ENB UPDATE

Thursday, 17 October 2019

Budapest Water Summit 2019

The final day concluded with a summary of recommendations on the way forward to achieve water security. Read

Wednesday, 16 October 2019

Daily Reports

Budapest Water Summit (BWS) 2019

Deep conversation and robust debates took place on Wednesday at the 2019 Budapest Water Summit, where high-level keynotes and panelists discussed migration, finance, technology and science. Read

Sunday, 13 October 2019

Summary Reports

IGF

At the meeting, which was organized on the theme of “Mining in a Changing Climate," delegates discussed ways that mining companies are starting to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from mining, as well as how they are learning to adapt to changes in climate and the environment, water scarcity, and increased disaster risk. They considered what mining will look like in the future as digital technology changes the way that work is done, the digital economy changes the way that resources may be taxed, and consumers increasingly seek out ethically-sourced products. Read

Friday, 11 October 2019

Summary Reports

CRC-15

At its fifteenth meeting, the Rotterdam Convention’s Chemical Review Committee reviewed notifications from countries that took a domestic final regulatory action that banned or severely restricted three chemicals: amitrole, decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) and nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NP and NPEs). Read

ACRC 2019

The first African Climate Risks Conference (ACRC) offered insights into the status of climate research in Africa and the success stories of bringing this research into use. Participants addressed a variety of topics, including uncertainty and ways to respond to it, and climate and weather services. They further investigated the challenges to have climate information integrated into decision and policy making for a resilient Africa. Read

Thursday, 10 October 2019

IGF 2019

On the final day of the AGM, delegates participated in future-oriented discussions about the changing nature of work, “green mines”, and how the digital economy is spurring changes in resource taxation.The Council voted for the  next guidance document from IGF to address environmental management. Read

The Committee concluded, adopting decisions on amitrole, decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), and nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NP/NPEs), among others. Chair Noluzuko “Zukie” Gwayi thanked the Committee members for their diligent work to support the sound management of chemicals. Read

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin is a balanced, timely and independent reporting service on United Nations environment and development negotiations.

Wednesday, 9 October 2019

ACRC 2019

The African Climate Risks Conference 2019 concluded its deliberations, focusing on climate services initiatives in Africa and addressing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special reports on the oceans and cryosphere in a changing climate, and on climate change and land. Delegates further exchanged opinions on implications and governance of carbon dioxide removal and on tackling urban challenges by co-creating knowledge on the food-water-energy-nexus. Read

IGF 2019

Delegates to the AGM attended panel sessions where they shared country strategies and examples of good practice on a range of issues, including low-carbon minerals, post-mining transitions, and support for economic and social transition in coal areas. 

Several speakers noted the pressures on resource-rich countries from the increased global demand for minerals and metals used in electric vehicles. 

The day’s highlights also included small group discussions about steps that governments and companies can take to promote gender equality in the mining sector. Read

CRC-15

The CRC met for its second day mostly in contact groups to discuss outstanding issues related to the notifications for amitrole, decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), and nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates. The Committee adopted the draft decision guidance document for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related chemicals, but views diverged on how to delineate the scope of the chemicals included in the recommendation.. Read

African Climate Risks Conference 2019

The African Climate Risks Conference (ACRC) 2019 continued its deliberations, focusing on the state of climate research for development in Africa, and addressing resilience in the face of climate change uncertainty and the water-energy-food-health nexus. Delegates further had the opportunity to exchange ideas on, among others, multi-level governance, and cities and climate risks. Read

IGF 2019

Delegates at the AGM discussed the role of innovation, data, standards and certification in promoting sustainability and resilience of the mining industry. Government officials and mining company representatives presented examples of «climate-smart» initiatives, and shared strategies to boost the use of renewable energy in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. They also discussed steps to improve environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), and to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. Read

CRC-15

The Committee delved straight into considering whether amitrole (an herbicide), decabromodiphenyl ether (a flame retardant), and nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates (used in detergents) should be listed in the Rotterdam Convention and made subject to its prior informed consent procedure. They also looked at the draft decision guidance document for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds. Read

African Climate Risks Conference (ACRC) 2019

The first African Climate Risks Conference (ACRC) opened on Monday, October 7, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aiming to offer a robust platform for sharing the latest African climate research. The meeting kicked off with a high-level opening session under the overarching theme “Dismantling barriers to urgent climate change adaptation actions.” Parallel thematic sessions were held throughout the day, including presentations on the latest research on climate science in Africa, sessions on co-production of knowledge between science, business, policy, practice, and local communities; and a session devoted to information distillation and communication. Read

AGM IGF

Delegates discussed the impacts of climate change on the mining industry, noting the need for both mitigation and adaptation actions. They  gave feedback on the draft guidance document on environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA). A poll conducted via the meeting app showed that, for many countries, the most challenging stage of the mining cycle is mine closure, and the most challenging issue is that of land rights. Read

SAICM IP3

Participants continued discussions on possible elements for a post-2020 platform for international cooperation on the sound management of chemicals and waste for consideration by the fifth meeting of the International Conference on Chemicals Management in Bonn, Germany, in October 2020. Read

POPRC-15

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee reviewed three chemicals nominated for listing in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Stockholm Convention: the insecticide methoxychlor, the industrial chemical Dechlorane Plus (and its syn-isomer and anti-isomer), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and related compounds. Read

 Marine Regions Forum 2019

Held under the theme ‘Achieving a healthy ocean – Regional ocean governance beyond 2020,’ the meeting provided an opportunity for informal exchange and dialogue between decision makers, scientists, and civil society representing the world’s marine regions.

Participants highlighted the role of regions in bridging the gap between global agreements and local action, as well as the importance of the regional level action to support national voices calling for conservation. Read