国际可持续发展研究所-全球环境治理状况2021（英）-28页_1mb

2021 State of Global Environmental Governance Summary

Core Content

The State of Global Environmental Governance 2021 report, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB), provides an overview of the state of international environmental negotiations and governance during 2021, which was heavily impacted by the ongoing effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The report highlights the shift to virtual and hybrid meetings, the voluntary pledges as a dominant feature of environmental governance, and the growing inequities that have emerged due to the pandemic and its global implications.

Main Points

1. Voluntary Pledges Dominated Governance

• Flexibility and voluntariness were central to many environmental commitments in 2021.
• Pledges were made by states, non-state actors, and local governments.
• Examples include:
  • Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP26): Over 40,000 registered participants, with significant pledges like the Global Methane Pledge and the Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use.
  • New York Energy Compacts: Over 150 "energy compacts" worth more than USD 400 billion were announced.
  • CBD COP15: Expected to adopt the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, with pledges already in the pipeline.
• However, many of these pledges lacked binding mechanisms, and the gap between promises and actions remains a critical issue.

2. Challenges in Implementation and Transparency

• Transparency and accountability are major concerns for voluntary commitments.
• The Paris Agreement has a strong transparency framework, but many other initiatives, such as the Food Systems Summit and Energy Dialogue, lack clear monitoring and evaluation processes.
• The 2021 Yearbook for Global Climate Action notes that many non-state actor pledges are not significantly more ambitious than previous ones.
• The UN Secretary-General announced a group to scrutinize net zero pledges made by non-state actors to improve transparency.

3. Growing Inequities and Multilateralism

• The pandemic exacerbated global inequalities, particularly in vaccine distribution, with 68% of people in high-income countries receiving at least one dose, compared to 12% in low-income countries.
• These inequities have impacted environmental governance, as developing countries often face greater challenges in participation and implementation.
• Equity is now a central theme in environmental negotiations, with the UN Human Rights Council recognizing the universal right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

4. Virtual and Hybrid Negotiations

• Due to the pandemic, most negotiations were conducted online or hybrid.
• While virtual meetings enabled some progress, they also amplified inequalities, especially in participation and engagement.
• The Glasgow Climate Change Conference and IUCN World Congress saw a return to in-person meetings, which were more inclusive and effective than virtual formats.

5. Key Environmental Outcomes in 2021

• The IPCC adopted a landmark report as part of the Sixth Assessment Report, reiterating the urgency of the climate crisis.
• Climate litigation increased, with Shell ordered to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030 in the Netherlands.
• The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is expected to be finalized in 2022, with pledges and national strategies being developed.

Key Information

• IISD and ENB are independent think tanks and information sources for global environmental policy.
• The report highlights the need for a renewed multilateralism to address the complex and interconnected nature of environmental challenges.
• 2022 is anticipated to be a landmark year for environmental governance, with new treaties and frameworks likely to be launched, including:
  • A marine plastics treaty
  • A science-policy body for chemicals
  • Resolutions on nature-based solutions
  • Green recovery initiatives

Looking Ahead

• 2022 is expected to be a busy year with numerous negotiation sessions and conferences.
• The UN Environment Programme turns 50, and the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm marks its 50th anniversary, highlighting the importance of environmental governance.
• The report concludes that while pledges remain popular, substantive outcomes are still needed to address the growing environmental and social crises.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, 2021 demonstrated the resilience of global environmental governance. The shift to virtual and hybrid formats was a necessary adaptation, but inequities in participation, implementation, and transparency remain significant. 2022 presents a critical opportunity to renew multilateralism and address these challenges through new frameworks and binding agreements.