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The UN Environment Assembly has ended with 14 resolutions to curb pollution and save nature

The UN Environment Assembly has ended with 14 resolutions to curb pollution and save nature

The Fifth UN Environment Assembly ended in Nairobi with 14 resolutions aimed at strengthening actions for nature in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 193 UN Member states make up the Assembly. It meets every two years to promote global environmental governance.

Wednesday evening, the world’s ministers for environment agreed to form an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding agreement to eliminate plastic pollution.

Inger Andersen (Executive Director of UN Environment Programme (UNEP)) stated that this was the most significant multilateral environmental deal since the Paris agreement.

“Against the backdrop for geopolitical turmoil the UN Environment Assembly shows multilateral collaboration at its best,” said Espen BART EIDE, President of UNEA-5 and Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment. 

“Plastic Pollution has become an epidemic. We are now officially on the path to a cure with today’s resolution.

Amina J. Mohamed, Deputy Secretary General of the UN, said: “Today no area on the globe is left untouched plastic pollution, deep-sea sediment to Mount Everest. A multilateral solution that addresses all aspects of plastic pollution is needed for the planet. A legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution would be a welcome first step.

A second resolution, which supports the end of plastic pollution, supports the establishment a comprehensive and ambitious science policy committee on the sound management and prevention of pollution.

The Ministerial Declaration acknowledges humanity’s inability to manage chemicals and waste to date. This threat is further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw widespread use of single-use plastics as well as disinfectant chemicals.

In keeping with the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration spirit, a third resolution of the Assembly focuses upon nature-based solutions: actions that protect, conserve and restore, sustainably utilize and manage ecosystems.

UNEP is asked to support the implementation solutions that safeguard indigenous peoples’ rights.

Andersen stated: “Having a universally accepted definition of nature based solutions is important. If companies and countries claim that their actions support nature-based solutions, it is now possible to evaluate whether or not this is true and what it means. This is especially true considering the recently released report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on how we need to scale up adaptation. Nature-based solutions are crucial for this.

Three resolutions are proposed to prioritize ecosystem restoration, biodiversity preservation, resource efficiency and consumption patterns, climate mitigation, adaptation, job creation, and poverty reduction.

A resolution on the minerals and metals should be developed to improve their environmental sustainability throughout their entire lives.

A resolution on sustainable lakes management calls upon member states to protect and conserve lakes and sustain their use while integrating lakes in national and regional development plans.

The resolution on resilient and sustainable infrastructure encourages member countries to incorporate environmental considerations into all their infrastructure plans.

A concluding Ministerial Declaration acknowledged the risk of future pandemics, and other health threats, if humanity doesn’t change its patterns in interaction with nature through a holistic approach such ‘One Health.

In this context, a resolution about animal welfare calls upon member states to protect animals and their habitats, as well as meet their welfare requirements.

Another resolution on biodiversity & health calls for member states to reduce the health risks associated trade in live animals captured for food, captive breeding and medicines, and the pet trade through regulation and sanitary control.

Ministerial Declaration highlighted the urgent need for halting the global decline and fragmentation in biodiversity. This was unprecedented in human history.

In this context the Assembly adopted a resolution urging it to accelerate action to reduce nitrogen waste from all source, especially through agricultural practices. It also aims to save $100 billion annually.

The Covid-19-related investments have largely failed to promote environmental goals. The world’s environment ministers pledge to promote an inclusive and sustainable recovery, a fair transition, and a green and just transition by incorporating biodiversity and climate change concerns into all policies, tools, and programs.

To strengthen measures for a sustainable, resilient, inclusive and global recovery, the Assembly adopted “resolution on environmental dimension of sustainable, resilient, inclusive post-Covid-19”

Additional resolutions and decisions from the Assembly address the venue and date for UNEA-6, future of the Global Environment Outlook and (GEO), and equitable geographical representation and balance within the UNEP secretariat.

Following UNEA-5’s online session last year, the three-day UNEA 5.2 in-person and virtual meeting will be held this year. It attracted approximately 3,000 participants in person and 1,500 online from 175 UN member countries, including 17 Ministers and high-ranking officials.

The Assembly will be followed by UNEP@50, a two-day Special Session that marks UNEP’s 50th Anniversary. At this special session, member states will discuss how to build a resilient post-pandemic world and also endorse a draft Political Declaration.
 

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