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. From July to September, the Law Division successfully promoted environmental law and governance by being innovative, collaborative and pioneering in its activities.
This edition of the newsletter strongly highlights the synergy between UNEP and other United Nations Agencies, institutions and individuals, in action for people and the planet. The Division held interactive dialogues and trainings. The Division published information and knowledge products involving various actors at the local, regional and international levels. Read more below for information on the Division's key outcomes, including how the Division seeks to promote inclusivity, gender equality and fairness.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cities called to strengthen environmental rule of law action on climate change
On 8 July 2022, UNEP called on cities to strengthen environmental rule of law action on climate change, at the 9th Urban Law Day, hosted jointly by UN-Habitat and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (University of London). The event focused on the relationships between urban planning, climate change and legislative development. Participants explored how urban areas can contribute to action on climate change through climate-smart urban planning. UNEP presented the Law and Climate Change Toolkit, a global, online resource to assist countries in strengthening their legislative frameworks to successfully implement the Paris Agreement and nationally determined contributions. The Toolkit features a module dedicated to assessing and strengthening urban planning legislation. The module has been successfully used in the past by several national and sub-national authorities to strengthen legislative frameworks to develop climate-friendly urban areas.
Guide on Environmental Courts and Tribunals published for policymakers, judges, and academics published
In July 2022, UNEP published a guide to improve the adjudication of environmental disputes. The Environmental Courts and Tribunals – 2021: A Guide for Policy Makers provides an overview identifies important features of environmental courts and tribunals and describes good practices. It also provides roadmaps for institution-building to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The guide promotes efforts to achieve SDG 16 on “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”, which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. The guide was formally launched in September 2022, and can be accessed here.
- International Conference on Cohesive Societies reflects on faith and environment: From 6 to 8 September, an interfaith and multicultural dialogue was held to examine and reflect on the multiple identities, spiritual visions, and connections among communities. The Second International Conference on Cohesive Societies, held in Singapore under the patronage of the President of Singapore, H.E. Mrs. Halimah Yacob, and other dignitaries, focused on faith, identity, and cohesion. Attention was drawn to the role of religious actors in environmental governance, and the role of ethics, and values in driving behavioural change towards the environment. The need for multilateralism and interfaith collaboration on environmental issues was the contribution of the Faith for Earth Initiative. Issues discussed included how faith can bridge divides, and how technology can be leveraged to foster mutual trust. Hundreds of in-person attendees, representing 40 countries, as well as online participants from across the globe attended the conference. Read more.
- Faith communities strengthen stewardship commitments as part of UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: Faith communities are progressing in their stewardship commitments by conserving natural resources, including animals, rivers, plants. From monasteries in Tibet monitoring snow leopards to dry forest restoration in Peru, faith-based organisations are protecting biodiversity and creating resilience to climate change within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration actions. In this context, on 8 September 2022, UNEP Faith for Earth and the Center for Earth Ethics organized an online seminar titled “Consultation on Species”, as part of the series of Values, Culture, and Spirituality to exchange knowledge and experiences about the role of indigenous peoples, faith, and species conservation. This event focused on the role of the Bagobo Tagabwa Community in the Philippines as ancestral protectors of this eagle, based on a deep commitment to taking care of nature within its territory.
Environmental action advanced through legal tools, partnerships, and faith-based values
- UNEP hosted a workshop on “Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution: Legal Tools to Address the Crisis” on 16 September 2022 in the Latin American and Caribbean Region. The workshop focused on action on the global marine litter and plastic pollution problem, to take forward conversations from an eight-part series of webinars hosted from August to December 2021. Participants built on findings of a 2022 UNEP Report on Policies, Regulations and Strategies in Latin America and the Caribbean to Prevent Marine Litter and Plastic Waste. Multiple speakers and interactive working group dialogues identified and analyzed trends, and gaps in the effective regulation of marine litter and plastic pollution. Various coalitions, committees and regional networks involved in the chemicals and wastes, marine litter, environment, and sustainability areas were represented.
- By 2050, seventy per cent of the world’s population be living in urban areas. People living in cities face biodiversity, pollution, and climate change issues because there are no or insufficient vital green spaces. UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative emphasized the role of faith-based organizations and local communities in ecosystem restoration actions, at a “Consultation on Cities” webinar, held in partnership with the Center for Earth Ethics. The webinar was part of a series on “Values, Culture, and Spirituality”. Other partners including Brain Youth Group, WEA Sustainability Center, and Duke Divinity School discussed how historical changes in green spaces impacted urbanization in Mombasa, Kenya. Participants showcased projects implemented by local NGOs involving the community as custodians.
- The Law Division called for strengthened legal measures to tackle waste trafficking, in a regional dissemination workshop held in Bucharest, Romania, from 27 to 29 September 2022. The Division showcased the Guidance on Policy and Legislation for Integrated Waste Management during a Pandemic, and facilitated group discussions during the workshop. The workshop also served to identify countries that are interested in technical legal assistance on waste trafficking. This workshop followed the Division’s contribution to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) legislative guide on combatting waste trafficking published in June 2022. This initiative was part of a series of activities at the regional and national levels to promote the use of the guide by interested countries. Women comprised more than half of the 44 participants, from Eastern European countries and intergovernmental organizations.
- Right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment takes its place at General Assembly level: On 28 July 2022, the United Nations General Assembly passed the historic resolution 76/300, recognizing the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as an independent human right. The resolution was decades in the making: from a foothold in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, the right has been integrated into over 156 constitutions, national laws and regional agreements to date, and was recognised by the UN Human Rights Council in October 2021. To make the right a reality for all, UNEP’s Law Division is working with States and other stakeholders to develop strategies and tools for implementation of the right to address the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
- Right to a healthy environment harnessed as a tool for action on the triple planetary crisis in the UN system: In July and September 2022, the Law Division led discussions on the right to a healthy environment in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Three ‘deep-dive’ webinars were delivered to UN entities around the world, to coordinate the integration of a human rights-based approach to the UN system's work. The webinars were convened for the Issues Management Group (IMG) on Human Rights and the Environment, which is co-chaired by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR/UN Human Rights) and the United Nations Development Programme.
- Interreligious dialogue held on law and faith-based environmental protection in Africa: Sacred scriptures of religions address the human relationship and responsibility to nature. For centuries, traditional knowledge has shaped people's behavior. On 21 July 2022, the Faith for Earth Initiative and Kabarak University in Kenya, brought faith actors, scholars, and members of the public together to a roundtable on Faith and Environment: An Interreligious Dialogue on the Law and Praxis of Faith-based Environmental Protection in Africa, to discuss the interconnection between faith, environmental governance, and educational institutions. The Faith for Earth Initiative highlighted that university research is essential to strengthening environmental governance.
- Graphic novella on environmental human rights defenders published: In August 2022, UNEP produced a graphic novella, The Keepers, which tells the story of an indigenous forest defender from the Sengwer community in Kenya. It is the first in a six-part series titled Earth Defenders - A Graphic Novella. The series delivers vignettes inspired by the experience of environmental defenders, who act to defend forests, waters, lands and clean air, across the globe. The forthcoming five graphic novellas will feature defenders from Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Arctic. The series is developed by the Law Division in collaboration with the City University of New York School of Law’s Center for Urban Environmental Reform.
EVENTS
- The Triple Planetary Crisis: Breaking Silos | INTECOL & Alternatiba 2022 - 31 August: A session on “Frontiers in Ecology: Science and Society” held from 28 August to 2 September, focused on the opportunities to tackle the triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss. The event was held in the margins of the 2022 International Congress of Ecology (INTECOL) and organized under the Geneva Environment Network. Speakers included the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment who spoke about the significance of the recognition of the right to a healthy environment. A representative of EarthJustice addressed practical steps in using human rights-based approach. UNEP presented key issues in the sound management of chemicals and waste and pollution prevention. A representative of UN Climate (UNFCCC) addressed global and other governance processes in tackling climate change. A representative of the IUCN discussed leveraging nature and the role of nature -based solutions in achieving SDGs.
- Human Rights and the Environment: Meeting on Activities Related to 51st Session of the Human Rights Council - 6 September: The Geneva Environment Network and partners convened an information-sharing session on activities and events related to the environment, ahead of the 51st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC51), held in Geneva and online from 12 September to 7 October 2022. Participants at the session called for more cooperation among stakeholders and improved outreach on environment in the human rights space.
- HRC51 Side Event | Mercury, Small-Scale Gold Mining and Human Rights - 21 September: The Side Event to the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council discussed the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights on the use of mercury in small-scale gold mining and its impact on human rights. The event was organized by the Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, and co-sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Positive Education Network (IPEN), and the Geneva Environment Network.
- The Right Not to be Exposed, a Contribution to a Toxic Free Planet | 25 Years of Struggle to be Free from Toxic Threat | Geneva Toxic Free Talks - 21 September
- Getting Rid of Toxics: The Nonpolluting Alternatives | Repairing Toxic Damages | Geneva Toxic Free Talks - 22 September
- Rights Holders Facing Toxic Threats | 25 Years of Struggle to be Free from Toxic Threat | Geneva Toxic Free Talks - 21 September
- The Challenge of Warfare and War Zones’ Toxicity | Repairing Toxic Damages | Geneva Toxic Free Talks - 22 September
Looking forward on Human Rights and the Environment
- Protecting the Frontline: Good Practices to Support Environmental Human Rights Defenders set for release: In September 2022, the Law Division, in collaboration with the Universal Rights Group, produced an advance Executive Summary of a forthcoming report, “Protecting the Frontline: Good Practices to Support Environment Human Rights Defenders”. The advance Executive Summary emphasises the important work of environmental human rights defenders and the risks and real and significant threats that they, their families, and their communities face. To support the work of environmental human rights defenders, stakeholders (such as civil society, multilateral organizations, and governments) have established initiatives to support environmental human rights defenders, their families, and their communities. These initiatives aim to prevent, respond to, and overcome the threats and obstacles environmental human rights defenders face. The forthcoming report illustrates various initiatives and good practices implemented around the world to support and promote the work of environmental human rights defenders. Read the advance Executive Summary here.
Role of Parliaments in facilitating a green COVID-19 recovery strengthened for chemicals and waste management
UNEP and the Inter-Parliamentary Union joint guidance on legislative approaches for a green COVID-19 recovery was the focus of a capacity building workshop on 22 September 2022 in Cotonou, organized with the National Assembly of Benin. Participants discussed how to support national implementation of chemicals and waste management Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) through strengthening related policy, institutional and legislative frameworks. This was part of UNEP-Inter-Parliamentary Union efforts to promote effective legislation for a green and sustainable development, and organized. Over 50 parliamentary members and staff attended the workshop, and broadly addressed the role of Parliaments in facilitating a green COVID-19 recovery, with a specific focus on chemicals and waste management. Specifically, the workshop highlighted chemicals and waste management challenges in Africa and outlined relevant regional processes such as the Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). In the sidelines of the event, UNEP’s representative engaged with the United Nations Resident Coordinator on how to enhance engagement on implementation of the environmental pillar of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework within Benin.
DaRT’s “Strong Suit” unveiled in Libreville Gabon prior to Global Biodiversity Framework adoption
- The African Group of Negotiators met in Libreville in preparation for the December biodiversity conference. The Libreville meeting convened by the African Union and the Government of Gabon from 1 – 4 September 2022 significantly contributed to bridging the knowledge gap on the utility of the UNEP Data Reporting Tool (DaRT). The Group met to prepare a common position ahead of the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to be held in Montreal, where Parties are set to discuss and adopt the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
- DaRT is now viewed as “a square peg in a square hole” for the reporting needs of the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The African Group of Negotiators is progressively settling on the need to reduce the reporting burden on Parties to the biodiversity Convention, by using DaRT to report on progress in implementing environmental conventions at the national level.
- Building on the outcomes of the fourth meeting of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG-4) on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the UNEP-DaRT team worked to include DaRT in the Africa Position Statement on the Framework. These efforts seek to lay the groundwork for further negotiation and fine-tuning during the fifth meeting of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG-5) and eventually at COP-15 in Montreal. DaRT’s strong suite was unveiled during the deliberations in plenary.
- DaRT use has gained momentum built over time. The Bern II Meetings, a series of webinars and side events organized over the years have contributed to setting the stage for what seemed to be a turning point of interest in the use of DaRT by African Parties. Participants shared the view that Africa is ready for the inclusion of DaRT in the texts of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The African Group of Negotiators indicated its readiness for negotiations at OEWG-5 and COP-15 with strong political backing from the Ministers of the Environment and their respective governments.
Key outcomes of the Libreville meeting are:
- Inclusion of text on DaRT in the Africa Position Statements for COP-15.
- Proposal of text for inclusion in the Steering Committee Document of CITES for COP-19. [See CoP19 Doc. 17.1 Annex 2]
- Increased awareness on the usefulness of DaRT for reporting, especially on mapping targets of respective MEAs, SDGs and other processes and for synergy, cooperation and collaboration amongst Focal Points and all stakeholders at the national level.
- Softening of grounds for further negotiation at OEWG-5 and COP-15 as well as CITES COP-19.
InforMEA launched thematic courses and upgraded introductory courses in collaboration with partners
Launched in August, the Mercury and Gender course provides an understanding of the health effects of mercury exposure in women and children. Highlighting the main sources of mercury exposure and explaining the gender aspects of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, this free and self-paced course guides learners through the major time trends on human contamination, the main sources and risks of mercury exposure, the relevant provisions of the Minamata Convention, and more.
Six additional MEA Introductory courses have been updated into the new interactive outlook of InforMEA which provides a more streamlined and engaging learning experience. The list of upgraded courses include:
- Introductory Course to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- Introductory Course to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization2. Introductory Course to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.
- Introductory Course to Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
- Introductory Course to Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
- Introductory Course to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa (UNCCD).
- Introductory Course on the International Legal Framework on Transboundary Air Pollution.
Looking forward, InforMEA and the Ramsar Convention are launching a new course on the Convention and how it works. Highlighting the importance of wetlands for maintaining key ecological processes and for the rich flora and fauna they support, this course explains the structure and functions of the different bodies of the Convention, the concepts of wise use and Wetlands of International Importance, and the role of the Convention in giving visibility to wetlands, a mission as urgent as ever. Access the course here.
Strong Regional Seas Presence registered at International Marine Debris Conference
Regional Seas conventions administered by UNEP highlighted ongoing Regional Action Plans on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) and other relevant initiatives, at the seventh International Marine Debris Conference held from 18 to 23 September 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) and the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) teams held a technical session on ”Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Global Action on Marine Litter in the East Asian Seas and Northwest Pacific”. Over 1,000 participants joined 7IMDC, the longest running international conference series dedicated to the issue of marine litter and plastic pollution. The conference was organized by an Executive Committee comprised of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with the organizational support of the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM), and the technical support of U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Representatives of the COBSEA, NOWPAP, the Cartagena and Abidjan Conventions, as well as the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) also participated.
Photo: A few of the coordinators from the Regional Seas team during the 7IMDC
- Youth call for faith-based environmental action: Youth drives innovation in different areas of society. There is a need to catalyse the energy of the youth to be an active agent of change to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In August and September 2022, the Youth Council of the Faith for Earth Coalition met to shape its terms of reference and action plans to dynamize interfaith youth responses toward the triple planetary crisis. Faith for Earth Initiative supports young faith leaders through the Council to globally mobilize environmental action.
- UNEP mobilizes environmental action through Al Mizan: Covenant for the Earth: Strengthening the role of religions and faith actors with climate responsibility, and encouraging them to implement environmental actions is a cornerstone to achieve Agenda 2030. The Faith for Earth Initiative on 8 and 9 September 2022 convened a workshop in Qatar to discuss Al-Mizan: Covenant for the Earth with international and regional scholars, and Qatar Foundation experts. The two-day workshop focused on the need for Islamic guidance based on Islamic values and principles to engage policymakers and the public as part of behavioural change for action on environmental issues.
UNEP supports Governments in action for a green transition
- UNEP through a UN Coalition on environment and climate change, supported Member States to address challenges and and build opportunities to advance the green transition through a series of webinars. The Issue Based Coalition on Environment and Climate Change launched the webinars to build capacities of UN Country Teams in 18 programmed countries of Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. The first webinar was on sustainable finance, with four further events planned for later in 2022 set to “deep dive” in sectoral issues of green transition.
- The Issue Based coalition, also at the request of UN Resident Coordinators, issued a guidance note for use by UN Country Teams on the importance of a continued focus on climate action in support of UN Country Team engagement with Governments in Europe and Central Asia. Read more.
UN system strengthens commitment to climate neutrality
- In 2022, the UN system remains committed to full climate neutrality for GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. Results of the 2022 inventory exercise were circulated to UN entities to support procuring necessary offsets for unavoidable emissions.
- The Greening the Blue Report 2022 continues to align more closely with the objectives, indicators of the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the United Nations System 2020-2030 Phase I: Environmental sustainability in management (“Sustainability Strategy I”). In particular, the data collection for the 2022 report included survey questions for two additional indicators from the “Sustainability Strategy I”. Further, the data collection for the Environmental Governance portion of the Greening the Blue Report was carried out much earlier in the year with preliminary results circulated to UN entities in the summer. This gives UN entities six months to implement improvements to internal environmental sustainability efforts before the end of the calendar year. Progress and improvements will be reflected sooner in the 2023 reporting cycle.
UN progresses to reducing its environmental footprint
- The UN has made progress in reducing its environmental footprint. A new guidance document, the 2022 Inventory Management Plan (IMP), was developed and made available to UN entities. The Plan details how yearly environmental impacts of each UN entity is calculated. This document improves the understanding of focal points and is expected to increase reporting accuracy and completeness.
- The UN Environmental Management Systems (EMS) working group developed a guidance document, templates and checklist for internal audit in the UN system, published for UN entities to use as of 2022. The EMS working group includes environmental focal points and the Sustainable United Nations (SUN) team.
- In collaboration with UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the Issue Management Group (IMG) on Biodiversity, a preliminary indicator set for protecting biodiversity in four key management areas: procurement; operations/facilities; staff awareness; and catering/events has been drafted. The Sustainable UN (SUN) team, through partnerships with select UN entities is piloting the indicator set. Feedback from the pilot will be used to further refine the indicators which will then be piloted with all UN entities.
- To address greenhouse gas emissions from air travel to meetings and conferences, the SUN team in collaboration with the Swedish EPA and Swedish Transport Administration shared a methodology with a systematic approach to integrate sustainable virtual and hybrid meetings in the organizational culture. Greenhouse gas emissions are the most significant environmental aspect from the UN system. Guidance material on hybrid- and virtual meetings planning and technical set up, checklists, surveys on culture and incentives and a meeting planning tool has been developed and delivered along with a 10-step methodology. A webinar where UN system entities shared good practices was also held and recorded.
- On 14 September, the SUN team and partners launched an online Green Events Tool (GET). The tool helps organizations meet their climate mitigation targets by greening their events. From transportation and lodging to paper trails, catering and energy use, the tool provides an all-encompassing approach that identifies ways to host eco-friendly events with reduced carbon footprint and other impacts. The tool is a free-to-use resource available to UN entities and all other organizations. The launch event organised with the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was attended by close to 300 individuals from organisations all over the world.
Sustainable Procurement efforts intensified in the UN system
- Procurement is key to pursuing the goals of the UN Sustainability Strategy I and II. Greening the Blue, with inputs from UN High Level Committee on Management (HLCM) Procurement Network, will report on UN progress with Sustainable Procurement Policies, based on the UN Annual Statistical report on procurement data issued by UNOPS on the UN Global Market Place. The HLCM Procurement Network Sustainable Procurement Working Group planned that, for the next years, capacity building on sustainable procurement will be intensified via multi-agency collaboration. In parallel, statistics related to the number of sustainable procurement tenders, based on the HLCM Sustainable Procurement indicators framework, will be released via the UN Global Market Place, the UN Annual Statistical report and the Greening the Blue report.
- To be complete, the calculations on the UN greenhouse gas footprint may also need to integrate emissions derived from the supply chain. Several organisations, both within and outside the UN Environment Management Group, are exploring the feasibility of assessing their scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions not produced by the UN itself, but including those in UN supply chains)
Technical Handbook on Issuing Sustainable Municipal Bonds in South Africa launched
- In July, the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals (PEA) launched “the Technical Handbook on Issuing Sustainable Municipal Bonds in South Africa”. The launch webinar, was held in collaboration with the International Climate Initiative (IKI) project “Green Economy Transformation”. The Handbook is geared towards supporting South African municipalities to determine whether a Sustainable Bond is a suitable tool for financing their climate change and environmental projects. Sequential steps on how to prepare for, issue and manage a Sustainable Bond are outlined in the Handbook, which is bound to appeal to decision-makers and duty bearers alike. Seventy-four (74) participants attended the launch.
Present perspectives and future outlook on SDGs and Youth in Bangladesh shared
- In September, the Poverty-Environment Action team co-organised a day-long conference in Bangladesh, on “SDGs and Youth in Bangladesh: Present Perspectives and Future Outlook”. The conference provided a platform for public and private university students to learn about and engage on SDGs, to support inclusion of SDGs in national planning. Over 500 participants attended the conference, which adopted the “Youth Declaration 2022”.
Poverty-Environment Action team delivers in sustaining and broadening impact in a post-COVID-19 world
- Building on the momentum of Stockholm+50, the Poverty-Environment Action team convened a two-day hybrid global retreat in September, on “Sustaining and Broadening Poverty-Environment Action Impacts in a post-COVID-19 World”. The retreat focused on sharing knowledge acquired over the 16-year lifespan of the Poverty Environment Initiative/ Poverty-Environment Action project. The team took stock of lessons learned and discussed strategies to sustain the poverty-environment work, climate mainstreaming, and integration. The Poverty-Environment Impact Action Plan was developed, to chart a way forward for Poverty-Environment Action interventions post-2022. Over 150 participants attended the retreat, including representatives from 10 targeted Member States, academia, UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations.
- UNEP and UNDP jointly launched the third edition of the Poverty-Environment Initiative/ Action Handbook: “Sustainable Development in Practice: A Guide to Integrating Environment, Climate and Poverty Reduction”. The launch webinar held alongside the global retreat, invited all poverty-environment practitioners to contribute to this “living edition” of the Handbook. The Handbook offers a practical framework for applying an integrated approach to policy and decision-making cycles. Lessons from Poverty-Environment Action’s “programmatic approach” are offered to support developing solutions to poverty, environment and climate challenges that influence achievement of inclusive green economy, SDGs and associated holistic goals. Handbook chapters are accessible here.
Fourth volume on Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development published
UNEP and partners published “Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development – Volume 4”, during a “UN South-South Cooperation Day” event. The publication features project outcomes from UNEP-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (IEMP) and its collaborating partners. The publication documented evidence-based good practices, showcasing over 130 development solutions with demonstrable cross-boundary cooperation and inter-country knowledge transfer in the global South, as well as, high adaptability to local economic and social conditions. The three cases coordinated and contributed by UNEP-IEMP, and its partners were geared toward achieving SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG-15 (Life on Land). CropWatch, a cloud-based agricultural monitoring platform for food security in the Zambezi River Basin was showcased. The CropWatch platform was customized for the Mozambique government for agrometeorological forecasting and improving agriculture practices.
National awareness raising on integrated ecosystem management in Cambodia supported
UNEP supported and participated in an national awareness-raising event on integrated ecosystem management, to enhance governance capacity nationally for sustainable development in Cambodia. Participants shared good practices for ecosystem management for sustainable livelihoods within other protected areas or projects in both Cambodia and China. Participants also sought to identify private sector or other stakeholders interested in participation and upscaling of project interventions. UNEP’s Integrated Ecosystem Management Partnership (IEMP) presented experiences from the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network on ecosystem monitoring. The presentation included the Network’s cases on environmentally friendly rubber plantation, restoration and agroforestry for red soil and hilly region, and multiple benefits of bamboo plantation. Nearly 100 participants from various government agencies (at central and provincial levels), NGOs, and academia attended the event.
Events
- The Value of Nature: Finance for Biodiversity - INTECOL 2022 - 30 August: Another event on the margins of INTERCOL 2022, this session involved key Geneva-based institutions, looking at private nature-finance approaches, including public incentives for private finance: bringing nature to the heart of financial decision-making, highlighting latest developments in placing financial value on biodiversity, and redirecting financial flows across the global economy towards nature-positive solutions.
- Chemicals and Waste Negotiations Briefing - 13 September: The briefing organized by the Geneva Environment Network provided an overview of the work and key activities to advance the sound management of chemicals and waste globally. It also presented the latest information on the important conferences scheduled in the second half of 2022 and in 2023. The briefing was aimed at Geneva-based stakeholders, including permanent missions, but is also available online for the global audience.
- High Level Briefing on the Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference | 30 Years of Achievements - 23 September: The High-level event looked at 30 years of achievement of the Ministerial Process Environment for Europe - the key regional high-level policy platform that has been driving the environmental and sustainable development agenda in the pan-European region. Read more here on the ninth Ministerial Conference.
Environmental law, governance and related policy issues stay ingrained in the progressive, cross cutting, innovative 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 governance webpages on the UNEP website.
Thank you for your time!
Contact information: alvin.gachie[at]un.org / maryann.kuria[at]un.org / stephen.tengo[at]un.org
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.
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