The recent Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) was a pivotal gathering, bringing together the world’s environmental decision-makers to reinforce actions for nature in realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. The assembly operated under the overarching theme: “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”, hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Following UNEA-5, a landmark session “UNEP@50” will commemorate UNEP’s 50th anniversary where critical discussions on how to construct a resilient and inclusive post-pandemic world are expected to take place.
About the United Nations Environment Assembly
The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the governing body of the United Nations Environment Programme. As the world’s supreme decision-making body on the environment, it consists of all 193 UN Member States and convenes biennially to elevate global environmental governance. The creation of UNEA dates back to June 2012 during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, colloquially known as RIO+20.
Key Resolutions from the Session
There were notable resolutions made during UNEA-5, central amongst them being a resolution to end plastic pollution. This agreement involves the formation of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, tasked with the development of a legally binding international agreement to tackle plastic pollution. Other resolutions covered areas such as chemical and waste management, nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, minerals, and metals management, sustainable lake management, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, animal welfare, biodiversity and health, nitrogen waste reduction and post-Covid recovery measures.
Resolution to End Plastic Pollution
This resolution yielded an accord to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), mandated to develop an international, legally binding agreement to eradicate plastic pollution. The INC is set to commence its work in 2022, aiming to finalize a draft global legally binding agreement by the end of 2024.
Resolution on Management of Chemicals and Waste
This resolution supports the formation of an extensive, ambitious science-policy panel dedicated to the sound management of chemicals and waste. It highlights humanity’s failure in managing chemicals and waste, a problem exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and its induced surge in single-use plastics and disinfectant chemicals usage.
Resolution on Sustainable Lake Management, Biodiversity and Health, Nitrogen Waste Reduction, and Post-Covid Measures
Other resolutions cover a range of areas from sustainable lake management, which calls for member states to integrate lakes into national and regional development plans, to the reduction of health risks associated with the trade in live wildlife. Others call for significant reduction in nitrogen waste from all sources, especially through agricultural practices.
India’s Draft Resolution
India brought forward a draft resolution aimed at addressing plastic product pollution, including single-use plastic product pollution. The draft urged for immediate collective voluntary action by countries. Nonetheless, India has conceded to the creation of an INC for a new, international, and legally binding treaty. This INC is expected to present an agreed-upon instrument to address the full lifecycle of plastics and promote reusable and recyclable products and materials, facilitated by enhanced international collaboration.
