United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Cali, Colombia/Rome, Italy 

14, 15, 13, 1, 2, 3 

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a multilateral treaty that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as biodiversity conservation and sustainable use are fundamental to achieving the SDGs.  

The CBD’s core objectives—conserving biodiversity, using its components sustainably, and ensuring a fair sharing of benefits—directly contribute to goals related to poverty, hunger, health, clean water, and life on land and in the sea. 

During CBD COP 16, Parties to the Convention reached agreements on: 

A way forward in terms of resource mobilization to close the global biodiversity finance gap and achieve the target of mobilizing at least 200 billion dollars a year by 2030; 

The Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Review (PMRR) mechanism, and the full set of indicators that will be used to measure global and national progress towards the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which was adopted at COP 15 in 2022. 

Busan, Republic of Korea/Geneva, Switzerland 

12, 14, 15, 3, 6 

Adopted in March 2022 at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), UNEA resolution (5/14) requested the Executive Director of UNEP to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.  

The instrument would held achieve SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting resource efficiency and reducing pollution and waste and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by reducing plastic waste leaking into aquatic ecosystems 

It would also help improve human health, protect livelihoods that depend on healthy ecosystems, and foster sustainable development. 

The INC has held five sessions to date.  

The first part of the fifth session (INC-5.1) took place from 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea. The second part of the fifth session (INC-5.2) took place from 5 to 15 August 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Following 10 days of negotiations, the INC talks adjourned. The Committee agreed to resume negotiations at a future date.  

19 - 20 June 2025 

Punta del Este, Uruguay 

13, 14, 12, 11, 17, 3, 6 

The fifth meeting of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2022 adopted resolution 5/8 to strengthen the science-policy interface for the sound management of chemicals, waste and pollution by establishing a panel that would provide the most advanced scientific advice to governments without being policy prescriptive.  

The Intergovernmental Meeting held in June 2025 adopted decisions establishing the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP).  

The ISP-CWP is an independent intergovernmental body that will provide policymakers with authoritative, policy-relevant scientific advice to support the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, taking into account different national circumstances, development priorities, and capacities.  

Pollution is recognized as a leading threat to planetary and human well-being, yet the global response remains fragmented and uneven. ISP-CWP aims to fill this gap by assessing knowledge, identifying policy options, and catalyzing action that is effective, inclusive, and grounded in scientific evidence. 

14-18 July 2025 

Nairobi, Kenya 

13, 14, 15, 17 

The Twentieth Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20) was held from 14-18 July 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. The session also marked the 40th anniversary of AMCEN. 

AMCEN-20 was an opportunity for ministers and experts to discuss and prepare Africa’s common position and engagement in upcoming global environmental fora including: 

- the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands;  

- the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer;  

- the 6th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury;  

- the 30th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 30);  

- the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20) and;  

- the 7th United Nations Environment Assembly. 

3 - 7 November 2025 

Geneva, Switzerland 

3, 14, 15, 17 

The sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6) will take place in Geneva from 3 to 7 November 2025.  

Mercury is a dangerous toxin that the Minamata Convention seeks to address. While naturally occurring, mercury has broad uses in everyday objects and is released to the atmosphere, soil and water from a variety of sources. Controlling the anthropogenic releases of mercury throughout its lifecycle has been a key factor in shaping the obligations under the Convention. 

The Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from mercury pollution caused by activities like mining, manufacturing, and waste. It is built on three main strategies: cutting mercury supply at the source, eliminating mercury-added products, and reducing or eliminating unintentional releases into air, water, and soil. It therefore related to various SDGs including 14- Life below water, 15 - Life on land, 3 – Health, and 12 - Sustainable consumption and production. 

8 – 12 December  

Nairobi, Kenya 

12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 11, , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 

The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) will take place from 8 to 12 December 2025 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, on the theme "Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet”. 

This theme recognizes that striving for a world that is just, equitable and inclusive hinges on advancing sustainable development, promoting sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental protection to benefit all. 

A resilient planet is one where healthy ecosystems are prioritized; where resource intensity is reduced and efficiency is enhanced; where consumption and production demands are reoriented towards sustainability; and where new technologies and practices can sustainably anticipate and prevent environmental risks.  

To be successful and truly catalyze the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, all of these conditions must be underpinned by effective and inclusive environmental governance and respect for the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. 

13, 3, 17 

UNEP 

Policymakers, governments, international climate bodies, national and international finance institutions, the media, and civil society organizations focused on climate change. 

The report finds that progress in climate adaptation financing is not fast enough to close the gap between needs and flows, which contributes to a continued lag in adaptation planning and implementation efforts.  

International public adaptation finance flows to developing countries increased from US$22 billion in 2021 to US$28 billion in 2022: the largest absolute and relative year-on-year increase since the Paris Agreement. This reflects progress towards the Glasgow Climate Pact, which urged developed nations to at least double adaptation finance to developing countries from US$19 billion (2019 levels) by 2025. However, even achieving the Glasgow Climate Pact goal would only reduce the adaptation finance gap, which is estimated at US$187-359 billion per year, by about 5 per cent.  

The report calls for nations to step up by adopting a strong new collective quantified goal for climate finance and including stronger adaptation components in their next round of climate pledges, or nationally determined contributions. 

English 

9, 13, 3, 11 

UNEP 

Policymakers, regulators, governments, and industry professionals, particularly in the oil and gas sector. 

The fourth edition of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) publication emphasizes that man-made methane emissions are responsible for about a third of the Earth's current warming. Reducing them is the fastest and most cost-effective way to slow climate change in the short-term. Global methane emissions must be reduced 40-45 per cent by 2030 to achieve cost-effective pathways that limit global warming to 1.5°C. Yet the latest science shows atmospheric concentrations of methane rising at record speed over the past 5 years. 

The report also highlights overlooked opportunities for emissions reduction in the steel sector and emphasizes the importance of integrating multiple data sources for effective policy. 

It frames methane reduction as a fast, cost-effective way to slow climate change, directly supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action), and highlighting co-benefits, such as improved public health SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and economic development from reduced air pollution SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). 

English 

13, 11, 14, 15, 12 

UNEP 

Policymakers, government officials, and environmental actors 

This 7th edition of the Frontiers Report is part of UNEP’s Foresight Trajectory initiative and highlights emerging environmental issues as well as potential solutions. 

The report recommends making cities pollution-free, resilient, and accessible spaces with expansive vegetation. Key strategies include better urban planning, community-based disaster risk management, and improved access to climate information for older populations. 

It recommends cutting greenhouse gas emissions – including black carbon emissions from diesel engines, open-field agricultural burning, and wildfires – and limiting tourism in fragile frozen regions.  

The report identifies risks such as: 

English 

German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection - Germany, International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change, UNEP 

6, 14, 17 

Countries include: Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Uruguay, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, the UK, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the Russian Federation, Thailand, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe 

The Global Environment Monitoring System for Freshwater (GEMS/Water) is a programme that aims at collecting world-wide freshwater quality data to support scientific assessments and decision-making processes.  

In cooperation with participating countries, the programme is creating a unique global water quality 

monitoring network that provides water quality monitoring data to the global water quality database and information system GEMStat. These data can be used for assessing status and trends in global inland water quality and tracking progress towards Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

In addition to collecting water quality data, GEMS/Water provides support and encouragement to developing countries wishing to establish or improve monitoring programmes and conduct assessments of water quality, by 

providing training, advice and assessment tools. 

National and International Organizations: Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency, Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy (BASE), Global Efficient Lighting Centre, Carbon 

Trust, Natural Resources Defense Council, CLASP, GIZ, IIEC, TOP TEN, ASHRAE, ECREEE, EACREEE, RCREEE, Global Climate Partnership Fund, China National Institute of 

Standardization, International Copper Association, International Energy Agency. 

Academic Institutions: Danish Technical University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 

Industry: ABB, Arҫelik, B/S/H/, Electrolux, GREE, Mabe, OSRAM, Sanhua Holding Group, Signify, Whirlpool. 

7, 13, 12 

Global: 150 countries  

Regional projects: the Caribbean, Southern Africa, West Africa and Southeast Asia 

National projects: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia among others. 

SDG 7 calls for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030. The global transition to efficient appliances and equipment is key to achieving this goal.  

U4E is a global effort supporting developing countries and emerging economies to move their markets to energy-efficient appliances and equipment. Under the leadership of UNEP, U4E brings together all key stakeholders active in the area of product efficiency.  

U4E: 

Its scope includes five high-efficiency product categories – commercial, industrial and outdoor lighting, residential and commercial refrigerators, room air conditioners, electric motors and distribution transformers. 

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bariloche Foundation (BF), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Environment and Development Action in the Third World (ENDA-TM), Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, UNEP-DHI Centre for Water and Environment, national, regional, and international organizations from both public and private sectors.  

11, 12, 13, 17, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9,  

Over 110 countries including: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Pakistan, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

The CTCN is the implementation arm of the Technology Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change hosted by UNEP. 

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) promotes accelerated, diversified and scaled-up transfer of environmentally sound technologies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, in developing countries, in line with their sustainable development priorities. 

The CTCN fulfills its mission by: 

Over 250 partners  

13 cities; 22 International Organizations and Intergovernmental Organizations; 46 Civil Society Organizations; 6 Academia (Full list: https://coolcoalition.org/about/partners/) 

11, 7 

26 Countries: Andorra, Bangladesh, Belgium, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, Hungary, Japan, Lebanon, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, United Kingdom, Vietnam. 

An additional 25 countries developing national cooling action plans and will work with the Cool Coalition to reflect climate-friendly cooling into NDCs: Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, North Macedonia, Nigeria, Panama, Saint Lucia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay. 

Rising populations, urbanization, higher incomes, and escalating global temperatures are driving demand for cooling. While cooling is essential to protect health, ensure food safety, and sustain economic productivity, unchecked growth risks a vicious cycle of increased energy use and emissions, further accelerating climate change. Cooling accounts for a fifth of global electricity consumption and is a top driver of new power generation capacity. Without urgent action, cooling-related emissions could more than double by 2050 to represent over 10% of global emissions. Delivering sustainable cooling can slash emissions, save trillions in energy costs, and drive progress across the SDGs. 

The Cool Coalition is a global platform bringing together over 250 governments, businesses, cities, and financial institutions to drive comprehensive action on sustainable cooling and extreme heat.  

It advances implementation of the Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda, and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol through advocacy, science, and joint action.  

It champions a holistic approach to cooling and cold chains in both industrialized and developing countries, promoting passive cooling (i.e. cool roofs, nature-based solutions, better building and urban design), improved energy efficiency, and the rapid phase-down of climate-warming refrigerants. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), UNEP, and the World Health Organization (WHO), 

17, 3, 15,  

Global scope 

Country actions including in: Ghana, Mongolia, Vietnam, Zambia, Kenya, Senegal, Cambodia, Honduras, Madagascar, Moldova, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Morocco, and Zimbabwe.  

In March 2022, four international agencies (list above), formed a quadripartite collaboration for One Health.  

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, plants and ecosystems. The approach recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent. 

The approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development.  

The quadripartite’s One Health Joint Action Plan (2022-2026) outlines 6 areas of action.