In times of tension, look to 45 years of cooperation for clean air

As temperatures in the Northern hemisphere plunge and geopolitical relations continue to fracture and freeze, winter is also when air pollution is at its worst. But faced with complex environmental crises and tensions between countries, history can show us that the international community can come together to cooperate on environmental issues, even at the most difficult times. Indeed, when scientists in Europe understood that the acid rain responsible for the dieback of forests and loss of life in lakes was caused by air pollution that travelled thousands of kilometers, it became clear that only collective action would suffice. So, at the height of the Cold War in 1979, 32 states from both sides of the Iron Curtain, including the Soviet Union, the majority of Western European countries, the US and Canada, signed the UNECE Air Convention. The achievements of the 51 Parties to the Convention in the region over the last 45 years have been no less than remarkable: emissions reductions by 50-80% since 1990,  1 additional year of life expectancy, and 600,000 lives saved annually. Tackling some pollutants that are both bad for air quality and contribute to climate change - such as black carbon (soot) and ground-level ozone precursors - at the same time, the Convention is also supporting integrated approaches for clean air and climate action. Read more

Environment

Parties to Espoo Convention and its Protocol adopt declaration stressing the key role of both treaties in accelerating the sustainable energy transition and the SDGs

After a year-long deferral, the Parties to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment (the Espoo Convention) and its Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (the Protocol on SEA) again met at the resumed sessions of the Meetings of the Parties to the Espoo Convention and the protocol on SEA, on 10 December 2024. The resumed meetings successfully concluded their decision-making process with respect to applying the Convention to lifetime extensions of nuclear power plants. They also adopted the Geneva Declaration, which highlights the potential of the Convention and its Protocol to accelerate sustainable energy transitions, promote carbon neutrality, biodiversity conservation, and the circular economy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, including in marine regions. It also calls for enhanced cooperation with regional sea conventions to effectively apply the Convention and Protocol to the protection of the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, the Declaration highlights the importance of the treaties for the green reconstruction of Ukraine. The Parties also welcomed France and Greece as new members to the Protocol, further strengthening the community of states committed to the Protocol’s objectives. Read more

Forests

UNECE showcases land-friendly fashion alternatives at COP-16

To achieve a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion industry, there is a pressing need to adopt more sustainable sourcing practices, regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. By prioritizing these approaches, we can improve soil health, reduce land degradation, and minimize water consumption in textile production. Low-impact fibers, such as wood-based alternatives, for example, offer a promising alternative. The UN Convention to Combat Desertification recently hosted a groundbreaking event on the critical link between fashion and land degradation at its 16th Conference of Parties in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organized by UNCCD, UN Environment Programme , United Nations Economic Commission for Europe , the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, the Sustainable Fibre Alliance , and the Fashion Commission of Saudi Arabia, the event brought together experts and high-level participants to discuss innovative solutions for a more sustainable fashion industry. The event highlighted key measures such as the need for circular economy models, including recycling, upcycling, and extended product life, as well as policy and regulatory frameworks that can drive sustainable practices across the fashion value chain. It also emphasized that consumers need to be better informed about the environmental and social impact of fashion. Read more

Season's Greetings

Energy

EU Raw Materials Week highlights UNFC and UNRMS role for sustainable resource management

Faced with high demand for critical minerals, the integration of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources and UN Resource Management System (UNFC and UNRMS, developed at UNECE) can help to link resource security and sustainability. Aiming to seize this potential, the 7th event on UNFC and UNRMS at the European Union Raw Materials Week in Brussels will further support Europe’s journey toward securing a sustainable supply of critical raw materials. Held as part of the EU Raw Materials Week 2024, discussions focused on the role of UNFC in supporting the implementation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). Co-organized by UNECE, DG GROW, EuroGeoSurveys , WEEE Forum , and @Horizon Europe projects "Geological Service for Europe" (GSEU) and FutuRaM, the event strengthened collaboration among key stakeholders, including policymakers, national authorities, and resource management experts. Discussions centered on how UNFC can drive coherence, transparency, and efficiency in CRMA implementation, securing sustainable European raw materials value chains and contributing to the EU green and just transition goals. Read more

Forests

UNECE and partners advocate for urban forestry solutions in dry cities at COP-16

A high-level event at UNCCD COP-16 on Dry Lands, Green Cities: United for Urban Land Restoration brought together experts from around the world to explore innovative solutions for urban trees and forest in arid regions. Organized by UNECE and the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition, the event highlighted the potential of urban trees to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. Key takeaways included: scaling up urban forestry; the power of local action; international collaboration; policy integration; financing the future of urban forests; and the need for a multi-stakeholder approach. Following the event, the UNECE Trees in Dry Cities Coalition will develop guidance on integrating urban and peri-urban trees and forests into national policies and plan under international conventions ( UN Convention to Combat Desertification ; UN Climate Change ; and UN Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD). The Coalition will also identify potential funding concepts in 2025. Read more

Energy

UN and EU collaborate to align critical minerals governance with global principles

With demand for minerals critical to renewable energy technologies expected to almost triple by 2030, global and regional leaders gathered at the European Union Raw Materials Week 2024 to address the critical challenge governing mineral resources essential for the energy transition. In a key session, United Nations agencies and the European Commission spotlighted the UN Panel’s Principles for Critical Energy Transition Mineral (CETM), outlining a roadmap to ground the clean energy transition in justice and equity and ensure sustainable, equitable, and transparent CETM value chains while fostering stronger partnerships between resource-producing and consuming nations and relevant stakeholders. The “Equitable and Just Energy Transition: Implementing UN Principles on Critical Energy Transition Minerals" session highlighted the urgency of leveraging global and regional partnerships to ensure the opportunities of the global energy transition are pursued with equity, justice and sustainability. Read more

Environment

Pollutant release and transfer registers: an effective tool for a better environment, health and circular economy

Risks to human health and the environment from pollution of air, water and land remain among the greatest challenges we face today. Despite the many efforts by a variety of stakeholders to reduce levels of pollution, people continue, often without knowing, to breathe poor-quality air that reduces life expectancy, or to drink water contaminated with substances that harm health. Knowledge of air, soil and water quality and the sources from which pollutants are released into the environment enables us to react to pollution threats, focusing our action on reducing and preventing pollution. Pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs) help countries to generate and share such information with stakeholders and decision-makers. The recent Fourth Global Round Table provided a forum in which to exchange experiences in PRTR development and celebrated the long-standing cooperation between the two major intergovernmental bodies dealing with PRTRs, the OECD - OCDE Working Party on PRTRs and the Working Group of the Parties to the Protocol on PRTRs under the UNECE Aarhus Convention. Read more

In the Media

The Guardian - Britain leads the world in cracking down on climate activism, study finds

Dawn - Devastating impact of climate change highlighted

Euractiv - EU-funded NGOs resist new lobbying restrictions 

Corriere dell'Economia - The 43rd UN/CEFACT Forum at CNEL: focus on sustainability and digital commerce

Upcoming Events

Joint meeting of the Working Parties on Rail Transport and on Intermodal Transport and Logistics 

16 - 17 December 2024  

Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles

20 - 24 January 2025 

Joint Meeting of Experts on the Regulations annexed to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways 

27 - 31 January 2025