Smart Governance for a Healthy Planet and People
This update is designed to inform you about the work UN Environment and our partners are doing to advance sound environmental governance.
Each story in this update contributes to the advancement of sound environmental governance in one of the following ways:
(i) UN bodies and international organizations integrate environmental policy issues from UN Environment policy advice
(ii) Uptake of approaches for the coherent implementation of multiple agreements or other multilateral institutional mechanisms
(iii) Concerted policy action is taken by countries on environmental issues of international concern
(iv) Countries with enhanced institutional capacity and legal frameworks fully implement international environmental objectives
(v) Increased integration of the environment in sustainable development planning, including as part of achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals
(vi) Increased partnerships between UN Environment and stakeholders to promote the achievement of internationally agreed environmental goals, including Sustainable Development Goals
Environmental Rights
More than 100 countries incorporate constitutional rights to a healthy environment. When states fail to recognize these environmental obligations, the ensuing environmental degradation impacts on the enjoyment of human rights across the world. UN Environment is supporting efforts to assist countries to implement these rights and to address their violations. UN Environment is also contributing to research and analyses on legal definitions to make environmental rights real for the people they are designed to protect, including environmental defenders.
UN experts urge Kenya to protect environmental defenders
UN experts have advised the Kenyan Government to urgently take measures to protect defenders who have faced harassment and intimidation after they testified against a local lead smelter accused of environmental pollution. This follows a series of threats that a number Kenyan environmental defenders have been subjected to, following their pursuit for justice. Read more...
The first legally binding instrument on human rights and the environment is adopted in Latin America and the Caribbean
The negotiation of the regional instrument was initiated in 2014 and was adopted in March of this year by 24 countries from the Latin American and Caribbean region, with the objective to guarantee full and effective implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration in the Latin America and the Caribbean. Read more...
Environmental rights - Stepping up the fight for the right to a healthy environment
In 2016, UN Environment made Berta Caceres a Champion of the Earth, our top award for those who are leading the struggle for protecting people and planet. Sadly, it was an honour she was not there to receive. She was a high-profile activist with a strong support network, celebrated nationally and an inspiration to embattled activists around the world. Read more...
UN Environment stands up for Indigenous Peoples in their fight for environmental justice
Since the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples more than 10 years ago, the United Nations and Member States have made significant efforts to acknowledge and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, notwithstanding their efforts, we see alarming trends that work against the principles of the Declaration. Read more...
First Environmental Law Clinic Opens in Wuhan University, China
The Wuhan University Environmental Law Clinic was officially established in March 2018. It is the first environmental clinic in China to focus on training and supporting law students and other stakeholders in the practice and theory of public interest environmental litigation. UN Environment together with Chinese law firms and the Vermont Law School provided support for the establishment of the Clinic in support of UN Environment’s Environmental Rights Initiative. Read more...
UN Environment statement in response to allegations of terrorism against UN Special Rapporteurs
UN Environment notes with deep concern the recent accusations of terrorism that have been levelled against UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Ms. Joan Carling, Focal Person for Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development, and hundreds of other individuals in the Philippines. Read more...
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Environmental Rights Initiative: Fact-sheet, Concept Note, and Partnership Note
Joint Statement by UN Environment and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment
UNWTO and UN Environment join forces to empower media as environment and wildlife defenders
OHCHR: Factory workers highlight health and rights impacts of new Samsung smartphones
Biodiversity & Wildlife
UN Environment works closely with governments, law enforcement agencies, biodiversity experts and judiciaries to support the design, implementation and enforcement of laws and regulations that contribute to improved governance of natural resources.
African rangers to receive first international award for protecting wildlife
Many of Africa’s wildlife species have declined dramatically in recent years, mainly due to poaching, habitat loss, and illegal trade, according to Chinese conservation non-profit Paradise Foundation International. Rangers operate in extreme environments and sometimes risk their own lives to protect wildlife and the habitat in which they thrive. Read more...
Many Voices – One Nature: UN Environment launches a dialogue series on the power of communications in biodiversity conservation
In April 2018, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) organized a first of its kind debate on biodiversity communications. Hosted by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, the event brought together communications professionals, journalists, biodiversity experts, and the private sector to identify the challenges behind effective biodiversity advocacy and how to avoid fragmentation and competing messaging for coherence and impact. Read more...
UN Environment promotes effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in the Democratic Republic of Congo
UN Environment, in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility, is supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo to strengthen the national legal and regulatory frameworks that enable access to genetic resources and benefit sharing in accordance with the provisions of the Convention of Biological Diversity. Read more...
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The 10th African Elephant Fund Steering Committee meeting hosted by Government of Botswana
Synergy among Sustainable Development Goals and biodiversity-related conventions in Bahrain
Environmental Security
Environmental crime has become the world's fourth largest crime sector, growing at 2-3 times the rate of the global economy. INTERPOL and UN Environment estimate that natural resources worth up to US$258 billion are being stolen by criminal syndicates, depriving countries of their resources, revenues and development opportunities. UN Environment is working with judges, prosecutors, and enforcement agencies to strengthen national capacities to respond to environmental crimes.
Environmental crime education soon to be available to African prosecutors
In April 2018, UN Environment and the Africa Prosecutors Association devised an approach for developing and integrating environmental crime education in prosecutor trainings in Africa. At a subsequent meeting in May this year, the two bodies agreed to continue their collaborative efforts in the development and roll-out of training manuals and curricula on environmental crime prosecution. Read more...
UN Environment promotes chemicals control globally
The establishment and implementation of legal frameworks that support chemicals safety and their implementation, is still lacking in many countries. To support countries in establishing chemicals control, UN Environment is in the process of developing legal frameworks that are complementary to the existing guidelines to help government officials working to implement legal and institutional structures nationally for the sound management of chemicals. Read more...
UN Environment educates officials in Rwanda on the Biosafety Clearing House
UN Environment in collaboration with The Rwanda Environment Authority (REMA) organized the first National Biosafety Clearing House capacity building workshop in Rwanda, March 2018, with the objective to create a common understanding among stakeholders of the format for the Biosafety Clearing House records, and to enhance national competencies to use it. Read more...
UN Environment trains Latin American officials on the Biosafety Clearing House
UN Environment organized a training in April 2018, in Uruguay, on Biosafety to increase and sustain the participation of officials in Latin America in the Biosafety Clearing House established under Article 20 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The meeting enhanced the capacity of the officials' knowledge of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and assisted them to develop national and regional strategies to increase participation in the Biosafety Clearing House. Read more...
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Call for nominations for the Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards 2018
Consumer research findings on ivory and tiger products in Thailand
The Global Goals
UN Environment is uniquely positioned to help countries establish and strengthen policy, legal and institutional measures, to achieve the Sustainable Development and other global environmental goals. We provide governments with guidance, expertise and tools on environmental laws, policy and regulation, as well as assist them to meet their environmental commitments to people and planet.
UN Environment collaborates with Rwanda and Egypt to build capacity for national implementation of global environmental conventions
In March 2018, UN Environment, the Centre for Governance and Sustainability of the University of Massachusetts Boston, and the Governments of Rwanda and Egypt met to find ways of enhancing capacity for national implementation of global environmental conventions and agreed to develop case studies for the two countries interested in serving as hubs for collaboration on national implementation of the Global Environmental Conventions. Read more...
Judges and Prosecutors engage in the 8th World Water Forum
The Conference of Judges and Prosecutors on Water Justice, held during the 8th World Water Forum in Brasilia, brought together, for the first time, over 140 distinguished participants from over 60 countries to engage in high-level discussions on the management, use, and protection of freshwater resources. Read more...
UN Environment strengthens implementation of international environmental governance
UN Environment held a forum with several government Officials in Switzerland, September 2017, with the objective to enhance its initiatives and its governing bodies to better meet the demands of the international community in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This was done in collaboration with the Brazilian Government. Read more...
Fourth session of the African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development focuses on transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies
The fourth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, held in Dakar, 2-4 May 2018, had the objective of strengthening the implementation plan of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, including the integrated voluntary national review and reporting processes. Read more...
Montevideo IV: Towards the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly
UN Environment is organizing a series of regional consultations for Montevideo national focal points to share and exchange information on latest developments, trends, and good practices in the development and enforcement of environmental law in their respective countries. This will allow UN Environment to identify national and regional priorities, in view of the development of the next phase of the Programme. Read more...
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Enhancing Collective Intelligence on International Agreements that Protect our Planet
Pollution
Pollution is the cause of 16 percent of all deaths and costs over a trillion dollars yearly. UN Environment assists countries in reducing pollution by adopting cleaner policies, technologies and standards. We provide countries with the opportunity to commit to global environmental policies that will help eliminate pollution and its threats.
Eight months on, is the world's most drastic plastic bag ban working?
Kenya’s ban comes with the world’s stiffest fines and some businesses are struggling to find affordable alternatives, but in Nairobi’s shanty towns, the clean-up is changing lives. A year after Kenya announced the world’s toughest ban on plastic bags, and eight months after it was introduced, the authorities are claiming victory – so much so that other east African nations Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan are considering following suit. Read more...
UN Environment concerned over pollution allegations by the Sterlite Copper Limited
India is studying the fallout of protests against billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Ltd.’s copper unit in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu and is evaluating its future policy response for polluting industries. The Head of UN Environment, Erik Solheim – in an interview - expressed his concern over the violence and loss of life at Tuticorin. He said that no one should die in the pursuit of environment fairness and that the police should have shown restraint and not resorted to violence. Read more...
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Climate Change
For effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, climate law-making is essential. UN Environment supports the review and reform of existing laws to enable countries to consider climate change proactively and address climate risks. We help ensure that this work involves all stakeholders, as all sectors of the economy and society are at risk from climate change.
Asia Pacific Judicial Colloquium on climate justice
In February 2018, a Judicial colloquium was held in Lahore, Pakistan, to build the capacity of judges in Asia Pacific to help achieve climate justice and advance human dignity. The meeting was part of a global judicial programme delivered in partnership with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Professor John H. Knox, to enhance judicial capacity in environmental constitutionalism, identify gaps and opportunities, and support judges worldwide. Read more...
New law and climate change toolkit to guide the implementation of the Paris Agreement
The Law and Climate Change Toolkit is an online and open database being developed by a partnership amomg several stakeholders including the UN Environment and UN Climate Change secretariat, with the objective to provide a global resource that will help countries put in place the legal frameworks necessary for effective domestic implementation of the Paris Agreement and their Nationally Determined Contributions. Read more...
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Strengthening National Legal Frameworks to Implement the Paris Agreement
MEDIA & ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW RESOURCES
New Resources
Environmental Rights Initiative (Fact-sheet, Concept Note, Partnership Note)
Multimedia
Events
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