From species extinction to extreme weather, the planet is in crisis. In the last week of February 2021, world leaders, scientists, businesses and civil society will convene to address some of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet.
Hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) is the world’s highest decision-making body on the environment. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global decision makers will participate online.
UNEA-5 will focus on the role nature plays in sustainable development and how strategic green COVID-19 recovery plans can accelerate the transition to an inclusive, prosperous, low carbon and healthier future.
Mr. Sveinung Rotevatn of Norway is President of UNEA-5. Ahead of the global forum, he outlined his thoughts and aspirations for the upcoming session.
How can trade and investment relationships incentivize the circular economy while also ensuring access to markets for countries in the Global South? Could UNEA be a platform for economic discussions about natural resources, industrial transformation and the emergence of a global green economy?
A circular economy approach provides opportunities both for the economy and the environment. Global consumption of all consumable materials is expected to double by 2060 – we need to reduce that.
Circular economy policies are linked to international trade through global supply chains, including value chains for material re-use. Trade can contribute to a circular economy by creating opportunities for materials to be better used. At the same time, we must avoid trade that harms the environment.
UNEA has an important role in catalysing action on the circular economy. This includes exploring ways to use resources more efficiently, reusing waste, and improving border control to tackle environmental crime and illegal trade in waste. Important work is already taking place, for example, under the Basel Convention.
UNEA can also help enable cooperation across sectors and industries; support global policies; and support the development of a normative framework on the circular economy. This work would make an important contribution to fulfilling many of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Five years ago, world leaders signed the ambitious Paris Agreement. UNEP’s 2020 Emissions Gap Report revealed that despite that commitment, we are globally off track from the goal of limiting temperature rise to well below 2° Celsius. Do you think UNEA can reinvigorate momentum and galvanize multilateralism for the environment?
The Paris Agreement was a landmark achievement. Within this decade we need to dramatically reduce emissions. Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is fundamental to avoid the severe and multiple risks posed by climate change.
Global cooperation is essential to achieve climate targets. A global transformation will be a challenging process but will also offer many opportunities. The benefits of a low-emission development pathway will be far greater than the costs.
It is a political responsibility to ensure that new opportunities can be used. The SDGs highlight that we cannot eliminate poverty unless we also safeguard nature and halt climate change.
UNEA can support and help give direction to the transition to a low-carbon and resilient future. We all need to work together to keep strong climate ambitions on the international agenda. We need to promote win-win solutions for climate, nature, economies and health.
Norway has embarked on an ambitious carbon capture and storage initiative through its Longship program. Tell us more about it.
Carbon capture and storage will be necessary on a large scale if we are to meet the climate targets in the Paris Agreement. Longship is an effective means for Norway to reduce its global greenhouse gas emissions in the long term – at the lowest possible cost. It is demonstrating that full-scale carbon capture and storage is possible. It is our ambition that the project will contribute to the sharing of knowledge and technologies, which will hopefully lead to cost reductions for future projects.
It is important to listen to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Also, parties to the Paris Agreement need to set ambitious goals and invest in projects that are necessary to reach the climate goals.
To what end can UNEA contribute to global discussions about environmental justice and the intersection between environmental protection and social justice? How are these issues linked to the Sustainable Development Goals?
UNEA has the mandate to foster conversations about emerging environmental issues that need special attention. The interconnection between environmental degradation and social justice is concerning. The most vulnerable amongst us are also the ones that are most severely affected by climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Environmental justice requires fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people. Development, implementation and enforcement processes need to be transparent and inclusive.
UNEP has, over many years, worked to establish and strengthen environmental law. This is essential for good environmental governance. Without good governance there can be no justice, and hence no sustainable development.
Environmental degradation weakens opportunities for the coming generations. Meaningful engagement with the most affected groups is critical to find solutions that leave no one behind. I am looking forward to interacting with youth and other stakeholders in the lead-up to UNEA.
To progress on environmental justice, we must continue to ensure our efforts on the environment are more gender-inclusive and mutually reinforcing of the protection of human rights. Environmental rights defenders must also be protected.
Previous UN Environment Assemblies have adopted resolutions relevant to these questions. And we must continue this work. Strengthening implementation is a key next step.
