Regulations

Moving towards the end of plastic pollution

Over 2,500 in-person and virtual delegates from 147 countries, engaged in the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The meeting set the foundation to shape the global instrument to end plastic pollution, with many governments confirming their desire to have an instrument that addresses the full life cycle of plastics, protecting human health and the environment, with special attention paid to the unique circumstances of those countries most in need.

Environmental experts lay the groundwork for a solution-focused GEO-7

Over 300 experts from around the world met between September and October 2022 to officially launch the production of the 7th edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7), the flagship report of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The GEO-7, expected to be presented to the 7th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) by 2026, provides an integrated and holistic environmental assessment of pathways to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Nature-based Solutions can generate 20 million new jobs, but “just transition” policies needed

Twenty million jobs could be created by further harnessing the power of nature to address major challenges facing society, such as climate change, disaster risk, and food and water insecurity.

Global study weighs up environmental risks and economic benefits of major transport projects

Environmental scientists have carried out the first standardised global review of the potential risks and benefits to people and nature from planned road and rail projects. The study reveals that holistic planning of major road and railway infrastructure can better protect nature, mitigate emissions and enhance economic benefit.

New UNEP report provides actions to minimize adverse impacts on health and environment from pesticides and fertilizers

A report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) provides new insights on actions stakeholders could take to minimize the adverse impacts of pesticides and fertilizers to human and environment health.

Higher education sector commits to reverse biodiversity decline through worldwide Nature Positive Universities Alliance

During the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), the University of Oxford and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announce a new global initiative to drive the world’s higher education sector towards a greener future as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Through the Nature Positive Universities Alliance, 117 Universities have already taken an official pledge and begun assessing their environmental impact, in order to make tailored actions to improve their ecological footprint on our planet.
A further 408 Universities worldwide have joined the broader Nature Positive University network to work together for nature on their campuses, supported by a global student ambassador programme
At the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), the University of Oxford and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the launch of the Nature Positive Universities Alliance – a global network of universities that have made an official pledge to advance efforts to halt, prevent and reverse nature loss through addressing their own impacts and restoring ecosystems harmed by their activities. This push is part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a movement to avert climate catastrophe and mass extinction.

Cities call for increased investment to halt and reverse nature loss

As the largest biodiversity conference in a decade kicked off in Montreal, mayors from 15 cities around the world called for increased direct financing to allow cities to implement ambitious greening and ecosystem restoration projects.

UN recognizes 10 pioneering initiatives that are restoring the natural world

Efforts from Central America to East Asia honoured as World Restoration Flagships
Initiatives now eligible to receive United Nations-backed promotion, advice or funding
Unveiled at gala event featuring Dr. Jane Goodall, Jason Momoa, Li Bingbing, Filipe Toledo, Frida Amani, Edward Norton, Ellie Goulding and more

UN bolsters environmental governance, training to reduce footprint

United Nations entities strengthened their environmental governance and training for staff in 2021, signaling another year of steady progress towards improving the organization’s environmental sustainability, according to a new report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Inside the rebirth of South America’s Atlantic Forest

Standing amid his yerba mate plants, Paraguayan farmer Eger Báez is not breaking a sweat despite a mid-morning temperature approaching 30°C. That’s because his valuable organic crop is shaded by a host of trees.

Armenia steps up adaptation to the climate crisis

Armenia, a mountainous, landlocked country in the South Caucasus, is one of the most vulnerable countries in Europe and Central Asia to climate change. The nation’s average temperature has risen by more than 1.2°C since 1929, and changing climatic patterns have caused the degradation of important landscapes, including watersheds and wetlands.