UN Environment Assembly: EU calls for cooperation on circular economy, water resilience and ocean protection to address planetary crisis

Environment ministers from around the world meet on Monday to decide on and propose resolutions for effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. 

Speaking ahead of the assembly, Commissioner Sinkevičius said:

At UNEA 6, we need to demonstrate the unity and leadership the world needs to address the triple planetary emergency. Biodiversity loss is weakening our economies and undermining the well-being of billions of people. Pollution is now taking nine million lives every year. And for entire nations, the rising sea levels, droughts and floods are becoming an existential risk. We need a radical change in our relationship with the planet. The EU will be working for ambitious outcomes on circular economy, water resilience and ocean protection, and cooperating with partners around the world.

The EU will aim for concrete and ambitious outcomes at UNEA 6 and, to that end, has proposed three resolutions for adoption regarding the following objectives:  

• Promoting the transition to circular economies domestically, regionally and globally. Unsustainable consumption and production are a key driver of the triple planetary crisis. The EU has proposed a resolution to enhance the transition to circular economies. It aims to promote circular economy solutions to decouple economic growth from resource use, minimising the economy’s impact and protecting the planet’s resources. The resolution suggests increasing the sustainability of textiles and trade in used vehicles and promoting the benefits of a circular and sustainable bioeconomy. It will also contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production and other related SDGs.  

• Strengthening water policies for sustainable development. Water security and water resilience for all are key to prevent and address the current and future health, food and energy crises. The EU has proposed a resolution that calls for strengthening water policies and preserving water resources in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The resolution addresses the main global issues that have an impact on water resources and the urgent need for integrated water management across sectors, regions and actors. The EU will stress the importance of the global water cycle, freshwater ecosystems and nature-based solutions as an important step to strengthen global water security and water resilience. On March 1, the Commission is also organising an event on 'Shaping a water resilient world, with water security for all'. 

• Developing a global agenda for ocean protection. The ocean plays a critical role for climate and biodiversity. To achieve healthy oceans and seas that are essential for our planet, ocean protection must be strengthened.  The EU and its Member States are tabling a resolution to accelerate the implementation of the ocean-related targets of the 2030 Agenda, to swiftly ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the International Maritime Organization Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The resolution also calls for active engagement to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution and supports a closer involvement of Regional Seas Conventions in international ocean governance.

A circular and sustainable bioeconomy

Commissioner Sinkevičius will host a ministerial breakfast, co-hosted with the Belgian Presidency, where he will highlight the potential economic, social and environmental benefits of a circular and sustainable bioeconomy, stressing its importance for contributing to global sustainable development and the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

He will also take part in two Leadership Dialogues on the need for public and private finance to tackle climate change, nature loss and pollution, and on whether environmental multilateralism is delivering fast enough. The Commissioner will also deliver a speech at the Closing Plenary. 

Background 

The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world’s highest-level decision-making body for matters related to the environment, with universal membership. It sets the global environmental agenda and directs the work of the UN Environment Programme. Representatives of 193 Member States, businesses, civil society and other stakeholders meet in Nairobi from 26 February to 1 March 2024 to address environmental challenges. The EU participates in the Assembly alongside its Member States.  

The Sixth Session of the UN Environment Assembly takes places under the theme 'Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution'. This highlights the important interlinkages between the three planetary environmental crises. UNEA-6 will adopt resolutions and decisions guiding multilateral efforts and environmental protection.