UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development 1993-2002

UNEP and the Green Economy – Four Decades in Development

1993-2002

1. 1995 Global Programme of Action (GPA) launched as a non-binding agreement to protect the marine environment from land-based sources of pollution.
   • Adopted by 108 Governments and the EU.
   • Only global initiative to address terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems.
2. 1995 Basel Ban Amendment barring export of hazardous wastes adopted.
   • Ratified by 70 countries and the EU.
   • Established a regime for minimization of health and environmental impacts.
   • Created new, green economic opportunities.
3. 1996 UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) entered into force.
   • 193 signatories.
   • 42 African National Action Programmes.
   • 5 Sub-regional Action Programmes.
   • Two thirds of African countries implementing National Forest Programmes (NFPs).
4. 1998 Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted.
   • 39 banned or restricted chemicals.
   • 146 parties to the convention.
   • 265 national implementation authorities established in 170 countries.
5. 1999 UN Global Compact launched.
   • Over 8500 signatories from 135 countries working on sustainable and socially responsible policies.
6. 2000 The Malmö Declaration adopted.
   • Call to action on international environmental governance.
   • Crucial input to UN Millennium General Assembly and Rio+10 summit.
7. 2000 Millennium Declaration adopted: “ensuring environmental sustainability” as one of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
   • MDG 7 sets environmental targets.
   • Close to 87 % increase in access to drinking water. MDG’s 89 % target likely to be surpassed.
   • 94 million hectares increase in size of protected areas, covering 13 % of the world’s forests.
8. 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) adopted.
   • 176 parties.
   • 18 chemicals listed targeted for elimination.
   • 15 centres for capacity building and technology transfer.
9. 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development
   • Re-affirmed UNEP’s central role in sustainable development.
   • Linked poverty alleviation and environmental protection.
   • 2 new targets: To halve by 2015 people without access to basic sanitation; and to eliminate by 2012 destructive fishing practices.

Sourse: UNEP Website