UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development 2003-2012

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development

2003-2012

1. 2005 Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building adopted by the UNEP Governing Council.
   • Framework for UNEP’s delivery of technology support and capacity building.
2. 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment highlights the importance of ecosystems to human well-being, and the extent of ecosystem decline.
   • Highlighted importance of ecosystems to human well-being.
   • Influence on policy and decision making worldwide.
   • 1,360 scientists from 95 countries.
3. 2007 Fourth IPCC Assessment Report states that warming of the climate is unequivocal.
   • Mainstreamed scientific understanding of climate change and stirred public action.
   • 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
   • Bali Action Plan – calling for comprehensive action beyond 2012.
   • Integration of climate change and sustainable development policies.
4. 2007 The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity (TEEB) launched
   • Spotlights global economic benefits of biodiversity and ecosystems and multitrillion dollar losses being sustained by unsustainable path.
   • Up to a dozen countries launch national assessments from Colombia to UK.
5. 2007 International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management established to provide the scientific impetus for decoupling economic growth and resource use.
   • Tripling of resource use by 2050 projected - call for global action.
   • Governments adopt policies to ‘decouple’ the use of natural resources from economic development.
6. 2008 UN-REDD programme launched to combat deforestation, forest degradation and climate change.
   • 42 partner countries.
   • 14 national REDD programmes.
   • US$ 118 million funding from Norway, Denmark, Spain and Japan.
7. 2008 UNEP becomes a climate neutral organization (through reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and procuring carbon credits to compensate for the remaining emissions).
   • 3 % annual emission reductions target.
   • Energy efficiency measures in buildings; e-communication; reduced paper use; improved waste management and staff awareness.
8. 2008 Launch of the Global Green New Deal--Green Economy.
   • Transformational solution to both the economic crisis and environmental challenges.
   • Over 20 governments receive GEI advisory services.
   • National policy initiatives in 15 countries.
   • Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication becomes central Rio+20 theme.
9. 2009 International negotiations to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury are launched.
   • 120 countries andstakeholders work towards a global treaty on mercury by 2013 to reduce impact on health and the environment.
10. 2010 Nusa Dua Declaration adopted at UNEP’s Global Ministerial Forum in Indonesia.
    • International pledge to step-up global response to environmental and sustainability challenges.
    • Focus on role of marine and coastal ecosystems in the fight against climate change.
11. 2010 Governments agreed to establish an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
    • Designed to bridge the gap between science and policy for better and more focused action on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
12. 2011 UNEP launches the Green Economy report: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication.
    • Investment of 2 % of global GDP in ten key sectors can grow economy, generate jobs and keep humanity within planetary boundaries
    • Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication key theme for Rio+20.
13. 2011 UNEP and UN-HABITAT open New Energy Efficient Office Facility in Gigiri
    • 6000 square metres of rooftop solar panels generate optimal energy.
    • Reduced water consumption.
    • Cost of investment repaid through lower energy bills in 7-10 years.

Sourse: UNEP Website