‘Citizens of the Earth’ press for new UN environment body
By Elizabeth Snell

As global environmental crises escalate and potentially catastrophic thresholds loom, global responses remain disjointed and ineffectual. Many critics point to the lack of a world environmental organization comparable to the World Trade Organization or the World Health Organization.

Two recent proposals breathe new life into the debate.

In February, senior policy-makers, representatives of major NGOs, scientists and business leaders met at the Paris Conference for Global Ecological Governance. They issued an eloquent statement on the planet-at-risk and the need for ambitious, coherent action to ensure a fair and sustainable use of Earth’s resources.  As ‘Citizens of the Earth,’ they called for the adoption of a Universal Declaration
of Environmental Rights and Duties and transformation of the inadequate United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) into a strong international United Nations Environment Organization (UNEO) modelled on the World Health Organization.

An outcome of this statement was the First Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the UNEO.  The meeting was hosted by Morocco in April. Participants discussed elements of a possible UNEO mandate and structure. They recommend a UNEO that:

•   sets environmental priorities and strategies;

•   fosters North/South partnerships for sustainable development;

•   coordinates and monitors international environmental legislation;

•   links with other global organizations to incorporate the environmental dimension;

•   monitors the global environment to warn of global problems;

•   provides a centre for scientific advice; and

•   raises public awareness.

The group proposes that UNEO retain UNEP headquarters in Nairobi and implement programs at the regional level.

Its next meeting is planned for Costa Rica later in 2007.

As of April, the ‘Friends’ group included 52 countries representing Europe, Africa, South and Central America and Asia.  Absent from the list are Canada, United States and Australia – the countries with the largest per capita ecological footprints.

At the UN, these recent discussions of a possible UNEO have resonated in debate that followed the Secretary-General’s High Level report Delivering as One. (see page 4). The report deals with issues of system-wide coherence in the areas of development, humanitarian affairs and environment. There is greater consensus around reform and integration of UN delivery machinery in the development and humanitarian fields. On environment, member states are still divided over whether to retain UNEP or create a stronger UNEO. But as the need for more effective international coordination on environmental issues becomes more apparent, momentum for reform is building.

Elizabeth Snell is an environmental consultant based in Guelph, Ontario and past-chair of WFMC Executive Committee.