WELCOME TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE UPDATE.
INTRODUCTION
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. UNEP is driving transformational change by addressing the causes of the three planetary environmental crises: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. Within this framework, the Law Division is positioned as a thought leader and can support countries in strengthening environmental law and governance. We are mandated to strengthen legal frameworks and support countries in fulfilling their environmental commitments, including under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, thereby ensuring a better quality of life for present and future generations. This update offers a reflection on the Law Division's role in addressing environmental issues as the principal Division tasked with implementing UNEP's mandates relevant to environmental rule of law, governance, and policy.
Read more about Law Division’s work here
Oped Articles: Fixing Africa’s air pollution and degraded soil
The Law Division Director authored an Opinion piece titled Fixing Africa’s Air Pollution and degraded soil shedding light on African’s air pollution and land degradation and how it significantly threatens income, food security, climate stability, and public health. The article was published by Open Governance and was also featured on EnviroNews Nigeria, titled ‘Breathing life into land: Tackling Africa’s dual crisis of air pollution and land degradation.
Launch of the Core Human Rights Principles
In the context of Human Rights Day, on 9 December 2024, UNEP launched the Core Human Rights Principles for Private Conservation Organizations and Funders. The Principles translated into English, French, and Spanish aim at fostering a human rights-based approach to conservation that supports the rights of Indigenous Peoples and communities while contributing to the targets and goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). UNEP served as the lead organization in conceptualizing, drafting, and developing the Core Principles. The ten Core Human Rights Principles for Private Conservation Organizations and Funders provide a vital framework for bridging normative gaps regarding the human rights responsibilities of private actors in conservation. By offering guidance for a rights-based approach, the Principles lay a foundation for more rights-based, gender-inclusive, and sustainable conservation practices.
Officially endorsed by a wide range of stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples’ organisations and leaders, conservation organisations, funders, and UN Special Rapporteurs, the Principles foster greater inclusivity and equity in conservation efforts. They have enhanced awareness and commitment among private conservation actors and funders to align their actions with the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework while ensuring the rights of Indigenous Peoples and affected communities are respected and protected. There were subsequent webinars held in support of the launch of the Core Human Rights Principles across various regions, including Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas, and Africa time zones.
The recordings are available at the links below:
People-Centred Justice Forum (11-13 November 2024, Bangkok, Thailand)
UNEP co-organized the Regional Conference on Achieving Just Societies: Inclusive Justice Pathways for People and Planet in Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand, from 11 to 13 November 2024. The Forum was organised with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), and UN Women, in collaboration with the World Justice Project, the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), UNESCO, UNICEF and the Court of Justice of Thailand. The Conference provided the opportunity to further the linkages between environmental rule of law and access to justice, looking specifically at UNEP’s work on environmental law and governance and exploring topics of environmental justice and protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) in the region. This session contributed to increased understanding among duty-bearers and other stakeholders of the role of environmental human rights defenders in ensuring and enabling environmental justice for current and future generations. UNEP also launched a regional initiative for a regional alliance of environmental law clinics during a session on Strengthening Access to Justice through Clinical Legal Education in Environmental Matters.
Kenya 2024 Environment and Land Court Conference (26-29 November 2024, Eldoret, Kenya)
UNEP participated in the 2024 Environment and Land Court Conference on “The Role of the Courts in Remedying Climate Change Chaos: A Call for Distributive and Procedural Justice”, that took place from 26 to 29 November 2024, in Eldoret City, Kenya. This Conference brought together various stakeholders and duty bearers to consider and deliberate on the impacts of climate change in Kenya, the efficacy of the adaptation and mitigation measures in place by the Kenyan government and the incorporation of a human rights perspective in the country’s climate change discourse. These discussions aimed at collaboratively crafting comprehensive solutions, policies and strategies that should be put in place on climate change, taking into account a diversity of voices and ensuring justice for all.
Environmental Crime Prevention
From 19-21 November 2024 in Xiamen, China, UNEP participated in the High-level Debriefing and Interim Evaluation Meeting of Operation DEMETER of the World Customs Organisation. The meeting aimed to consolidate partnerships, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences, and strengthen the capacity of customs administrations to combat environmental crime, particularly the illegal trade in environmental commodities. Strategic high-level discussions regarding Operation DEMETER took place among Director Generals/Commissioners of customs administrations, high-level representatives from international organizations, and Operation DEMETER National Contact Points.
Preparing a European Forum for Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs)
UNEP supported the organization and participated in the preparatory meeting on the initiative of a European Forum for Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) on Joining forces to better support and protect EHRDs in Europe, on 8 October 2024, in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting was convened by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in partnership with UNEP, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE and the Aarhus Convention secretariat), the Council of Europe and the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), and in cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention and the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.
Approximately 80 participants attended the meeting, including representatives of civil society networks and umbrella organisations active in the support and protection of EHRDs, experts from UN, EU institutions and bodies, as well as academia, to explore emerging challenges faced by EHRDs in the wider Europe region. The meeting also provided an overview of existing support and protection mechanisms and identifying potential gaps and needs, with a view to promote better support and protection of EHRDs and gather feedback on the idea of establishing a European Forum for EHRDs, similar to what exists in the Latin American and Caribbean and Asia-Pacific regions.
Advancing environmental rights in the Asia-Pacific region
UNEP contributed through a presentation on children’s right to a healthy environment as part of an event on the ASEAN Committee on Women and Children Strategic Partnership Collaborative Plan of Actions for Protection and Enhancing Well-Being of Children held in Bangkok, Thailand on 17–18 October 2024. Further, on 20 October, UNEP and UN Women co-organised an internal learning session on Discrimination and Environmental Justice which gathered 27 participants and 8 speakers/organisers.
On 7-8 November 2024, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened the AICHR Regional Dialogue and Consultation on Advancing Development of Environmental Rights in ASEAN,at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The meeting took stock of ASEAN environment cooperation and progress in promoting environmental rights.
Strengthening environmental resilience and sustainability
UNEP, under its collaboration with Norway’s Energy for Development Knowledge Programme and together with GRID-Arendal, is supporting the Government of Malawi to produce the next National State of the Environment and Outlook Report (NSEOR), which aims to strengthen environmental resilience and sustainability and develop policy options for addressing the interdependent linkages between energy-food-water-climate and disaster risks. The First Order Draft Writeshop was held from 25 to 28 November 2024 in Lilongwe, Malawi. The meeting aimed to ensure coherence across the chapters and complete the draft text. Following the Writeshop, the NSEOR chapters were prepared for the peer review process, which ran from 10 December to mid-January 2025.
Fourth National Legal Aid Conference on Environmental Justice (22-25 October 2024, Naivasha, Kenya)
From 22 to 25 October 2024, UNEP and the Faculty of Law, Egerton University, organized The Fourth National Legal Aid Conference in Naivasha, Kenya, to deliberate on strategies of ensuring environmental and climate justice in curbing the climate change crisis in a global context. This conference aimed at stimulating dialogue between states, regional and international intergovernmental institutions, academia, civil society organizations and development partners on opportunities, gaps and solutions for enhancing responses, adaptation and mitigation to climate crisis from a global climate and environmental justice perspective. The conference further aimed at generating strategies for enhancing access to environmental justice for the vulnerable, marginalized and Indigenous groups. It provided a forum for presentation of a draft, and discussion of a handbook for legal aid on environmental justice, articulating recommendations, strategies and innovative ideas for implementation in the Kenyan context. The conference was livestreamed and available on the link below.
Capacity Building
- On 17 October and 15 November 2024, UNEP, IUCN Oceania and ADB held webinars for lawyers in the region on key environmental law theories and trends, aiming to build their capacity. The webinars on Addressing Strategic Litigation against Public Participation (108 attendees) and the Polluter Pays Principle (92 attendees) are estimated to have contributed to build the capacity of around 200 lawyers in the region.
- On 3 and 4 December 2024, the UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and UNEP co-organized a Cross-Regional Dialogue on Preventing Zoonotic Disease and Wildlife Spillover in Bangkok, Thailand, under the SAFE project. The Dialogue aimed to align and complement ongoing and upcoming initiatives in the European Union (EU) and ASEAN focused on preventing zoonotic diseases and addressing public and animal health threats, drawing on shared experiences from countries involved in the SAFE project. Attendees included representatives from key ASEAN bodies, EU delegates, and four beneficiary jurisdictions: Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- In the Philippines, UNEP supported the Supreme Court of the Philippines on 28 and 29 November at the National Summit on Sustainability and Environmental Law - Enabling Environmental and Climate Justice Bridging Science and Laws for Responsive Rules and Sustainable Development. UNEP provided technical assistance on the preparation of the rules of procedure for environmental cases. The recording of the Summit is available here.
- On 27 October 2024, UNEP supported the first-ever Youth Forum on Climate Protection, in Bangkok, Thailand. This event contributed to increased youth capacity-building on the Montreal Protocol, as well as network building for youth and youth organizations. The event also led to increased youth engagement at the combined thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties and Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP36).
- The capacity-building workshop for national focal points of the MEAs and the Montevideo Programme V was held in Dakar, Senegal, from 26 to 28 November 2024. The workshop aimed to facilitate the implementation of Biodiversity and Chemicals/Waste Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and served as a follow-up to the Rwanda Workshop for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, which took place in September 2023. The workshop sought to strengthen the implementation of global environmental commitments through a coherent and synergistic approach to MEA implementation at the national level. It provided a platform for participants to exchange information on best practices and experiences, fostering improved and consistent implementation within the Western and Central African region. Discussions focused on enhancing whole-of-government approaches by improving cooperation and coordination among focal points and other government experts working across the two thematic clusters of MEAs. Highlights from the workshop are accessible here with press mentions here
COP29 in Baku showcases the role of judges and MoFA
During COP29, on 15 and 16 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, UNEP co-hosted a series of high-level discussions emphasizing the judiciary’s critical role in environmental adjudication.
- The inaugural Forest Pavilion featured a session on the “Model Forest Act Initiative – A Global Partnership to Improve the Legal Protection of Forests” fostering global collaboration for stronger forest protection laws.
- At the Climate Change and Courts: Judicial Perspectives on Climate Litigation, UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Andersen joined senior judges and leading experts to explore how courts are answering to the climate crisis.
- The Global Dialogue Among Judges in the Context of Climate Change on Pollution, Nature and Water, hosted by the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, brought together senior judges, legal experts, and representatives of Multilateral Environmental Agreements to address climate change, pollution, and water governance. These discussions underscored the judiciary’s growing responsibility in enforcing environmental laws and safeguarding human rights in the face of climate challenges.
Enhancing Judicial Expertise on Environmental Law in China
From 5 to 8 November 2024, UNEP collaborated with the Supreme People’s Court of China (SPC-PRC) and ClientEarth to deliver the National Environmental Judges Training Program and the High-Level International Workshop on Environment Rule of Law and Green Development in Beijing and Chengdu, China. The event brought together 300 environmental judge trainees, providing in-depth training on environmental law and governance. UNEP’s Law Division Director, Patricia Kameri-Mbote, China Office Director, Ruihe Tu, and Environmental Governance Sub-Programme Coordinator, Georgina Lloyd, joined international and national legal experts to facilitate and contribute to the discussions. The sessions fostered knowledge exchange and strengthened the judiciary’s capacity to address pressing environmental challenges through legal frameworks.
🔗 More details: Client Earth Training Program
Caspian Sea Water Level Crisis (18 November 2024, COP29, Baku, Azerbaijan)
On 18 November 2024, the Caspian Sea Water Decline in Light of Climate Change event took place in Baku within the margins of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 29) under the Presidency initiative. The objective of the event was to highlight the urgency of addressing declining water levels in the Caspian Sea. The event was co-organized by the Tehran Convention Secretariat, administered ad interim by UNEP, and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan. The event resulted in the adoption of the “Declaration of the Ministers and Senior Officials of the Caspian Sea Littoral States on Strengthening Cooperation to Address the Caspian Sea Water Level Decline,” marking an important step toward developing an action plan to mitigate climate impacts and ensure the resilience of the Caspian Sea ecosystem. UNEP presented a working paper during the event, revealing how rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns are accelerating the Caspian Sea’s decline.
News event: COP29: Leaders Unite to Address Caspian Sea Water Level Crisis | CEIC Portal
Faith for Earth Coalition efforts during COP29 in Baku
The Global Summit of Religious Leaders was held by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), and UNEP, in Baku, Azerbaijan resulting in the Baku Declaration of the Global Faith Leaders Summit. 350 leaders from secular and traditional religions, heads of prominent religious centers—patriarchs, officials from the Vatican, and Al-Azhar, along with internationally recognized religious and public figures from 55 countries and 30 international organizations. The Faith Pavilion at COP29 worked with over 97 organizations, representing 11 different religions and sects, presenting a comprehensive program of more than 40 discussion sessions on spirituality, ethics, climate adaptation, the role of women’s leadership, and empowering students through faith teachings. Women Faith and Climate Network was launched at the COP29 bringing together 50 women leaders from 8 faiths and 15 countries. This women-led network of faith leaders to combat climate change was launched on 24 October in Frascati, Italy. The Network is unique as it engages women-led climate action networks from diverse geographies and faiths. The aim of the network is to leverage the influence and power of women of faith to speed up the process of achieving planetary-wide climate goals.
Marine Litter Reduction in the Caspian Sea (12 November 2024)
On 12 November 2024, the Tehran Convention initiated a project “Addressing Marine Litter and Marine Plastic – a Systemic Approach in the Caspian Sea”, funded by the Russian Federation Official Development Assistance Programme, with the objective to prevent and reduce marine litter in the Caspian Sea. The project is jointly implemented by UNDP and UNEP. The project represents a significant step in advancing the objectives of the Tehran Convention, particularly in supporting the implementation of the Moscow Protocol.
Final EMG Nexus Dialogue on Harmful Subsidies (26 November 2024)
The third and final webinar in the EMG Nexus Dialogue Series on Harmful Subsidies was held virtually on 26 November 2024, focused on assessing subsidy impacts to inform evidence-based policymaking and support sustainable economic growth. Moderated by UNEP, the webinar covered key lessons learned, case studies on subsidy repurposing, and strategic approaches for policy reform.
95th Meeting of the Executive Committee on the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol
The 95th meeting took place from 4 to 8 December 2024 at the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Montreal, Canada, and was attended by the representatives of 13 Executive Committee member countries and participants co-opted from 30 other countries, implementing agencies (IAs), the Ozone Secretariat, and other observers. UNEP as an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund participated and received important support from donors and developing countries for the work to be developed.
Events at CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia
- UNEP organized the Synergies in Action side event at the 16th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia, on 23 October 2024. The side event brought together Member States representatives, partners and stakeholders to discuss collaboration for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The first part of the event focused on the submission of National Biodiversity Targets and Action Plans (NBSAPs) through the CBD ORT and on the support provided by DaRT and the Target Similarity Assessment Tool (UNDP) in the NBSAP alignment process. The second part discussed how DaRT, the Target Tracker and the new methodology for tracking the implementation of the CBD Gender Plan of Action (developed by UNEP-WCMC and Women4Biodiversity), can support the preparation of the CBD Parties 7th National Reports, due by February 2026. The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration and capacity building to improve the effectiveness of national reporting on global biodiversity commitments.
- At the CBD COP16, EMG coordinated a UN Hub from 22-30 October, providing UN agencies with a platform to bring together stakeholders, enhance the visibility of the UN’s efforts and strengthen partnerships and commitments to achieve the KMGBF.
- A Cooperation Day was organized in collaboration with UNEP, the CBD Secretariat and the Government of Switzerland on 31 October 2024, to foster effective cooperation and coordinated action among and within UN agencies, conventions, governments and other stakeholders for the efficient implementation and achievement of the SDGs, the GBF, MEAs and other strategies at all levels.
- The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat unveiled the "CARICOM State of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Implementation and Achievement Report. The report provides an assessment of the implementation of key Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), focusing on three biodiversity MEAs (CBD, CITES, CMS) and four chemicals MEAs (Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Minamata). The report highlights critical environmental data gaps, identifies data sources, and proposes a monitoring framework for evaluating MEA implementation. The report aims to foster solutions that integrate cross-sectoral activities, contributing to global efforts for harmonious coexistence with nature. This initiative aligns with the goals of the KMGBF, emphasizing CARICOM's commitment to sustainable development and environmental governance. This report was done with support from ACP MEAs III, and it evaluates the progress and challenges faced by CARICOM Member States in implementing MEAs related to biodiversity, chemicals, and waste management.
African Elephant Fund Steering Committee
The newly elected Steering Committee for the African Elephant Fund (AEF) convened to revise funding mechanisms and approve new conservation projects on 13 November 2024. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss strategic issues of the Fund, particularly the revising the project proposal evaluation and selection criteria and updating the proposal submission templates. The Committee also approved issuing the next call for proposals for AEF funding in early 2025.
MEAs Synergies for Strengthened Environmental Governance
On 16 December 2024, a side event on “MEAs Synergies for Strengthened Environmental Governance: Insights from the Bern III Conference” was held in the 16th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focused on strengthening cooperation among multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) for effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It built on outcomes from the Bern III Conference, which brought together 16 MEAs to explore synergies across biodiversity, climate change, desertification, and chemicals and waste. The event highlighted the role of the UNCCD in contributing to KMGBF objectives, particularly through land restoration efforts linked to Target 2. Speakers and panelists discussed practical approaches for integrating global strategies on biodiversity, land degradation, and climate change, showcasing national experiences and joint initiatives. Key discussions centered on fostering collaboration between national focal points, scaling up successful practices, and overcoming challenges to enhance cooperation.
Knowledge Tools
InforMEA - New Goals Section is now live!
On 31 October 2024, UNEP made live its new Goals section on InforMEA entitled 'Global Goals and MEA Strategic Plans - Mapping Linkages.' UNEP developed the section to intuitively map and present the linkages between global goals and frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the KMGBF. It also presents other linkages between the Global Biodiversity Framework and MEA treaty articles and COP decisions. Users can search by keywords from the InforMEA Law and Environment Ontology, to see relevant goals and targets across all of the featured plans and frameworks. The forthcoming phase of this work will explore the potential of natural language processing/knowledge graphs combined with generative AI, to map these goals and frameworks against InforMEA content including national MEA plans and reports
New Interactive MEA Timeline
InforMEA has launched a revamped timeline of key MEAs over time. This newly interactive graphic showcases major Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) over time, by year of adoption – users can hover over an MEA to get more details and navigate to the MEA’s page on InforMEA. This helps to demonstrate the evolution of environmental law since the 1940s, and gives a helpful overview of the main international environmental legal instruments.
Introductory Course to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - Spanish and French
InforMEA launched a new Introductory course to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture available in both Spanish and French. This course introduces learners to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Adopted in 2001, the treaty provides a legally binding framework for conservation and sustainable use of all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), balancing the interests of developed and developing countries.
Disclaimer: The views expressed on the Environmental Governance Update 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.
For enquiries, contact maryann.kuria@un.org.
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This Update is created by UNEP Law division