Business operations that systematically destroy, disrupt and pollute Nature and ecosystems must be stopped and held accountable
Nairobi: More than at any other time in history, humankind is facing the combined threat of climate breakdown, exponential biodiversity and ecosystem loss as well as unparalleled levels of pollution, including large amounts of waste not properly managed, which impact the remotest corners of the planet. These three crises are interconnected and exacerbate each other in a ‘spiral dynamic’ leading to a systemic breakdown of Nature which is unprecedented in its magnitude, pace and severity. They continue to threaten peace and human rights and infringe on the right to life, to health and to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for current and future generations.
Calling for a new development paradigm and an alternative economic model which must serve the common good, a joint global statement adopted as an outcome of the virtual Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum 19 (GMGSF) at the resumed session of the 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) between February 7-10, 2022, stated that governments should recognise the severity of multiple emergencies.
A Draft Resolution presented by the government of India recognized the need for immediate action and the importance of circularity in addressing the plastics crisis, but the scope of the resolution sought “only a voluntary framework” to reduce single-use plastics and plastic product pollution. The Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) encouraged supporters of this Draft Resolution to also support the Draft Resolution presented by the governments of Rwanda and Peru.
The statement said business operations that systematically destroy, disrupt and pollute Nature and ecosystems must be stopped and held accountable. What is needed is legally binding measures, such as the Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights, which ensure transparency, oblige companies to act with due diligence, hold them accountable and make them liable for environmental and human harm across their value chains.
“The undersigned Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) welcome the focus of UNEA 5.2 on the pivotal role that Nature plays as our live-support system. Our governments should recognise the severity of the multiple emergencies. Business as usual is not an option. They should come forward with bold and courageous political leadership now and make decisions to attain a sustainable future ensuring wellbeing for Nature, animals and people,” the statement said.
UNEA-5.2 focussed on strengthening actions for Nature to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, and the GMGSF sought to make it a game-changer and act for Nature now. The joint statement said that having a declaration was not enough and what was needed was a global framework to coordinate and better implement environmental governance and law. This Framework should include concrete goals, targets, indicators, means of implementation as well as a strong monitoring scheme. The monitoring scheme for member states can be inspired by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism established under the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR). UNEP and member states should establish a working group to negotiate such a framework to be adopted by 2025. This commitment should be part of the political declaration to be adopted at UNEP@50.
The transition to an alternative economic model and a new development paradigm, it said, can only be co-designed and realised through engaging with all stakeholders, including the worldviews and ethics of faith communities, Indigenous Peoples and their communities, farmers and peasants, women, youth, civil society organisation and trade unions.
“We recognise the urgent need to transform law, policies, attitudes and behaviours and to turn from the paradigm of endless extraction and expansion where Nature is a commodity to one of coexistence recognising the inherent worth of Nature and wildlife. We need to defend and restore the natural world upon which our societies and economies depend,” the statement said.
The MGoS called on the international community and governments to make the best possible use of the Decade of Action to deliver the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, to speed up global environmental decision-making-actions with a proactive, inclusive and participatory approach, to increase the pace and scale of efforts to rebuild harmony with Nature, and to repair and restore the damage already perpetrated by human actions.
Expected outcomes of UNEA 5.2
The MGoS expect clear solutions to emerge from UNEA 5.2 resolutions and the political declaration UNEP@50 including:
● an agreement to start negotiations for a legally binding global instrument to eliminate plastic pollution throughout the plastic life cycle from production and product design to end of life and waste management with a strong human rights-based approach and the aim to significantly reduce the production and use of plastics.
● decisions for Nature-centred and biodiversity-friendly approaches that ensure human, animal and planetary health and well-being and that protect ecosystem integrity, including through proactive efforts to ensure the incorporation of Nature-centred approaches in the development of the proposed Pandemics Agreement under the auspices of the World Health Organisation.
● the passing of a stand-alone resolution on the nexus between animal welfare, the environment and sustainable development.
● an agreement to strengthen international governance of chemicals as well as of resource extraction and mining that protects the rights of Indigenous Peoples and those communities disproportionately affected along with the health of all.
– global bihari bureau
