Environment Committee

The committee in the United Nations that is linked to environmental issues is the Committee on Environment and Development, also known as United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It addresses problems such as measures and strategies that: promote economic and social development through environmental sustainability (bearing in mind climate change mitigation and adaption), enable the sustainable management of natural resources such as water, and encourage “inclusive and sustainable urban development” according to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The Headquarters of UNEP is in Nairobi (Kenya), and they are led by Executive Director Erik Solheim and Deputy Executive Director Ibrahim Thiaw.

The main thematic areas of work of UNEP are seven: climate change, disasters and conflicts, ecosystem management, environmental governance, chemicals and waste, resource efficiency, and environment under review. The organization’s aim is to solve all seven of these issues in a sustainable way with benefits to the environment, the world’s population, and the future generations, who are most likely to be affected negatively by today’s environmental problems.

In all 6 regions of the world, UN Environment has very specific policies that try to solve the issues mentioned above:

- Africa – this continent is encountering extremely serious environmental challenges such as deforestation, land degradation, loss of biodiversity and vulnerability to global warming. Africa is rich in flora, fauna and natural resources, as it hosts around 40% of gold, 30% of mineral reserves, 8% of gas, 12% of oil reserves, 90% of chromium and platinum, 65% of arable land and 10% of water sources. In most countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the economy and wealth rely on forests, woodlands, and land, and people are dependent on nature for their lives. However, many resources are used unsustainably, and others are used illegally, causing an annual $195 billion loss of its natural capital (including nature, resources, and wildlife). Moreover, Africa is home to nearly 15% of the world’s population and a very large number of rare and iconic species. Due to illegal activities, some of these species are in the way towards extinction, and ecosystems are being destroyed. Besides, another issue in this continent is the death of 2,2 million Africans per year because they either live or work in unhealthy conditions and environments. UN Environment is active in trying to solve these issues and, every year, it produces an annual report to explain them and to emphasize the need for governments to solve the problems. Africa Office helps these governments make decisions and ideas that promote natural resources and it supports the implementations of these solutions to enable the protection and preservation of the environment, but also to boost economy and employment and to reduce poverty.

- Asia and Pacific – nations in Asia and the Pacific are in a very critical situation as the ever-increasing population already makes up 60% of the world’s people and, in this area, we can find 7 of 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change. Not only population but also the economy is growing at a fast rate, even though some countries are still very poor. In most countries, there is an increasing demand for resources and services due to the augmented population, causing sustainability and the limited use of natural resources complicated. Even though problems regarding sustainability, pollution, and global warming are current issues in Asia and the Pacific, various states have created new policies, such as Bhutan, Thailand, and China. Furthermore, UN Environment is active in Asia Pacific to seek growth and social and economic benefits while respecting the environment. In addition, they collaborate to follow the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and to cooperate with institutions and the private sector at a local, regional and national level.

- Europe – this region considers 54 countries, most of which are in a good economic situation but in a critical environmental one. Every year, 600,000 premature deaths are caused by pollution and, according to UN Environment, “1/3 of Europeans live in countries where water resources are under pressure”. Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is denied to almost 100 million people, disasters and conflicts linked to natural resources are becoming more frequent, and chemicals and waste are affecting negatively nature and ecosystems. The United Nations collaborates with Europe in order to build a green economy that can lead to the improvement of living conditions without impacting future generations. Therefore, the organization collaborates and advises countries, the private sectors, and societies to use renewable energy technologies, sustainable but effective public transport, sustainable agriculture, and production. Moreover, the Geneva Environment Network (GEN) – a partnership of different organizations and institutions that work together to achieve sustainable development – promotes collaboration and networking with its members. Although Europe’s development is not entirely eco-friendly, there are many new partners from various sectors that are trying to reach this goal: they really want to see an improvement in the quality of life for us and the future generations.

- Latin America and the Caribbean – this area is characterized by an amazing biodiversity and luxuriant nature, that contribute massively to its economy. More than 20% of the land and sea are protected, and it is an area that contributes to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions only by 10%. However, pollution is a problem for more than 80% of the population, and the effects of climate change are very visible, having had a $100 billion cost in 2015. This whole region is divided into 4 main sub-regions: Mesoamerica, Caribbean, Andean region and Southern Cone. In Panama City, UN Environment created a Latin America and Caribbean Office, which comprises 600 million people. This entity advocates, facilitates and calls for the appropriate use of natural resources and for sustainable development and it serves the needs of the region inside the limit of the respect of the environment.

- North America – this region is rich in biodiversity and wilderness, and it is also innovative in its strategies in favor of the environment. In Canada, 2/3 of electricity comes from renewable sources as this production is facilitated by the abundant presence of water and hydroelectric plants. Nevertheless, it still needs to solve issues such as climate change, chemical contamination, and environmental damage in the Arctic (which links to the melting of glaciers, meaning the rising of sea levels and the extinction of species). The UN Environment North American Office is located in Washington D.C., and it was created in the year 2000. Its main role is building partnerships on environmental problems that would not only permit collaboration within North America but also internationally. In order to realize this project, the UN are: actively collaborating with governments by keeping them informed on the organization’s work, creating new partnerships and adding contributors to the existing ones in order to gain new ideas and to communicate with the rest of the world, enabling easier contact with the private sector, emphasizing the active participation in UN Environment’s policy processes and activities among the society sector.

- West Asia – This region, which includes a population of around 30 million, is crucial for the rest of the globe for oil supply, but it suffers from water scarcity. ¾ of the 12 countries in this region encounter this problem, provoking conflicts. Therefore, this area needs primarily peace to live in a harmonious and stable society, as well as prosperity and a better environmental governance. The UN Environment West Asia Office, found in Bahrain, aims at advising countries and encouraging partnerships to care for the environment to improve living conditions and facilitate sustainable development. Besides, an important role played by the UN Environment’s Office is communication between the countries in West Asia and UN Environment centers or even other organizations throughout the world.

Biennially, the United Nations Environment Assembly meets to discuss the environmental challenges that are faced in all 6 regions. In this assembly, priorities are set for environmental policies and law and resolutions are debated. According to UNEP, the UN Environment Assembly “is the world’s largest decision-making body on the environment”, always bearing in mind “the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (more information of the 2030 Agenda on https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld).