significant role of youth in decision-making on biodiversity-related issues, the ACP MEAs 3 programme through the Caribbean hub organized a video competition for youth involved in environmental and biodiversity-related activities under the theme and topic: “Building a shared future for all life”; and national and regional youth priorities for the Global Biodiversity Framework. An inspiring youth Ms. Lyn-Marie Lynton from Barbados was selected as a winner.

The ACP MEAs 3 programme also held regional preparatory briefing sessions to support national focal points and delegates in Asia, Caribbean and Africa regions to prepare for the CBD OWG 4 meeting. In addition, a briefing meeting was held in the Caribbean region on issues related to Digital Sequence Information (DSI). Through these sessions, more than 300 participants in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean regions acquired skills and information essential for negotiating the post 2020 global biodiversity framework.
Bringing an integrated, cross-sectoral and synergetic approach in the implementation of MEAs is a core pursuit of the ACP MEAs programme. As such, the programme participated in the 22nd global meeting of the Regional Seas Programme held in Mahe, Seychelles and provided support for synergies in the implementation of the Regional Sea Programmes and related MEAs.

Read more about the Twenty-Second Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Programme

Contribution of Species Conservation to the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

The Law Division, through the African Elephant Fund (AEF) Secretariat, organized an exhibit that run from 21 to 26 June 2022 during the Fourth Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The purpose of the exhibit was to showcase how the work undertaken by the AEF, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) supports and contributes to the achievement of several of the targets outlined in the first draft of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework

Judicial colloquium “Adjudication of cases related to climate change and air quality”

A colloquium for senior judiciary from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region was organized jointly by UNEP and UNECE in partnership with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment and the World Commission on Environmental Law. The colloquium brought together over 40 senior judges from 24 countries of the region as well as international tribunals and had provided an opportunity to take stock of progress and challenges, exchange views on the effective handling of cases related to climate change and air quality, and strengthen judicial cooperation.

Read the Chair summary of the event in the UNECE Aarhus Convention Task Force on Access to Justice

Back to Top

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

Tools within existing systems and processes to strengthen individuals and institutions are used for efficient environmental governance

The 2022 edition of the Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards has launched. The Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards officially recognize and celebrate excellence in enforcement by government officials and institutions or teams combating transboundary environmental crime. Nominations for the 2022 Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards closed on June 30, 2022.
The Guidance on Policy and Legislation for Integrated Waste Management during a Pandemic was launched in April 2022, building on the UNEP 2016 Guidelines for Framework Legislation for Integrated Waste Management. The Guidance reviews national measures adopted during the pandemic and sets out a checklist of measures to support countries in their efforts to develop or revise their policies and legislation to be better prepared for and respond better to health and environment risks associated with waste management in case of a future pandemic. The Guidance was presented at the side event titled “Focus on legal responses to waste pollution” on 7 June 2022, during the in-person (hybrid) segment of the First Global Meeting of National Focal Points under the Montevideo Programme V (Nairobi, 6-9 June 2022).
The first session of the side event had a particular focus on the Law and Climate Change Toolkit, a jointly developed website to help countries strengthen legal frameworks for the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and their nationally determined contributions. The side event further examined how oversight and accountability mechanisms can be designed into legislation from the outset, helping to ensure the effective implementation of legislation and policy over time. The side event concluded by considering the role of climate litigation in strengthening climate change-related laws at the national level. The event was attended by approximately 73 participants both online and in-person.

Judges attend the workshop on environment law in Papua New Guinea. Source: Loop.png

In May, UNEP, in partnership with IUCN Oceania and UN Human Rights Pacific Office built the capacity of over 60 judges including the Chief Justice of Fiji, Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea, Chief Justice of Vanuatu and Chief Justice of Tonga. This was the first training provided on environmental law for judges from Papua New Guinea on international, regional and national legal frameworks and principles of environment and climate law. There are now 42 judges in Papua New Guinea who have greater capacity to adjudicate environmental cases. Read more.

System-wide socioeconomic transformation promoted by PAGE and Poverty-Environment Action at Stockholm+50

Linear and fossil-based economic and finance models of the past are no longer an option in a world of increasing planetary crisis, climate risks, growing socioeconomic uncertainties, inequalities and poverty.
Our responsibility, our opportunity: Revisiting Economics & Finance to Accelerate Action for People & Planet, the PAGE high-level event at Stockholm+50, revisited economics and finance to identify solutions for accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The high-level speakers from Government, Development agencies, UN system and civil society exchanged views, proposing ways that financial and political institutions can fast-track the transition towards an Inclusive Green Economic transformation. The high-level discussion moderated by Alan Atkisson, Assistant Director-General, Partnership & Innovation, Sida, Sweden, also engaged with the audience on the opportunities and challenges of our time, with remarks from Ministers of Mozambique and Jordan, among others, and contributions from civil society including the Green Economy Coalition.
Minister of Land and Environment of Mozambique, Ms. Ivete Maibaze, highlighted the role of the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL), hosted by the United Nations Capital Development Fund, in increasing financing for and investment in climate change adaptation at the local level in Least Developed Countries.

Minister of Land and Environment of Mozambique, H.E. Ms. Ivete Maibaze (right), PAGE Official Side Event at Stockholm+50 (2 June 2022) (Photo by Michael Stanley-Jones, UNDP–UNEP Poverty-Environment Action)

“The Government of Mozambique believes that this system will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by linking up to the priorities of the NDCs [Nationally Determined Contributions] as well as other international targets,” Minister Maibaze said.

At the side-event, the PAGE community welcomed Cambodia and Rwanda as the newest members of the Partnership. PAGE currently supports 22 countries in their efforts towards Inclusive Green Economic Transformation in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Mozambique is implementing LoCAL with support from Sweden and Switzerland and the European Union. Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals is supported by Austria, Belgium and Sweden and the European Union.

The Environment Management Group at Stockholm+50

The Environment Management Group (EMG) Roundtable Accelerating Integrated Action for a Healthy Planet and Prosperity for All was held in Stockholm on 2 June 2022. Two panels comprised of 16 UN agency and MEA heads and deputies discussed what the UN system can do to accelerate integrated action for the environment and how UN agencies can respond to and help implement MEAs on the ground. A summary of the Roundtable by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin can be found here.

Family photo for Accelerating Integrated Action for a Healthy Planet and Prosperity of all. Source: IISD.

Two reports namely, The Impact of the Stockholm Conference on the UN System: Reflections of 50 Years of Environmental Action and Delivering on the vision of the 1972 Stockholm Declaration and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development were submitted as a UN system contribution to the Stockholm+50 conference. The reports summarize reflections by Heads of Agencies and experts in the UN system on achievements and challenges encountered in addressing the environmental agenda since the 1972 Stockholm Conference, as well as aspirations and commitments towards accelerating mandates and actions to address the planetary crises.
Together with UNEP’s Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Team, the EMG organized a Nexus Dialogue on “Investing in Natural Infrastructure” on 7 June 2022. Six experts across and beyond the UN system discussed how natural infrastructure can deliver on the SDGs while stimulating economies and building the resilience of infrastructure systems in the COVID-19 recovery context. A recording of the Dialogue can be found here.
Members of the Environment Management Group met on 18 May 2022, to consider progress made in interagency collaboration on the environment and discuss possible new issues on the EMG agenda in 2023. 45 UN entities agreed to present two new topics for UN system collaboration in 2023, for the consideration of the EMG Senior Officials at their next meeting in November: Environmental data and statistics for the SDGs and Strengthening UN System-wide Support to RCOs/UNCTs for Triple Planetary Crisis Responses.

Environmental law, governance and related policy issues stay ingrained in the progressive, cross cutting, innovativeness and inclusive work of the Law Division in leading the international community towards sound environmental law and governance for a healthy planet and people. We encourage you to stay tuned to our work by visiting our dedicated environmental rights and governance webpages on the UNEP website.

Thank you for your time!

Back to Top

Contact information: alvin.gachie[at]un.org / stephen.tengo[at]un.org

Visit the environmental rights and governance webpages

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Environment Programme. We regret any errors or omissions that may have been unwittingly made.

Created By

UNEP Law Division

Appreciate

Credits:

From top to bottom: Robert Nordahl/Unsplash; Jakob Owens/Unsplash; Quang Nguyen Vinh/Pexels; Deon De Villiers/Unsplash; James Eades/Unsplash; Andrea Vera Sasso/Pexels.