May 2016: A special issue of the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) ‘Our Planet’ magazine explores the environmental dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including examples of national implementation and UN agency priority actions. The special issue, titled ‘The Environment Dimension of the 2030 Agenda,’ was released for the second meeting of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-2), which convenes in Nairobi, Kenya, from 23-27 May 2016.

In a ‘Final Reflections’ piece, outgoing UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner shares three stories that he indicates give him hope: UNEP’s assessment of the impacts of oil contamination in Ogoniland, Nigeria, which resulted in the oil industry setting up a US$1 billion fund for restoration, a “first step in correcting a great injustice and ecological disaster;” the development of the Minamata Convention on Mercury; and progress related to the green economy, sustainable finance, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Also in the magazine, presidents and other officials share examples of national SDG priorities and highlight their countries’ and organizations’ implementation efforts. Micronesia’s President, Peter Christian, describes the history of discussions on a proposed amendment to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and anticipates that negotiations will conclude “in Vienna this July.” Colombia’s President, Juan Manuel Santos Calderon, addresses the environmental dimension of peace. Peru’s Minister of Environment, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, reflects on environmental achievements and sustainability goals. Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Amina J. Mohammed, discusses Africa’s priorities for the 2030 Agenda and its Agenda 2063, stressing climate action as critical. Global Environment Facility (GEF) CEO Naoko Ishii shares how she has promoted an integrated approach and a planetary boundaries framework at the GEF.

Highlighting specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Malaysia’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Madius Tangau, suggests eco-innovation as a way to create environmentally friendly industries and promote sustainable economies, in line with SDG 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns) and SDG 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts). Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti, describes how Indonesia is tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including through the establishment of the Task Force to Combat Illegal Fishing. The European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, calls for a circular economy approach to achieve SCP patterns, illustrating how such an approach can help to tackle the impact of marine litter on marine mammals. Both of these efforts will contribute to progress on SDG 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources). Dominican Republic Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Bautista Rojas Gomez, and Director of Climate Change, Pedro Garcia Brito, share how their country is implementing the SDGs, including by boosting energy efficiency technologies to reduce GHG emissions through scaling up high-efficiency light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as part of its Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA), in line with SDG 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all). Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) CEO Rachel Kyte discusses how to close the energy access gap, which she says will help contribute to SDGs on gender equality, health and education, among others. International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder highlights opportunities for job creation via a green economy transformation, including through SDG 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all).

Additional pieces address: the relationship between women, water and peace; a new UNEP device to monitor air quality; UNEP’s partnership with IMAX Corporation; and WWF’s perspective on how putting ecosystems at the center of development planning and other actions will help to bring about economic and social benefits and secure energy, food and water for all.

Leonardo di Caprio calls for tapping into the world’s collective genius “to accelerate every possible solution to climate change and avoid the worst outcomes of a rapidly warming planet.” [Our Planet] [UNEA Website]