From action on climate, biodiversity, health, gender equality and more, world leaders, academics, young activists and others turned their attention to the United Nations in September with the need to work together for a sustainable future a common refrain.
For the first time in the history of the annual event, global leaders were not able to meet in person for the General Assembly’s annual debate, but the 193-Member body’s President, Türkiye’s Volkan Bozkir, said in his closing remarks that the COVID-19 pandemic “did not prevent multilateralism from operating at the highest levels.”
“The pandemic has diverted resources and attention. But climate change, is still the greatest long-term threat to humanity,” he said, noting that as fires rage, sea-levels rise, and biodiversity is lost, there is even greater urgency in pursuing our climate goals and integrating them in our plans “to build back better from the pandemic.”
Below is a recap from an environmental standpoint, with examples of how the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and issues on its agenda, were featured.
75th Anniversary of the UN
An online timeline of environmental milestones highlights how UNEP has served as an authoritative advocate for the global environment since 1972, inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UN Biodiversity Summit
A record number of countries - nearly 150 countries and 72 Heads of State and Government - addressed the first ever Summit held on biodiversity to build political momentum towards the next meeting of the conference of parties for the Convention on Biodiversity (COP15) in Kunming, China next year.
In his opening remarks, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined three priorities for conserving and sustainably managing biodiversity:
- nature-based solutions must be embedded in COVID-19 recovery and wider development plans,
- economic systems and financial markets must account for and invest in nature, and
- secure the most ambitious policies and targets that protect biodiversity and leave no one behind.
Senior UN officials, including UNEP’s Inger Andersen, took part in a fireside chat outlining what’s ahead for those working on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Check out this live coverage of the summit from the UN News Centre, including dispatches from nominees for this year’s cohort of Young Champions of the Earth from Angola, Kenya and Saudi Arabia.
Also featured at the event was the “Voices for Nature” segment highlighting initiatives and commitments for protecting the rich tapestry of life on planet earth.
From reforestation to education about the impacts of and other efforts to restore biodiversity, world leaders and other attendees saw how games are, and will continue to be, key interactive ways to call attention to why it’s time to act now for nature. These gaming industry activations came to be thanks to the first-ever UNEP-supported #Playing for the Planet “Green Game Jam,” which took place earlier this year with Sony, Rovio, Pixelberry and other companies committing to integrate environmentally-themed storylines and missions into their games. With this important support, a potential 250 million people are being mobilized for sustainable development.
The full summit may be watched online:
Ahead of the summit political leaders from dozens of countries issued a pledge for nature, highlighting that the pandemic demonstrates the importance of the relationship between people and nature.
Climate emergency
The High-Level UN Climate Change Roundtable, featuring UN chief António Guterres, was designed to rally momentum for more ambitious action to limit global warming and to showcase the vast benefits or recovering from the pandemic in a sustainable way, that helps to limit global warming to 1.5C or lower.
Also announced were plans for the UN and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to co-host a “landmark global event” on 12 December, the fifth anniversary of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. In 2021, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will be held in Glasgow.
Nature for Life hub
This four-day online Nature for Life Hub, co-organized by the UN Development Programme, UNEP, and a number of other supporters, was billed as an opportunity to hear from political and corporate leaders, the world’s youth, indigenous and community leaders, local authorities and cutting-edge thinkers, leaders and practitioners. Speakers discussed these themes:
- Recognizing the value of nature in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
- Greening our wallets in development, finance and business
- Creating a planetary response to our planetary emergency
- Celebrating the power of local action on nature for development
For example, one session served as a preview for how an upcoming landmark UNEP report that will look at how to fix the climate, prevent a mass extinction and set a course for a sustainable future – all at the same time.
Also featured at the hub were some of UNEP’s advocacy-related partnerships.
Richard Vevers of The Ocean Agency discussed efforts to unlock the potential of creativity and big brand involvement in ocean conservation such as working with Adobe.
Christian Thaller of Adidas Runtastic gave an overview of its current collaboration with UNEP: “Run Wild to protect biodiversity and wildlife,” which aims to engage 1 million runners, representing 1 million species threatened with extinction.
Also, a group of youth leaders presented a manifesto and open letter on Tuesday calling for sustainability to underpin economic responses to the pandemic.
Sustainable Development Goals
As 2020 marks five years of work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, a number of events like the first “SDG Moment of the Decade of Action” touched on this ambitious agenda for people and planet, both progress made but also challenges ahead.
This year’s edition of the SDG Media Zone focused on the power of science, solutions and solidarity—as seen through the vision of global leaders -- including Andersen and Convention on Biodiversity chief Elizabeth Mrema -- and experts at the forefront of global crises and efforts to recover better.
Also taking part was newly-named UNEP Goodwill Ambassador chef Massimo Bottura who discussed global efforts to fight food waste.
UNEP was also represented at the SDG Action Zone. Over the course of three days, the zone convened leading thinkers, actors, creators, and activists – including Andersen and Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza -- through frank debate, challenging discussions, inspiring showcases and creative experience. All sessions are available on-demand.
Decade of Ecosystem Restoration
Ahead of the official 2021 launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration an online event gave a preview of what’s ahead for this important effort to revive the natural world that supports us all. Scientists say that these next ten years will count most in the fight to avert climate change and the loss of millions of species.
Here are ten actions shared at the event and included in the newly-revealed strategy which aims to build a #GenerationRestoration.
Principles for Responsible Banking
To mark the one-year anniversary of first-ever global sustainability framework for the banking industry, the UN Principles for Responsible Banking, a coalition of the signatories described their experiences as they have taken the first steps to far-reaching change.
