Governance

The current system of global environmental governance reflects the challenge of assembling cooperation among the international community, even on environmental matters that all agree require common action. There are three elements to global environmental governance. One element is comprised of intergovernmental organizations within the United Nations system, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which are responsible for developing and coordinating environmental and sustainable development policy at the international level. A second element is the framework of international environmental law, which takes the form of a large number of environmental treaties. These treaties, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, are legally binding agreements that call on countries to take joint action on environmental problems. A third element is the financing mechanism to build capacity to carry out treaty commitments, to supplement national efforts toward sustainable development in poorer countries, and to support the UN agencies and treaty secretariats that coordinate and carry out environmental efforts. These include the bilateral development assistance, the World Bank, other regional development banks, UN funds like the UN, the Global Environment Facility, philanthropies, and the private sector.

Events and Articles

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Showing 1 - 10 of 431 results

Governance in Drylands: A Vision for a Just Land Transition

A Just Land Transition would enable restoration of drylands while ensuring jobs, agricultural productivity, and social safety nets. Realizing this vision, speakers suggested, will require not only funding but also empowering community-based and women-led organizations.
Event 6 December 2024

16th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (COP 16)

While delegates did not adopt a decision to negotiate a framework or protocol on drought, many strong and groundbreaking decisions were adopted, including on gender, agriculture, civil society participation, rangelands and pastoralists, and land tenure, and science.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 2 December 2024 - 13 December 2024

UN Climate Change Conference Baku - November 2024

After tense talks, parties agreed on a new climate finance goal. But many argued the USD 300 billion/year was an “insult.” While parties adopted decisions on the carbon markets under the Paris Agreement, on many other issues—including the energy transition—they remained deadlocked. (Français, español, 日本語)
Conference of the Parties (COP) 11 November 2024 - 22 November 2024

13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (COP13) and 36th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP36)

Delegates will tackle key questions in enhancing the protection of both ozone layer and climate, including how parties will fund atmospheric monitoring sites to bridge information gaps, manage remaining emissions of controlled substances, and address uncertainties about substances not controlled by the Protocol.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 27 October 2024 - 1 November 2024

Global Sustainable Development Report 2023 Regional Dissemination Workshop

The GSDR compiles scientific and other evidence on transformations and provides a framework for assessing, managing, and accelerating transformations that can inform the development of national plans for integrated SDG implementation and monitoring. A recent workshop aimed to deepen knowledge of the GSDR's applicability in the Asia and Pacific region.
Event 22 October 2024 - 24 October 2024

SDG Moment 2024

Held immediately following the Summit of the Future, the 2024 event brought together diverse voices to discuss how to reinvigorate the 2030 Agenda and the global governance system that underpins it.
Event 24 September 2024

Summit of the Future

Acknowledging the multilateral system is broken, many speakers said with slow progress or regression on the Sustainable Development Goals, the Summit should be seen as a last-ditch effort to turn the tide and reimagine a system of global governance that works for all.
Event 22 September 2024 - 23 September 2024

High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2024)

Against a troubling geopolitical backdrop, the annual session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development will convene under the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises" while 38 countries will present SDG progress reports.
Event 8 July 2024 - 17 July 2024

Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) at UNEA-6

Serving as the prep meeting for major groups and stakeholders attending the UN Environment Assembly, talks will be organized around the UNEA-6 theme of “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.”
Event 24 February 2024 - 25 February 2024