The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s (IISD) Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) has published its annual overview of the state of global environmental governance. While several hard-fought wins emerged in 2024, the report finds that the year’s talks again raised the question if the Conferences of the Parities (COPs) and multilateral decision-making architecture are “fit for purpose” to address linked environmental, social, and economic crises.
Titled, ‘State of Global Environmental Governance 2024,’ the sixth edition of the report shares insights gained from observing talks in the many areas of the environment and sustainable development, including climate change, biodiversity, desertification, chemicals and plastics, and the SDGs.
Among 2024’s milestones, the report highlights work on synergies carried out at the Bern III Conference on Cooperation among the Biodiversity-related Conventions for the Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in early 2024. It also describes developments related to finance, including the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance set at the Baku Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29), the USD 12 billion Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership established at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP, and the Cali Fund adopted at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 16). At the same time, it notes that agreement on resource mobilization for implementation of the GBF was not reached until the CBD COP reconvened in early 2025.
The report identifies as missed opportunities the missed deadlines for the completion of the talks on the science-policy panel (SPP) on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention and to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
A dedicated section on litigation reflects on the growing prominence of courts in addressing the world’s pressing challenges, including climate change and chemical pollution.
The report discusses implementation efforts and critiques weak connections between multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and processes. It concludes with a preview of expectations for 2025, including the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Second World Summit for Social Development, and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), among other highlights.
The report was published on 10 March 2025. It was edited by Jen Allan, PhD, with contributions from Elena Kosolapova, PhD, Jessica Templeton, PhD, and Lynn Wagner, PhD. A foreword was written by Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Chair, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
ENB provides a variety of multimedia informational resources for sustainable development policymakers, including daily coverage of international negotiations, analyses, and photos. It is recognized for its objectivity and expertise in international environment and sustainable development policy. [Publication: State of Global Environmental Governance 2024] [Publication Landing Page] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on State of Global Environmental 2023]
