UNEA-5 ends with clear message: act now to tackle planetary crises
Photo: UNEP / 24 Feb 2021
The virtual
Participants were left in no doubt that 2021
marks a critical turning point if the world wants to secure a future where people and planet can thrive together.
UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Andersen described the cost of inaction
“Unless we take action, future generations stand to inherit
a hothouse planet with more carbon in the atmosphere than in 800,000 years. Unless we take action, future generations will live in sinking cities. From Basra to Lagos. From Mumbai to Houston. Unless we take action, future generations will be lucky if they can spot a black rhino. And unless we take action, future generations will have to live with our toxic waste – which every year is enough to fill 125,000 Olympic size swimming pools,” she said.
Photo: REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino / 23 Feb 2021
The backed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners, catalyses public and private funds to combat deforestation, with the goal to cut annual emissions by 1 gigaton by 2025.
As environmental leaders and change makers meet virtually for the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in February 2021, the issue of deforestation has been central to their discussions.
“It is fundamental in the fight against the environmental emergency that faces us.”
Forests and woodlands are important stores of planet-warming carbon dioxide, soaking up 30 per cent of emissions from industry and fossil fuels. Their role in capturing and storing carbon is critical to mitigating the risks that climate change poses to the world’s food systems.
Photo by Grant Ritchie/ Unsplash / 23 Feb 2021
Statement prepared for delivery at the closing session of the Fifth UN Environment Assembly
Minister Rotevatn,
Excellencies, distinguished Ambassadors, Observers, partners and friends,
It has been a complex, uncertain and at times difficult journey – but here we are – at the conclusion of the first-ever virtual UN Environment Assembly.
Excellencies, I salute you for continuing to raise a strong voice for a planet in crisis. I salute you for recognizing that we cannot afford to wait any longer to make peace with nature. I salute you for the inspirational messages calling on us all to recover from the pandemic with a clear view to creating a more just and sustainable world.
Ministers of environment and other leaders from more than 150 nations today concluded a two-day online meeting of the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in which the Assembly warned that the world risks new pandemics if we don’t change how we safeguard nature.
Pakistan to host World Environment Day 2021
Nairobi, 22 February 2021 – Pakistan announced today that it will host World Environment Day 2021 in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This year’s observance of World Environment Day will be on the theme of ‘ecosystem restoration’ and focus on resetting our relation with nature. It will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021 – 2030.
World Environment Day takes place every year on 5 June. It is the United Nations’ flagship day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world.