triple planetary crisis

In a fractured world, against a backdrop of geopolitical tension, war and crisis, the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) called for unity and cooperation to tackle the triple planetary crisis.

Indeed, with attendance from over 7,000 delegates from 182 UN Member States, UN Executive Director Inger Andersen urged Assembly members to “put aside regional differences” and focus on a common purpose: protecting people and the planet.  

The week-long deliberations at the Assembly meeting concluded with the adoption of 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a Ministerial Declaration aimed at halting the triple planetary crisis, but weren’t without disagreement.

The resolutions, which are not legally binding, include the environmental aspects of minerals and metals, hazardous pesticides, air pollution, water policy and land degradation, among others. 

ESG Mena runs through some of the key highlights from the Assembly meeting, spotlighting important conversations, agreements, and initiatives. 

Tackling land degradation 

This week saw the adoption of the first-ever UNEA resolution on land degradation, which called for a strengthening of international efforts to: 

• Combat desertification and land degradation, 
• Restore degraded lands, 
• Promote land conservation and sustainable land management, 
• Contribute to land degradation neutrality and enhance drought resilience.

At the high-level event on combating land degradation for climate and biodiversity, UNEA 6 President and Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development for the Kingdom of Morocco, Leila Benali, said: “Land is the only common denominator among the three Rio conventions, and it is only through land restoration that we can achieve their objectives. We need to build on what unites us rather than what divides us and start with working and credible solutions when it comes to land and soil health.”

The global plastic problem

A salient issue across the week was tackling the global plastic problem, with environmental experts and advocates highlighting the interconnection of the triple planetary crisis and plastics. 

This week, Greenpeace Africa, Powershift Africa, and the Fossil-Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative called for UNEA-6 member states to formulate and adopt a comprehensive and binding Global Plastic Treaty, one that addresses “the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal.”

Hellen Kahaso Dena, Project Lead of the Pan-Africa Plastics Project at Greenpeace Africa, said: “Our planet is drowning in plastic, a crisis intricately linked to the fossil fuel industry. Member states are allowing fossil fuel interests to drive the treaty negotiations and water down its ambition. Ending the corporate addiction to plastic is an important part of moving away from fossil fuels, combating climate change, pollution and protecting communities.”

Meanwhile, Seble Samuel, Head of Africa Campaigns and Advocacy for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, highlighted the need for a binding Global Plastics Treaty as well as a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that “can tackle the root cause of both crises — fossil fuels.”

Today, at the closing plenary, Andersen called for “everyone to do what they can in their own sphere of influence” to engage fully in the processes ahead, including on the negotiations for an instrument to end plastic pollution. 

Negotiations are ongoing but could be reached next month in Canada, it has been shared. 

Tackling unsustainable resource consumption

The world’s staggeringly unsustainable resource consumption also came into view this week, with a report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and International Resource Panel (IRP), titled, Global Resources Outlook 2024 – Bend the trend: Pathways to a Liveable Planet as Resource Use Spikes. 

The report found that while increasing resource use is the main driver of the triple planetary crisis, material resource use has increased over three times over the last 50 years and continues to grow by an average of more than 2.3 per cent a year. 

Further, without a course correction, the report notes that material resource extraction could increase by almost 60 per cent from 2020 levels by 2060, from 100 to 160 billion tonnes. 

When it comes to who is driving this, there’s a huge disparity between high-income countries and low-income countries.

In fact, the former use six times more materials per capita and are responsible for ten times more climate impacts per capita than low-income countries. 

Here, the report notes bold policy action is required to phase out unsustainable activities, speed up responsible and innovative ways of meeting human needs and promote social acceptance of the necessary transitions. 

Read the full report here. 

Solar geoengineering rejected

Switzerland’s push to create a UN expert group on solar radiation modification (SRM) was rejected this week by a vocal opposition of the African Group, supported by Pacific Island States, Colombia, Mexico, and the EU. 

Solar radiation modification (SRM) technologies are a controversial and unproven set of technologies aimed at dimming the sun to cool the Earth. 

There are a number of ethical, environmental and geopolitical concerns surrounding these technologies, and there is currently a de facto moratorium on geoengineering. 

Amid contentious debate, Switzerland withdrew its draft resolution. 

Push for collective action and collaboration

The connection between the health of humans, animals and the environment was also in the spotlight this week. 

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke of the “inextricable, yet fragile,” bond between the three, noting that we have “forgotten or ignored” that when we harm our environment, we harm ourselves.

“Now we are paying the price, with a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” he said, noting that the planet’s condition is “deteriorating rapidly.”

The WHO Director-General added that “collectively, we got ourselves into this mess” and “collectively, we must get ourselves out of it.”

Indeed, this was an underlying theme of this week’s UNEA-6: the need for united action. In a video address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued words of warning: “Our planet is on the brink. Ecosystems are collapsing. Our climate is imploding. And humanity is to blame. The fallout – from poisoned rivers to rising seas – harm us all. Yet, those least responsible suffer most – a burning injustice. We must work together to combat these crises – recognising the links between them to put the world on a sustainable path and turbocharge sustainable development.”

Demonstrating the coming together of different parties, this week also saw the unveiling of Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth, a document drafted by leading Islamic scholars from around the world, presenting guidelines on environmental protection drawn from the principles of Islam. 

Elsewhere, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a call for nominations for its Young Champions of the Earth award, an award that spotlights youth efforts and potential to lead environmental protection. 

In closing UNEA-6 today, Andersen said: “The world needs action. The world needs speed. The world needs real, lasting change.”

To access a full breakdown of UNEA-6 resolutions and decisions and more details on the Ministerial Declaration, head over here.