UNEA-6: Environmental challenges call for ambitious, global solutions

By Marxine Waite

By Alison Grace

How the United Nations sets the environmental agenda

Every two years, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) meets under the auspices of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). All 193 UN Member States, joined by civil society and industry representatives, focus on finding solutions to common environmental challenges. The sixth session of UNEA took place in February 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.

As an accredited observer of UNEP, ECOS is involved in drafting resolutions (the primary outcome of UN meetings). We attend to monitor negotiations, give technical feedback, and share information with those in charge of drafting to advocate strong environmental principles.

UNEA-6: A snapshot

With concern growing for environmental issues, many broad and critical discussions were tabled for negotiation at UNEA-6, such as climate change action, chemical pollution, waste, and the impacts of war and conflict on the environment.

ECOS contributed in many different ways – for instance, by providing input to global NGO position statements (including opening/closing statements on the preparatory meetings, and opening/closing statements on the full proceedings). Together with other NGOs, we called for urgent international environmental action, citing the transboundary nature of environmental impacts, especially on vulnerable communities and countries that are less able to adapt to environmental challenges.

To help put these calls into action, we focused on six of the 21 resolutions, only one of which emerged with a positive result.

The good

The resolution on the sound management of chemicals and waste is ambitious and action oriented. It will provide a new multisectoral and multi-stakeholder framework for managing chemicals – with good involvement of civil society. The inclusion of target dates for phasing out toxic chemicals will play an important role in promoting cleaner alternatives. We particularly support the importance this resolution gives to the ‘Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste’.

The bad

The NGO community also pushed for more ambition in the remaining five resolutions ECOS contributed to. However, two were not adopted at all due to a lack of consensus – on accelerating the circular economy transition and on setting criteria, norms, standards, and guidelines to implement nature-based solutions. These could have addressed pressing problems like damaging production patterns in the global north, e-waste, and the (too limited) role of civil society, so the outcome is disappointing.

The remaining resolutions were watered down so much that they lost (almost) all ambition.

We had called for better management of highly hazardous pesticides, advocating a commitment to phase them out. Unfortunately, with little support for the position of NGOs, this did not happen after facing resistance from countries that produce such products. However, the resolution does acknowledge the impacts of hazardous chemicals on the environment – the bare minimum it could have achieved.

The ugly

Instead of focusing on shared international responsibility, the resolution on harmonised approaches to addressing the triple planetary crisis emphasised the national level – an approach that is not as coordinated as we need. In addition, the resolution on combatting desertification and land degradation promoted the concerning concept of ‘land degradation neutrality’. This could result in policies that cause land degradation in some areas while ‘compensating’ in others, potentially causing irreversible damage to ecosystems.

Looking to the future

With some resolutions withdrawn, some failing to reach consensus, and others watered down, the environmental ambition of UNEA-6 leaves much to be desired. Economic considerations were often prioritised over the environment, with Member States frequently steering away from truly international solutions and responsibility. However, one positive outcome was the steady and increased engagement with civil society stakeholders.

While not legally binding, the adopted resolutions guide the implementation of environmental solutions across UN Member States, which committed to addressing the most pertinent environmental challenges. They also cited support for some legally binding initiatives, notably on plastic pollution and chemicals, which would be positive developments.

National governments must now honour the commitments they have made and push for greater environmental ambition through local policy and legislation.

From our headquarters in Brussels and our office in Nairobi, ECOS will continue to advocate stronger environmental ambition, exploring opportunities to influence future environmental policy at UNEA through collaboration with like-minded organisations. Is that you? Get in touch!