This week, world leaders are gathering for Stockholm+50 and World Environment Day in Sweden to spur the urgent collective action and generate innovative solutions needed to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
2022 could prove to be a seminal year for the environment, with many high-level events and conferences that aim to re-energize international cooperation and collective action.
With the planet in emergency mode, world leaders will be having critical discussions on issues such as: slashing greenhouse gas emissions, restructuring the food system to prevent loss and waste, and how unlock financing and investment for the environment.
Stockholm+50
In 1972, the world took up the environmental mantle at the historic UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm. The meeting firmly placed the environment on the priority list of governments, civil society, businesses and policymakers, recognizing the inextricable links between the planet, human well-being and economic growth.
On 2 and 3 June, to mark fifty years since the landmark conference, Stockholm+50 will take place under the theme “a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity.” Learn more about the international meeting here and find out what you can expect here.
World Environment Day
On June 5, the world will come together to celebrate World Environment Day. Also hosted by Stockholm, the campaign will be held under the slogan “ Only One Earth" with a focus on living sustainably in harmony with nature. Led by UNEP and held annually since 1974, the day has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach, with millions of people engaging to protect the planet.
Rest of 2022
In February 2022, the resumed session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) took place in February and resulted in the establishment of 14 resolutions to curb pollution and protect and restore nature. Among these is a resolution to forge an legally binding international agreement by 2024 to end plastic pollution.
Several other global events in 2022 aim to encourage dialogue and influence policy decisions to address the triple planetary crisis.
These include: the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) where leaders are expected to negotiate a strong, post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the UN Ocean Conference in end June, which seeks to protect one of our most vital ecosystems. A detailed list of events is available on the UN web site.
Last year, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres reminded the world of our position. “We are at a crossroads, with consequential choices before us. It can go either way: breakdown or breakthrough.”
Experts hope that 2022 will be a year of breakthroughs for the environment.