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. This edition of the newsletter reflects on the significant developments of the Law Division on environmental matters, encompassing human rights and related activities, as the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance and related policy issues.
Between October and December 2022, the Division collaborated with other United Nations Agencies such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other institutions, groups and individuals in efforts addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss towards promoting sound environmental governance.
The collaboration ensued against the backdrop of major events such as the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27), the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19) and the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) among others. In implementing the activities featured in this newsletter, the Division employed a gender and equality lens, coupled by the values of inclusivity and diversity as essential in the unified effort to achieve a healthy planet and people. Read more below.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- ENVIRONMENTAL RULE OF LAW
- HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
- MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS: IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE
- INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING
ENVIRONMENTAL RULE OF LAW
Access to justice in environmental matters increased through educational forums, legal trainings and the 2022 Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards recognizing exemplary environmental action
- Action towards the establishment of a regional dispute mechanism in the Pacific was strengthened following the second Working Group Meeting for the Pacific Environmental Dispute Mechanism on 18 October where a work plan was agreed upon which included launching a series of focus group discussions to establish the potential scope and options of a regional mechanism to increase access to justice in environmental matters across the Pacific.
- From 27 to 28 October, UNEP and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) trained more than a hundred in environmental law with the Legal Education Board of the Philippines on 27-28 October 2022. The program focused on developments of pedagogy and environmental law teaching in the post-covid world. Looking forward, an introduction of the work being done on the Regional Model Environmental Law Curriculum is expected. Read more
- In the same vein, from 8 to 9 December, 37 Cambodian environmental lawyers, judges and academics were trained in environmental law with ADB and National University of Management Cambodia. Read more
- From 6 to 7 December, UNEP together with ADB convened the Regional Roundtable of Environmental Law Champions in Cambodia where 30 Environmental Law Champions prepared a joint work plan at the Regional Symposium on the Future of Environmental Law. An additional 40 participants from 11 countries in the region developed a vision statement on environmental law teaching in Asia and the Pacific and elements of an action plan for the next five years. Additionally, UNEP organized two evening community dialogues in Cambodia on sustainable tourism governance and participatory environmental governance. Read more
Environmental Crime
The seventh edition of the Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards (the “Awards”) ceremony took place in Bangkok, as a side event on the first day of the Wildlife Inter-regional Enforcement (WIRE) organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), from 30 November to 2 December 2022. The Awards recognized the exemplary performance of men and women from China, India, Indonesia, and Maldives, who set an example of best practice in combatting the illegal trade in wildlife, chemicals and waste, including ozone depleting substances. The 2022 Awards were given by UNODC in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Secretariat of the Basel Convention, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the World Customs Organization (WCO). Read more
African Elephant Side-Event at CITES CoP19
- On 23 November 2022, the African Elephant Fund organized a side event titled Emergency Action: Strengthening African elephant conservation efforts amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, during the Nineteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CITES CoP19), The purpose of the event was to showcase the responses of the African elephant range States to the challenges posed to elephant conservation by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Vice-Chair of the African Elephant Fund Steering Committee, Mr. Joseph Lekealem, highlighted the significance of the emergency funding due to the increased threats to the African elephant, and the action by the range States to reinforce their elephant conservation efforts. Representatives from three sub-regions (East, Southern and West Africa) presented on selected Covid-19 projects implemented in these regions.
- Mr. Charles Tumwesigye (Deputy Director for Field Operations, Uganda Wildlife Authority; CITES/MIKE focal point) highlighted how law enforcement was enhanced, particularly in poaching hot spot poaching areas, resulting in the arrest of 666 suspects, recovery of 6 pieces of ivory, removal of 4,124 snares and wheel traps, and arrests of 4 smugglers. Mr. Alex Chunga (Principal Parks and Wildlife Officer, Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Malawi) emphasized the significance of the capacity building workshops for judiciary prosecutors, investigators and field staff in strengthening law enforcement. This resulted in an improved conviction rate and quick prosecution of encroachment cases. He further highlighted that the cross-border collaboration between Malawi and Zambia in conducting joint border patrols further enhancing surveillance. Through the project no elephant deaths due to illegal killings were recorded. Mr. Lekealem, who also serves as one of the sub-regional representatives for Central Africa, spoke on the Covid-19 projects being implemented in Cameroon and Chad. In Chad, 10 collars were fitted among 10 elephant groups thereby enabling round the clock monitoring. In addition, remote communication was strengthened with teams in the field to enable faster response rate to issues reported (such as illegal activities). As was to be expected, the range States reported that the reduced revenues from tourism significantly impacted their wildlife conservation efforts. This drew attention to the need for diversified sources of funding.
- A short documentary and accompanying article on the AEF’s emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been produced. These feature the Covid-19 project implemented in Uganda. The project implemented by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) enhanced law enforcement capacity and operations in Murchison Falls Conservation Area to reinforce elephant conservation efforts during this unprecedented period. The documentary and article were published on the UNEP website and featured on the homepage to coincide with the commencement of the CITES COP19 meeting. The documentary can be accessed below:
Documentary: On the front line against wildlife poaching in Uganda
HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Increased capacity development of human rights defenders and youth empowerment in climate action towards the sustainable development and advancement of environmental rights
- Environmental human rights defenders across Asia Pacific have increased knowledge to access justice and participate in environmental matters knowledge sharing. The Forum supports some of the most at-risk individuals calling for sustainable development and the realization of the right to a healthy environment. advancement on gender equality and human rights. Youth and Environmental Justice. UNEP will support the functioning of this Working Group and increase interagency coordination on engagement with youth. UNEP supported a training for Indigenous youth through delivering a session on climate justice, with a focus on GA resolution on the R2HE, at a training for Indigenous youth as part of the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAB), in Chiang Mai 14-16 November 2022.
- From 25 to 27 October, the 2022 Asia Pacific Environmental Human Rights Defenders Forum organized by UNEP together with partners facilitated knowledge sharing among environmental human rights defenders. The forum supported the call for sustainable development and the realization of the right to a healthy environment in a hybrid setting with in-person hubs in Bangkok and Suva. The sessions and discussions at the forum were on environmental defenders in conflict situations, Reporting human rights violations and engaging with UN Special Procedures, Tools and Emergency support at the National level for EHRDs, Advocacy tactics, and Development of regional framework on environmental rights.
- On 10 October, 19 UNEP staff from across the Asia Pacific region were trained to integrate human rights and gender equality into project monitoring and reporting. There were shared examples of what gender responsive and human rights-based indicators can be portrayed in an environmental project. Additional examples were shared on how a project evaluation can examine results which promote gender equality and human rights.
- A working group on Youth and Environmental Justice was also established in October 2022 by UN agencies under the Asia Pacific Interagency Network on Youth which is part of the Regional Collaborative Platforms. UNEP will support the group and increase interagency coordination on engagement with the youth.
- In November 2022, UNEP supported a training for Indigenous youth by delivering a session on climate justice, with a focus on GA resolution on the R2HE, at a training for Indigenous youth as part of the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAB), in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- From 22 to 23 November, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) conducted an Ad Hoc Preparatory Session for the ASEAN Environmental Rights Framework and Interim Working Group Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting deliberated and agreed on the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Environmental Rights Working Group (AER WG) to be established in the drafting of the regional framework. Read more
- Under the auspices of the Escazú Agreement, UNEP, together with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and other partners, convened the First Annual Forum on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of the first forum, held from 22 to 23 November, was to provide a space for discussion of human rights defenders’ situations in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing together the Parties to the Escazú Agreement, recognized specialists in the field, and the public, especially human rights defenders, indigenous peoples and local communities, and people or groups in vulnerable situations who defend the environment. Read more
- On 9 December, UNEP launched the Environmental Human Rights Defenders Toolkit which aims to provide a set of resources to enable EHRDs to protect, promote and realize the right to a healthy environment. The toolkit will also support defenders’ important rolein tackling the triple planetary crisis and achieving the 2030 Agenda. The EHRD Toolkit has five modules namely Module 1: Launching environmental campaigns, Module 2: Conducting risk assessments, Module 3: Accessing international human rights mechanisms, Module 4: Accessing support for EHRDs and Module 5: Ensuring psychosocial wellbeing. Land and Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs)are levers of change in protecting the environment and standing up for communities and individuals who are disproportionately impacted by environmental harm.
Advancing the right to a healthy environment
- As a result of UNEP’s secretariat support to member states, the UN General Assembly recognised (in resolution 76/300) the human right to a healthy environment. Following the recognition of this right, a General Recommendation on the rights of Indigenous women and girls of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was adopted. It refers specifically to the right to a healthy environment. This is significant as it is the first time a treaty body has referenced the right in its general recommendation, which can be attributed to, amongst others, UNEP’s secretariat support to Member States. This will facilitate the implementation of the right and influence other processes including the development of a General Comment on climate and environment by the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
- In addition to this, UNEP’s efforts have been recognised and have contributed to the inclusion of the right to a healthy environment in resolutions of the Human Rights Council on: the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation and national human rights institutions.
- Related developments on the right to a healthy environment include recent deliberations by the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe is discussing adopting an additional protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights on the right to a healthy environment. They have been discussing this for over 10 years and, since 2021, there is more traction. If adopted, it will be the first explicit legalization of the right to a healthy environment across Europe.
Support to Environmental Defenders
On 5 October 2022, UNEP launched a microsite of good practices for environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs). The microsite was developed with inputs from environmental defenders from all regions and highlights good practices in 183 countries.
The aim of the microsite, and advance copy of the Executive Summary of a forthcoming publication titled Protecting the Frontline: Good practices for Supporting Environmental Human Rights Defenders is to help change the narrative surrounding the situation of defenders and to highlight contributions and support initiatives for defenders to address the triple planetary crisis.
Regional Forum on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters
The First Annual Forum on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean was celebrated in Quito, Ecuador, on 22 and 23 November. The Forum was established in the framework of the First meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Escazú Agreement and was jointly organized led by the Secretariat of the Agreement (ECLAC), UNEP and UNHCHR. The Forum was convened with the objective of generating a platform for reflection and dialogue on the situation of human rights defenders in environmental issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. As a result, participants agreed to prepare a report as input for development and revision of the plan of action which will be developed by the working group created by Decision 1/6 of the First COP of Escazu Agreement in April this year. The extraordinary COP to take place in April 2023 will be the next opportunity to advance in the preparation of the plan
In preparation for the forum, UNEP and the Latin American Alliance of Environmental Legal Clinics convened a working session of the Alliance of Legal Clinics, facilitating a dialogue on the legal nature and protection mechanisms for environmental defenders and promote inputs for the Forum. The members of the Alliance analyzed examples and best practices of countries that have already put in place regulations on these matters, however it is still be built a common approach among countries of the region to ensure that the provisions of article 9 of the Escazu agreement on environmental human rights defenders are applied.
High Level Informative Session “Plastic Pollution, Law and Justice “
- Within the framework of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, the Environmental Governance Unit of UNEP’s Latin America and the Caribbean Office organized a hybrid High Level Informative Session on “Plastic Pollution, Law and Justice” on Thursday, December 1, 2022, in coordination with the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment (GJIE), the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL), and the Ministry of the Environment of Uruguay. This one-hour session raised a lot of interest with 209 people participating on-line and 45 people in-person. Read more
- Justices and experts on environmental law from different parts of the world highlighted on the essential role of law and justice to tackle plastic pollution, and brought to the table substantive inputs on potential elements on the legal design of the future treaty, including the scope and specific objectives of the instrument, principles of international law and new principles of circular economy, that will guide the implementation of the instrument, as well as procedures and mechanisms that might be relevant to furthering implementation and compliance under the future instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
The Caribbean Biological Corridor
- The Caribbean Biological Corridor Initiative celebrated several highly important milestones in the last quarter. To start, the first in-person Ministerial Committee of the Initiative since 2019 was celebrated, in the context of a successful end of implementation of the "Strengthening the Caribbean Biological Corridor" project, which has been financed by the European Union since 2017. In this Ministerial Committee, Jamaica formally joined the CBC as a full-fledged member. This follows a previous decision on the expansion of the CBC into the Greater Antilles and marine areas, which sets the scene for a progressive expansion for membership of the Initiative.
- In this context, the future of the Initiative was strengthened, as two new funding sources were approved. First, activities will be implemented in the marine scope of the corridor, specifically in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, through one year funding provided by Norway. This is an innovative approach for the CBC and will set the tone and baseline for future interventions. In the same line, an Ecosystem-based Adaptation project was approved by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), focusing on Cuba and Haiti with a ridge-to-reef approach. The next year for the Initiative is sure to be eventful with new beginnings and ambitions.
MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS: IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE
Global and regional cooperation enhanced through events and the development of information materials to aid the implementation of the mandates of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)
InforMEA launched a Mercury and Gender Course and held its 13th Steering Committee Meeting
All people are exposed to mercury at some level, but the greatest concern revolves around the exposure of women of child-bearing age because of its impact on future generations. In November, InforMEA collaborated with the Minamata Convention on Mercury to launch a course on Mercury and Gender.
This course focuses on the health effects of mercury exposure on women and children, the description of the main sources of exposure to this toxic metal, and its main risks. Finally, it emphasizes the actions the Minamata Convention is taking to advance gender equity in the implementation process. The course provides an understanding of the health effects of mercury exposure in women and children. View course syllabus here and Take the course here (login required)
The 13th InforMEA Steering Committee Meeting (SCM) was held in a hybrid format from 11-13 October 2022. The meeting was structured around two workstreams: Technical Implementation and Joint Issues. The workstreams convened during scheduled breakout sessions on the first two days of the meeting, holding separate deliberations.
The purpose of the meeting was to obtain the MEA members’ guidance on the Program’s priorities and further development. The program, the decision-making quality of the meeting, and the respective MEA network especially benefit from the input of the diverse expertise and knowledge held by the designated MEA representatives to the InforMEA Initiative.
The outcomes and recommendations of these workstreams were presented for endorsement by all participants on the final day of the meeting. The meeting welcomed the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as an observer to the secretariat as an observer. For more information please see the Executive Summary, the Agenda and the Recommendations.
ACP MEAs 3 in support of CBD COP 15 meeting
- Recognizing the need to support countries to effectively negotiate and decide on the post 2020 global biodiversity framework, the ACP MEAs 3 programme organized several training and orientation sessions for negotiators besides developing technical support documents on key issues to assist the negotiations. These include the organization of regional preparatory events in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific regions, support to ministerial meetings in the region, one in-regional meeting bringing all the three regions together, supporting development of national and regional positions on key issues, development of an analyses paper on financing options for implementing the framework, policy paper on green and blue economies.
- The outcomes of these events and support contributed to the final outcomes of the CBD COP 15, including the adoption of the global biodiversity framework and other key decisions in Montreal.
ACP MEAs 3 supports participation of youth and journalists at CBD COP 15
Ensuring that youth and journalists are capacitated and empowered to understand and follow up on the discussions during CBD COP 15, the ACP MEAs 3 programme supported the participation of 6 youth delegates and 6 journalists during the meeting in Montreal. With extensive orientation on issues to be discussed during COP 15, the participants actively engaged with several events related to ACP MEAs 3 and others.
ACP MEAs 3 in support of countries to revise/update the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
ACP MEAs 3 programme will lead UNEP’s efforts to support countries to prepare for and revisetheir national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) through the GEF supported Early Action Grant programmes. This is being rolled out in 138 countries where UNEP and UNDP will provide technical assistance to countries.
ACP MEAs 3 starts collaboration with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)
- Realizing the importance of multilateral development banks (MDBs) in supporting the implementation of the CBD global biodiversity framework, the ACP MEAs 3 programme organized a meeting with senior officials of the MDBs in Montreal. With the participation of executive secretary to CBD, Ms. Elizabeth M Mrema and colleagues from about twenty MDBs, the discussions focused on collaboration with UNEP on implementing the global biodiversity framework.
Recognition of the Data Reporting Tool for MEAs (DaRT) in several CBD COP15 decisions and Ramsar COP14 draft resolution
The recognition of DaRT in four CBD COP15 decisions and Ramsar COP14 resolution are an important achievement, as they will serve as a basis to further develop and roll-out of DaRT in countries parties to biodiversity-related conventions in 2023.
Following DaRT management team’s active engagement with Parties and biodiversity-related conventions, including with the CBD Secretariat, DaRT was mentioned in four CBD COP15 decisions (as of 30 December 2022). The 15th Conference of Parties, held on 7–19 December in Montreal, Canada, notably invited the governing bodies of other biodiversity-related conventions and relevant multilateral environmental agreements to use DaRT to support the implementation of the newly adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (post-2020 GBF). More specifically, UNEP was invited to continue enhancing synergies in reporting for Parties through DaRT. COP15 also requested the Executive Secretary to facilitate the use of DaRT for reporting and monitoring (CBD/COP/15/L.26 and L.27). Recognizing DaRT as a biodiversity data and knowledge-management tool, the Executive Secretary was further requested to continue its collaboration with DaRT, alongside further development of the Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) and the Bioland tool (CBD/COP/15/L.32).
DaRT is also mentioned in Ramsar COP14’s Resolution 18.8 Rev.2 on “enhancing the Convention’s visibility and synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements and other international institutions”. In this draft resolution, the Secretariat of 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands “Wetlands Actions for People and Nature”, held in Geneva, Switzerland on 5-13 November, urged the Parties “to establish national collaboration mechanism between MEA focal points to promote synergies (…) through national biodiversity working groups, relevant measures in the NBSAPs, harmonized knowledge management and national reporting, including by making use of the Data Reporting Tool (DaRT) developed by UNEP” (para. 52bis).
Beyond DaRT, the role of both UNEP in the MEAs synergies and the Bern II process was acknowledged by three biodiversity-related conventions between September and December 2022. In the run up to CBD COP15, UNEP submitted the Bern II Consultation Workshop Report including the co-leads paper to the following MEA subsidiary bodies’ meetings as an information document: ITPGRFA session 9, CMS 53rd Standing Committee, CITES COP19, Ramsar COP14 and CBD COP15. The subsidiary bodies have reflected the report accordingly in their decisions, CBD (CBD/COP/15/L.21), ITPGRFA (ITPGRFA session 9, Resolution 13) and Ramsar (Ramsar COP14 Doc.18.8 Rev.2), specifically acknowledging UNEP’s role in the MEAs synergies work and the Bern process. In the submission cover note summarizing the report UNEP has reiterated its commitment, based on its mandate, to continue its support across biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements to facilitate the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The Bern process was additionally acknowledged in CITES COP19 Decision 17.56.
Additional outreach activities conducted by the DaRT team included the dissemination of DaRT Progress Report as an information document to the CBD COP15, co-hosting a side-event (#4745) at COP15, that presented DaRT as one of the tools and solutions to implement the post-2020 GBF. The DaRT team also set up a DaRT help desk and participated in other COP15 side-events on spatial data for reporting and monitoring, women in biodiversity, faith-based stakeholders, and global media outlets. Finally, regional workshops to roll-out and operationalize DaRT were conducted in October and November 2022: in Tunisia for the Maghreb region, in Burundi for Francophone Africa countries, and in Peru for the Latin America region. Read more
Group Discussions on Enhancing South-South Cooperation through ACP MEAs3 Programme
During the 2022 PSC meeting, a dedicated session was organized that discuss specific plans and actions in support of strengthening SSC. South-South cooperation (SSC) in the ACP MEAs has been established as a technical cooperation among these countries in the Global South; in the context of political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains. The partnership is aimed at achieving the programme targets and attaining the internationally agreed SDGs. SSC will take various forms such as Learning (sharing knowledge, experiences and good practices where developing countries exchange knowledge); Technical cooperation partnership development (strengthening of networks) and Capacity-building within stakeholders of developing countries. To operationalize an SSC plan action plan, ACP MEAs is establishing methods that the ACP MEAs 3 Programme will contribute to enhancing impacts and outreach through South-South Cooperation. For more information, contact: Mary Kanyua (mary.kanyua@un.org) and Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati (balakrishna.pisupati@un.org)
REGIONAL SEAS HIGHLIGHTS
Capacity-Building for MEAs in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific
The third Project Steering Committee Meeting of the Capacity Building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in Africa, Caribbean, and the Pacific Countries (ACP MEAs) Programme was held from 19-20 October in Brussels, Belgium. The aim of the Programme is to empower key stakeholders to address environmental challenges and to reap the benefits of improved environmental management at national and regional levels. During the meeting, the implementation status of the programme was reviewed and strategic priorities and cross-cutting issues of the programme were identified, such as: Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface, Enhancing South-South Exchange and Alignment of actions among implementing partners using emerging opportunities.
Regional Seas representatives from the Abidjan, Cartagena and Nairobi Convention reported on progress on efforts to build capacities for the management of coasts and oceans in the West, Central and Southern African, Wider Caribbean and Western Indian Ocean Region respectively, highlighting their actions on preserving marine biodiversity and addressing marine pollution. The meeting also launched a Toolkit on Pro-Environmental Youth Engagement, developed by youth for youth, which provides hands on guidance on how to engage in pro-environmental change.
Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) Intergovernmental Meeting
The resumed session of the 25th Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM25.2) of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) took place in Hanoi, Viet Nam, on 12-13 October, hosted by the Viet Nam Administration for Seas and Islands (VASI) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The nine participating countries of COBSEA adopted implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) and formally established COBSEA’s first Regional Activity Centre (RAC): the Regional Capacity Centre for Clean Seas (RC3S) in Bali, Indonesia. Read more
The COBSEA meeting also established the East Asian Seas Regional Node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML). The web platform will provide access to policies, guidelines, a map of good practices, a Regional Research Database and Network, a network of experts, a learning center, and be linked to the Global Digital Platform of the GPML. The meeting also agreed on the further development of COBSEA’s Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Framework and a regional nutrient reduction strategy. Countries thanked COBSEA, UNEP and the Government of Sweden for support provided through the SEA circular project, resulting inter alia in the development of Malaysia’s National Marine Litter Policy and Action Plan 2021-2030 and regional guidance to harmonize marine litter monitoring.
Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fishery Bodies
The third meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogue was held from 25-28 October 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. The aim of the SOI is to catalyse partnerships and facilitate dialogue, collaboration and capacity-building to support efforts to achieve global biodiversity targets in marine and coastal zones.
The meeting also considered the linkages and relevance of regional work and collaboration pertaining to the goals and targets for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework for regions to develop or revise concrete actions and milestones towards post-2020 implementation.
Support to “Improving Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Livelihoods within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation ”
- The implementation of the “Improving Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Livelihoods in Cambodia and China within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation” project have completed a total of 5 knowledge products on good practices, tools and financial mechanisms relevant for integrated ecosystem management in connection with livelihoods in the region. The project These knowledge products feed into the work on the pilot sites, as well as capacity building conducted for local farmers in both China and Cambodia. Read more
- The UNEP-IEMP team also took part in the “Green Lancang-Mekong Initiative: Towards COP15—Senior-level Roundtable Dialogue on Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Lancang-Mekong Region” organized by the project on 23 November 2022 and the project closing workshop held on 15 December 2022 and contributed to communication and dissemination on the project outcomes. Read more
UNEP-IEMP’s Presence in the second part of CBD COP15
The second part of the Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) was held from 7-19 December 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Ms. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, highlighted the interlinkages of the three planetary crises and advocated nexus approaches of climate action, ecosystem management and sustainable livelihoods (CEL) to addressing the crises.
Photo: A team of project staff members from UNEP-IEMP during the CBD COP15.
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING
Local communities and faith organizations scaled up efforts towards the restoration of the environment through better coordination and strategy in collaboration with the United Nations
- The launch of Faith Guidelines for Tree Growing with WWF: At COP15, WWF and Trillion Trees with the support or UNEP Faith for Earth launched Tree Growing for Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration: A Guide for Faith-based Actors. As the first-ever guide to tree growing, this collaboration recognised the tremendous impact of local communities and faith organisations for landscape restoration and providing a step-by-step process for scaling up efforts and ensuring that they are collaborative and apply the best available science and knowledge. It further emphasizes the need for data collection, project monitoring and reporting to meet national targets.
- Faith for Earth Side events and coordination for COP 27: Following COP27 where over 40 official side-events were held and more than 300 faith partners actively participated from around the world, UNEP Faith for Earth called for a consultative meeting to highlight the contribution of faith actors on COP27 deliberations and outcomes towards ensuring effective faith-based engagement at COP28. Representatives rallied around the idea for a faith pavilion to strengthen the collective delegation of faith, to better coordinate and strategize around climate action, including integrating balanced gender perspectives and intergenerational dialogue.
UN Environment Management Group (EMG)
- The EMG played an important role in catalyzing the UN system momentum to address the challenges of biodiversity by organizing a high-level dialogue entitled “Implementing the Common Approach to Biodiversity and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework” in the margins of the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) on 15 December 2022 in Montreal. The Dialogue underscored the UN system commitment to achieving the objectives of the Common Approach to Biodiversity and collaborating to support Member States in the implementation of what was adopted at COP15 as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Read more.
- The Dialogue brought together heads and senior officials of the UN system entities and other relevant international organizations as well as Ministers of Environment of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to share their views on how to deliver jointly on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework through the implementation of the Common Approach to Integrating Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development into UN Policy and Programme Planning and Delivery, adopted by the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) in May 2021.
- At CBD COP15, EMG also organized a side event on “Realizing the right to a healthy environment: UN system contributions to integrating human rights in biodiversity action”, to build momentum for the integration of human rights, including the right to a healthy environment, in the development and implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, while increasing awareness of the ongoing UN interagency cooperation on human rights and biodiversity.
- UNEP actively engaged and highlighted key regional environmental priorities at the Seventh Session of the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development (CED) in Asia and the Pacific 29 November- 1 December 2022. UNEP organized a multi stakeholder dialogue on Ocean Governance with recommendations for action presented at the Ministerial session of the CED. In addition, UNEP co-organized two side events at CED: 1) Strengthening the environment-health nexus and One Health in Asia and the Pacific” with ESCAP, FAO, WHO and 2) on the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) with the Japan Ministry of Environment. UNEP also briefed the Ministerial session of CED on UNEA outcomes and other key global processes including COP 15, triple planetary crisis priorities in the region and the Fifth Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific due to take place in 2023. In terms of UN engagement, UNEP supported- and is integrated into- and signed the SriLanka, Iran, Pakistan UNSDCFs.
POVERTY-ENVIRONMENT ACTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Partnership with UNITAR to Document PEA’s Legacy and Develop a PEA E: Learn Course: The UNITAR team worked with the Poverty-Environment Action (PEA) project to document key lessons from the PEA interventions and its predecessor project, the Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI) over the course of the past 18 years. The documentation will cumulate into a self-paced e-learning course, entailing extensive videographic work being undertaken with key resource persons globally. The intention is to prepare 2 linked self-paced online courses with targeted learning material (total duration = approximately 6 hours). The course content will primarily focus on integrating the different chapters in PEA Handbook as courses subdivided into relevant modules with specific themes. However, relevant thematic and sector-specific examples will be incorporated based on the feedback received on the assessment survey. Regarding the video interviews, aspects relating to “regional sustainable financial mechanisms”, “UN reform” and assorted “PEA project achievements” were amongst the agenda items, as demonstrable upshots of the UNDP-UNEP collaboration under PEA. Likewise, the operating context, challenges, importance of collaborations with national institutions and associated cooperation mechanisms were also discussed during the nuanced recorded interviews.
Looking forward: The migration of PEA knowledge products has been initiated in partnership with the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) and UNEP’s Science Division (World Environment Situation Room – WESR) to be concluded within the first three months of 2023.
Webinar on “Mainstreaming Gender in the Poverty-Environment and Climate Change Nexus”: On 18 October 2022, the fourth PEA webinar for 2022, titled “Mainstreaming Gender in the Poverty-Environment and Climate Change Nexus” was held with the goal of sharing lessons and approaches on gender mainstreaming in the agriculture sector, in climate budgeting and environmental investments. The webinar brought together PEA countries, technical assistance projects, partners and other stakeholders working on gender mainstreaming in environment and natural resource management sectors.
- Notably, PEA has been applying a gender and rights-based approach to integrating poverty-environment objectives to promote gender equality and human rights standards in poverty-environment strategies and mainstreaming efforts— including the right to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice by poor and marginalized groups.
- The meeting also considered the linkages and relevance of regional work and collaboration pertaining to the goals and targets for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework for regions to develop or revise concrete actions and milestones towards post-2020 implementation.
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.