UNEP/LAC-IC.1.2017/3.Rev.2
Intersessional Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment
of Latin America and the Caribbean
Regional Consultation for the Third UN Environment Assembly
Bogota, Colombia
11-13 October 2017
Distribution:Limited
UNEP/LAC-IC.1.2017/3.Rev.2
30 August 2017
Original: Spanish
Summary of the progress in the Implementation of the Decisions
from the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of
Latin America and the Caribbean
Decision 1 - Latin America and Caribbean Initiative for
Sustainable Development: Moving Towards a Sustainable Future
1. During the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the
Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, the countries of
the region approved the update of the document on the Latin
American and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development:
Moving towards a sustainable future.
Decision 2 Latin America and Caribbean Initiative for
Sustainable Development (ILAC) Indicators
2. In general, the implementation of Decision 2 on ILAC
Indicators is considered to have progressed satisfactorily. In
particular, the achievements related to the following points are
highlighted: 2.2 (proposal for new indicators and/or an update of
the existing ones); 2.3 (a construction of indicators that
adequately reflects the approaches and visions of the region); 2.4
(indicators on Sustainable Consumption and Production); and 2.6
(formulation of proposals). In addition, there are concrete actions
proposed to be advanced during 2017 regarding the following points:
2.5 (subregional meetings); 2.7 (exploring sources of data such as
those derived from remote sensing for the construction of
indicators); 2.8 and 2.9 (in terms of availability and use of
indicators).
3. The Working Group on Environmental Indicators will be
advancing South-South cooperation and capacity-building activities,
with a view to consolidating a baseline of environmental
information based on ILAC indicators and regionally prioritized
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The objective is to ensure
that such information serves as a basis for the discussions of the
Forum of Ministers and other regional and global political
dialogues.
Advances - Implemented activities and results
4. The countries of the region developed a proposal for a set of
indicators on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) that
could contribute to the Latin American and Caribbean Initiative for
Sustainable Development and that are relevant to the region in the
context of the Regional Strategy for SCP as well as the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development and its respective goals (SDG). This
was done during the Regional Meeting of Experts on Indicators of
Sustainable Consumption and Production held under the Technical
Cooperation Agreement between the Development Bank of Latin America
(CAF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN
Environment), (August 2-3, 2016, Panama), where forty-three ILAC
and SDG indicators were analysed. Sixteen of the SCP indicators
were classified as high priority, eleven as medium priority, nine
as low priority, and seven were discarded. Likewise, the meeting
also enabled the identification of indicators that enable
decision-making in the Ministries of Finance and Industry with
regard to operations to promote sustainable growth in the region as
well as to support CAF and the Ministries in the formulation of
adequate policies, regulations and national plans.
5. On the topic of capacity building and opportunities for
cooperation, and in order to respond to the new challenges and
opportunities that the countries present in the measurement of
indicators, the participants proposed the development of
institutional capacity and technical assistance through courses and
workshops on environmental indicators and/or sustainable
development, the creation of an association of Caribbean countries
to address the new specific challenges of that subregion, the
strengthening of technical assistance for the development of
sustainable production and consumption plans as well as the
development of publications on the topic of indicators and how they
have been used for decision-making in public policy.
6. Some of the countries of the region (Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay) met (11-13
December 2016, Brasilia) during the Working Group on Environmental
Indicators for the implementation process of the South-South
Cooperation Project and for the capacity building for GEO-6. These
countries had the opportunity to advance in the identification of
thirteen indicators related to each of the objectives defined for
the seven areas of ILAC as well as to produce a robust list of
relevant indicators to be considered for implementation at a
national and regional level.
Future Activities
South-South Cooperation Project and Capacity Building for the
GEO-6 Process in Latin America and the Caribbean (October
2017-March 2018)
7. The project "South-South Cooperation and capacity building
for the GEO-6 process in Latin America and the Caribbean" that is
funded by Brazil through its donation to UN Environment in 2014, is
being implemented with the participation of experts and officials
that are responsible for environmental indicators and statistics in
the Ministries of Environment of the region, National Statistics
Offices and other relevant national institutions.
8. The project aims to accelerate the harmonization, adoption
and implementation of environmental indicators using a selected set
of Sustainable Development Goals/Latin America and the Caribbean
Initiative for Sustainable Development/Multilateral Environmental
Agreements indicators to produce regional reports (as part of the
GEO initiative) to track progress towards implementation of the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the ILAC, the SAMOA
Pathway, and other relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
In addition, the project will strengthen national and regional
environmental information systems and networks in LAC and also
promote a more effective and integrated use of environmental
information and data for policy and decision making in the
region.
9. The objective of the experts and partner institutions in the
region is to develop a framework of multi-purpose indicators, as
well as guidelines for their implementation (in relation to the
underlying information systems, as well as deployment and
dissemination strategies), while also taking into account the
differences between countries in terms of installed capacity,
institutional arrangements and priorities. The experts and partner
institutions will also be in charge of transferring capacities to
countries through four subregional training of trainers workshops
(Q4 2017, Q1 2018). Lastly, these experts are also expected to
contribute to the preparation of a proposal to provide support and
long-term capacity for the use of the indicators in order to
effectively implement the scientific-political interface in Latin
America and the Caribbean.
10. At the end of this project in March of 2018, the countries
of Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to agree on a set
of multi-purpose environmental indicators to be used throughout the
region to evaluate the state and trends of the environment as well
as to monitor the progress made towards sustainable
development.
11. Additionally, the project will promote the calculation of
the indicators that are selected by the majority of countries. This
calculation will then be used to prepare a regional report on the
environmental dimension in Latin America and the Caribbean
(2017/2018). This report will be the first in a series of
annual/biennial reports on the progress towards the 2030 Agenda,
ILAC, etc. (See next section). The report will contribute to Global
Environmental Outlook (GEO) global and regional assessments, as
well as national reports on the state of the environment and
multilateral environmental agreements.
Environmental Performance Report for Latin America and the
Caribbean (2017-2018)
12. The transition to sustainability in Latin America and the
Caribbean urgently requires more effective mechanisms to provide
robust information on the current state and trends of the
environment in the region to governments, civil society, the
private sector and international and multilateral agencies (among
others). This information includes a regional analysis of
transformation systems, impacts, policy responses and future
scenarios. Although much of this information exists (the region has
made significant progress with regard to the production of
environmental indicators and comprehensive environmental
assessments), limitations on access, frequency, coverage, relevance
and usability are noteworthy.
13. In this context, the production of an Environmental
Performance Report for Latin America and the Caribbean, based on
ILAC and Sustainable Development Goals indicators, is proposed, and
will serve as an easily accessible reference source to report
succinctly on the progress made on the implementation of the
environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, the SAMOA Pathway, the Paris Agreement, ILAC and other
multilateral environmental agreements relevant to the region. The
first of these biennial reports would be launched at the XXI
Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin
America and the Caribbean, and it will serve as the main summary
document to provide scientific and technical support to the
discussions of the Ministerial Forum, including the identification
of priority actions, success stories and opportunities for
inter-sectoral dialogue.
14. This activity will also allow the achievement of the
following specific objectives:
a. Strengthen the capacity of the ILAC Working Group on
Environmental Indicators (WGEI-ILAC) in the processes of data and
information management to support the Forum of Ministers
b. Establish a regional mechanism to monitor the environmental
dimension of the transition processes towards sustainable
development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
c. Contribute to the consolidation of a regional environmental
information network, established to facilitate free and open access
to data and information on the state and trends of the environment
in Latin America and the Caribbean.
d. Streamline the harmonization of ILAC, SDG and other
multilateral environmental agreement indicators to provide a more
efficient and integrated regional framework for the management of
environmental data and information.
e. Contribute, from the environmental dimension, to
inter-ministerial and intersectoral dialogue as well as among
governments, the private sector and civil society on issues related
to sustainable development, green and inclusive growth, and
sustainable consumption and production, among others.
15. In terms of expected results, the following are
highlighted:
a. A first regional report on environmental status and
environmental performance, launched during the XXI Meeting of the
Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the
Caribbean (to be held during the first quarter of 2018).
b. A set of harmonized ILAC and SDG environmental indicators
that are promoted for their adoption implementation and calculation
(biennial) in most of the regions countries.
c. A Regional environmental information network established by
the Working Group on Environmental Indicators of ILAC that gives
effective support to the Forum of Ministers and is articulated to
other relevant initiatives and instances.
Decision 3 Environmental Education for Sustainable
Development
16. The XX meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment
of Latin America and the Caribbean (28-31 March 2016, Cartagena,
Colombia) adopted Decision 3 on Environmental Education for
Sustainable Development. Decision 3 contains ten substantive
paragraphs, one of which, in turn, covers thirteen actions.
17. Sixteen months after the adoption of the decision (April
2016 August 2017), it is estimated that the decision has been 70%
implemented with the prospect of achieving 90%-100% of its
execution within the term of its 2016-2018 Work Plan.
18. In spite of the limited human and financial resources for
the operation of the Network Coordination, it has been revitalized
in accordance with the Work Plan. Regular exchanges among its
members have been facilitated, namely with the directors and
managers of the environmental education units within the Ministries
of Environment, they have delved deeper into the state of
environmental education in Latin America; information has been
disseminated through e-mail, the webpage and Facebook; there has
been collaboration with national university networks for the
environment and sustainability; research has been carried out on
potential areas for collaboration and resource mobilization with
other actors, such as the secretariats of multilateral
environmental agreements and multilateral development banks. A list
of policies and legislation on environmental education in the
region has also been updated with a comparative analysis of its
main elements and the identification of the main environmental
training courses either face-to-face or virtual that are being
offered by the ministries of environment and education during this
year.
19. Finally, various aspects of a new visual image and
projection of the Environmental Training Network have been
developed, including a new logo, courtesy of the Ministry of
Environment of Panama, an information booklet and a quarterly
bulletin (No. 1: May-August 2017, will be available from
September), among others.
20. One of the major challenges of promoting environmental
education from the work of the Ministries of Environment,
Ministries of Education, and other actors is passing from policy
declarations and instruments to actual resource allocation in order
to honor statements and implement these policies.
21. During this period, another aspect to be highlighted is the
lack of knowledge about the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable
development goals in the technical educational personnel of
governments, non-governmental organizations and academia.
Progress - Implemented Activities and Results
22. Since the adoption of decision 3 and, in follow-up to
paragraph 2 of the decision, the UN Environment Programme proceeded
to prepare the draft of the 2016-2018 Work Plan[footnoteRef:1]. It
was circulated by e-mail for feedback from the focal points of the
Spanish-speaking countries and Brazil, and it was adopted in May of
2016. [1: See Environmental Training Network Work Plan 2016-2018:
http://www.pnuma.org/educamb/documentos/Work_Plan_ETN_LAC_2016-2018_ENG.pdf]
23. The activities of the Work Plan follow the guidelines of the
operative paragraphs of Decision 3 and have been grouped into 5
main lines of work, namely:
a. training and research;
b. articulation with universities;
c. coordination with other initiatives and non-traditional
sectors (private sector,
d. Secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements);
e. exchange of experiences and South-South cooperation;
f. financing.
24. In total, approximately 20 activities were incorporated for
completion within two years. The work plan also includes: a roadmap
to implement the actions, schedule, links or synergies with the
other decisions of the Forum of Ministers, the person in charge,
the partners for implementation and the necessary resources.
A. Training and research
Systematization of environmental education experiences in Latin
America with an integrated approach
25. Research was carried out in order to elaborate the
"Systematization of experiences of environmental education in Latin
America with an integrated approach". The document has compiled 24
experiences, from 13 countries, and these experiences have been
taken as an initial sample to carry out an analysis of the
contemporary situation of environmental education, with an
integrated approach in the region. The document reveals aspects of
this process, based on a set of initial reflections on the
conceptual framework of this integrated approach in environmental
education processes, and it is accompanied by a methodological
proposal to carry out systematizations in this field. The document
is in the process of being designed for digital publication and it
is expected to be ready during the second half of 2017.
Indicators for environmental education in Latin America
26. The proposal on indicators for environmental education in
Latin America was finalized. This proposal reviews processes on
indicators for environmental education in connection with education
for sustainable development (particularly in the framework of
sustainable development goal 4 (quality education) and its target 7
(education for sustainable development). The document also includes
a comparative analysis of national indicators vs. regional
objectives and global objectives. Moreover, it incorporates a
proposal of 14 indicators related to global, regional and national
priorities and objectives at global and regional levels.
27. The proposal has been submitted to the focal points of the
Environmental Training Network for consideration. Likewise, it will
be transferred to the Working Group on Environmental Indicators of
the ILAC (Latin American and Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable
Development) as possible input for indicative purposes related to
environmental education as well as training of human resources from
ILAC goal 7 on Governance and Institutional arrangements.
Multilateral Development Banks as well as the Rio Conventions
and related: two lines of work that are essential to reach sources
of financing and strategic alliances, within the framework of the
Environmental Training Network
28. In order to follow-up on paragraphs 6 and 7 of Decision 3,
research was initiated to address resources mobilization in order
to enable the implementation and dissemination of environmental
education policies and the identification of opportunities for
cooperation between the Environmental Training Network and the
Secretariats of the main multilateral environmental agreements on
environmental education. With regard to multilateral development
banks, the analysis focused on: the Inter-American Development Bank
(IDB); the Development Bank of Latin American (CAF) and, the
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). A first version of the document
was circulated to the focal points of the Environmental Training
Network in February, and it was presented and discussed at the
online meeting of the Network held on 17 February, 2017. The final
version will be available during the second half of 2017.
B. Coordination with universities
29. The cooperation between UN Environment and ARIUSA (Alliance
of Ibero-American University Networks for Sustainability and the
Environment) was renewed on 9 May 2016 through a memorandum of
understanding between UN Environment and the University of Applied
and Environmental Sciences (UDCA ). The areas of cooperation from
the new agreement include:
a. Promoting the participation of Latin American universities in
the "Global Universities Partnership on Environment and
Sustainability" (GUPES), facilitating their articulation with other
university networks operating in the region and promoting the
inclusion of environmental considerations in universities (in four
areas that addressed in the curriculum, institutional management,
extent and research) that are based on both common and
differentiated indicators by country.
b. Supporting the planning of the II Latin American Forum on
Universities and Sustainability as well as the planning of national
forums on the subject.
c. Promoting the role of university networks in the process of
participation and formulation of policies and programmes for
alignment with the sustainable development goals and the 2030
Agenda.
30. On 20 September 2016, the UN Environment Latin America and
the Caribbean Office and the University of Applied and
Environmental Sciences (UDCA) signed a Small-Scale Funding
Agreement to consolidate, strengthen and clearly define their
cooperation as well as to reinforce their effectiveness in
achieving common objectives in the field of environmental
sustainability and higher education and, additionally, to implement
the memorandum of understanding mentioned above.
31. In response to this request, the Ministry of Environment in
Peru that supports the Inter-university Environmental Network
reported that in this country there is already some progress in the
formulation of public policies to promote sustainability in higher
education institutions. Thus, since last year, the National
Superintendence of Higher University Education established that one
of the indicators for the basic conditions of quality in higher
education is for universities to have policies, plans and actions
for the protection of the environment. This was declared in
"Condition VI.7 Indicator 49" of the Resolution of the Directing
Council No. 006-2015-SUNEDU/CD. As of several years ago, a similar
standard is being promoted in Colombia by the Colombian Network of
Environmental Training, before different agencies in the national
university system. As a result of these efforts, in 2015, the
Cross-Sector Committee for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
agreed to create a group of experts to recommend environmental
criteria that should be taken into account in the evaluation
process and accreditation of the quality of the country's
universities. Although no further information is available on this
working group, in 2017 the need to include environmental criteria
for the accreditation of higher education Colombian institutions
will be underlined.
32. Another similar process is developing in Panama. Recently,
the Environmental Commission of the Council of Principals of Panama
and the Network of Panamanian Universities for Sustainable
Development began to draft a proposal for an environmental policy
for universities.
33. Thanks to the coordination of the Environmental Education
and Training Unit of UN Environment headquarters, this
organization, together with the Alliance of Ibero-American
University Networks for Sustainability and the Environment, held a
workshop during the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) Week of Peace and Sustainable
Development: The Role of Education (6-10 March, Ottawa,
Canada).
34. The workshop focused on the work on sustainability
indicators for Latin American Universities that is based on the
report Designing Indicators for the Evaluation of Sustainability
Policies in Latin American Universities (ARIUSA, RISU project -
Network of Indicators of Sustainability of Universities, 2014) and
national diagnostics of Colombia (led by the Colombian
Environmental Training Network), Ecuador (led by the Ministry of
Environment), Mexico (led by the Environment and Natural Resources
Secretariat) and Peru (led by the Ministry of Environment) on the
incorporation of environmental considerations in universities.
35. The results of this report as well as the national
diagnostics were made widely available through the UN
Environment[footnoteRef:2] website. An infographic was also
prepared in relation to the report, and it has been disseminated
via twitter. [2:
(http://web.unep.org/stories/story/latin-american-universities-prioritize-sustainability).
]
C. Coordination with other initiatives and non-traditional
sectors (private sector, secretariats of multilateral environmental
agreements)
36. UN Environment participated in the Regional Meeting of
Ministers of Education of Latin America and the Caribbean: E2030,
Education and Skills for the 21st Century (24 and 25 January 2017,
Buenos Aires, Argentina).
37. In the Buenos Aires Declaration[footnoteRef:3] (main outcome
of that meeting), paragraph 14 was included where ministers
decided: We will design and implement comprehensive programs of
education for sustainable development (ESD) and global citizenship
education (GCED), which are crucial for the acquisition of values
and attitudes related to human rights, gender equality and a
culture of peace, non-violence and coexistence; for the protection
of the environment and life on the planet; and to face the
challenges of climate change. As an integral part of these
programs, we will disseminate the SDGs to education stakeholders
with the aim of empowering them as key global and responsible
citizens for this new agenda. [3: Buenos Aires Declaration
http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/FIELD/Santiago/pdf/Buenos-Aires-Declaration-ENG-2017.pdf
]
D. Exchange of experiences and South-South Cooperation
38. The exchange of experiences and South-South cooperation is a
central axis of the Environmental Training Network. The Network
operates, to a large extent, as a community of practice for the
directors and managers of the environmental education units of the
Ministries of the Environment in order to strengthen expertise,
mutual learning, exchange of experiences and environmental
education practices through virtual and face-to-face meeting
spaces.
39. During the period that this report is being presented, the
Coordination of the Training Network convened two virtual
meetings:
a. December 16, 2016 to discuss the draft of the document on the
systematization of environmental education programs with a
integrated approach in Latin America as well as to review progress
in the implementation of the Network's Work Program.
b. February 17, 2017, to comment on the results of the Regional
Meeting of Ministers of Education of Latin America and the
Caribbean. E2030: Education and skills for the 21st century and,
the mobilization of multilateral bank funding and the Rio
Conventions.
40. Moreover, at the invitation of the Itaipu Binational
Paraguay Biodiversity Project and the Paraguayan Environment
Secretariat, several focal points of the Network and the network
coordinator participated in the International Forum: Biodiversity
Corridors and Protected Areas (4-6 April, 2016, Asuncin, Paraguay)
to contribute to the discussions on environmental education
topics.
41. A meeting of the Environmental Training Network was also
held from 9 to 12 May, 2017 in Brasilia, Brazil, together with the
V Training Meeting on Environmental Education in Water Management
in Brazil. The meeting took place under the coordination and
financing of Brazil, through the Ministry of the Environment
(Environmental Education Directorate) and the National Water
Authority, with the support of the Environmental Training Network
for Latin America and the Caribbean.
42. Additionally, the network coordinator participated in the
following activities to discuss environmental education in Latin
America, explore new partnerships for the Network and disseminate
the range of action and opportunities for collaboration:
a. The 6th National Meeting and the 1st Latin American Round of
Environmental Education for Sustainable Human
Development[footnoteRef:4], RENEA 10 (from its initials in Spanish)
(22-24 September, 2016, Las Piedras, Uruguay). See the Declaration
of the Meeting: [4:
http://www.reduambiental.edu.uy/2016/09/declaratoria-final-6to-encuentro-nacional-renea-10/]
b. Information and work meetings with the team of the Division
of Environmental Education and Citizen Participation of the
Ministry of the Environment of Chile [footnoteRef:5](September 28,
2016). [5:
http://educacion.mma.gob.cl/encargada-de-la-red-de-formacion-ambiental-del-pnuma-visito-ministerio-del-medio-ambiente/]
43. As additional mechanisms to promote the exchange of
information and experiences of the Training Network we have the
Facebook account[footnoteRef:6] which is regularly updated and a
communication group through the Whatsapp cell phone application.
[6: (http://www.pnuma.org/educamb/)]
E. Financing
44. Since the establishment of the fund in 1989, the 19
countries contributing to the Trust Fund of the Network are divided
into 3 groups: Group I made up of countries that contribute US $
20,000 each, per year; Group II made up of countries that
contribute US $ 10,000 each, per year and; Group III countries that
contribute US $ 5,000 each, per year.
45. The amount available in the trust fund as of 15 August, 2017
is: 64, 815 USD
Future Activities
46. In order to follow-up on the Work Plan of the 2016-2017
Environmental Training Network, the activities expected in the
coming months include, among others, the following:
a. Training and research: The final versions of the documents
mentioned above, as well as their digital design, will be
finalized.
b. Coordination with universities: The implementation of the
small-scale funding agreement signed between UN Environment and the
University of Applied and Environmental Sciences (U.D.C.A.) will be
continued within the framework of the areas of collaboration
jointly with ARIUSA.
47. One of the main activities will be to collaborate with the
organization of the second Latin American Forum of Universities for
the Environment and Sustainability coordinated by ARIUSA to be held
in the city of Santa Marta (Colombia) from 19 to 20 October,
2017.
Coordination with other initiatives and non-traditional sectors
(private sector, secretariats of multilateral environmental
agreements)
48. During February and March of 2017, Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB) and the Development Bank of Latin America
(CAF) have been approached in order to strengthen relations in the
coming months.
Exchange of experiences and South-South cooperation
49. Based on exchanges, at the end of 2016, with the National
Environment Office of the Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning
and Environment of Uruguay, the offer to host the face-to-face
meeting of the Network of the Year 2017 in this country was
confirmed. The meeting will be held in 2018, since a meeting was
held in May this year at the request of Brazil.
Decision 4 - Environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development
50. In order to "promote the application of integrated and
holistic approaches in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda", the
United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), with the
support of the Government of Brazil, is implementing a regional
pilot in Latin America and the Caribbean, of the project
"Integrated Approach for Sustainable Development". The objective of
the pilot is to support countries with the challenges of
sustainable development by addressing, the three dimensions of
development, in a balanced way, that is to say, to maximize
economic, environmental and social benefits.
51. To achieve this goal, UN Environment has carried out a
process of identifying programmes in the region that are already
moving towards an integrated approach to sustainable development.
Thirty-three countries in the region participated in this process,
which entailed the identification of more than a hundred
programmes. Subsequently, twenty-eight experiences (experiencias)
from twenty-one countries were selected to be systematized and take
part in a more detailed analysis of lessons learned, challenges and
available tools. All this is reflected in the publication
"Sustainable Development in Practice: Applying an Integrated
Approach in Latin America and the Caribbean", available in English,
Spanish and Portuguese.
52. As part of this process, a regional symposium was organized
on 4-5 October in Brasilia, with the participation of government
representatives, civil society, academia and the private sector
from twenty-one countries in the region. There was also a large
attendance from Brazilian partners. In the symposium, the progress
and new challenges of the region in terms of sustainable
development were discussed. Concrete experiences that are already
using an integrated approach in the region were presented and,
moreover, practical elements, tools and areas of cooperation for
the implementation of 2030 Agenda were identified.
53. Similarly, the existing gaps and challenges for the
implementation of an integrated approach in the region were
identified. As a result of this symposium, and as a follow-up to
the need to Provide political guidance on recommendations regarding
the environmental dimension of sustainable development at the
regional level a policy note has been prepared that presents
recommendations, entry points and tools to make progress in the
implementation of an integrated approach to sustainable
development. It has been disseminated within the framework of the
first Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Countries on
Sustainable Development (26-28 April, Mexico City).
54. Following up on the decision to "Promote international and
regional cooperation and national capacitybuilding for the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
including through SouthSouth and Triangular cooperation"; the
symposium focused on promoting South-South and Triangular
Cooperation. Thus, as part of the regional symposium, opportunities
for exchanging best practices, experiences and lessons learned
between specific actors and countries are being identified and are
starting implementation this year, in order to: 1) formulate a
regional proposal that will advance the practical integration of
the achievement of the targets of SDGs 1 to combat poverty and
those of SDG 15 for ecosystem conservation, through a more
structured inclusion of the environmental dimension in the efforts
towards poverty reduction with green compensation schemes; 2)
analyse the institutional and legal reforms of the countries of the
region to promote programmes that advance an integrated approach
and implement exchanges and discussions with parliamentarians and
legislators; (3) establish the cooperation between Paraguay and
Uruguay on agroforestry for energy purposes, one of the key issues
identified for an integrated approach between the energy, forest
and sustainable production sectors.
55. Following a regional exchange symposium, a workshop was held
to exchange experiences on socially inclusive conservation
mechanisms (June 20-22 in Medellin, Colombia), with the
participation of government officials of Brazil, Colombia, Costa
Rica and Mexico, private sector, civil society and international
organizations. It sought to facilitate the exchange of experiences
and the definition of potential national or regional implementation
of initiatives that achieve synergies between SDG 1 and SDG 15.
These initiatives were focused on green compensation schemes with a
focus on communities in poverty or whose work contributes to the
conservation of areas of environmental importance. The workshop
identified relevant lines of action, such as the design of an
environmental compensation scheme in artisanal fisheries, related
to the SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and
marine resources. One line of action for which progress is being
made is a project proposal to strengthen the mechanisms of
environmental compensation through Ecosystem-based Adaptation.
Linkage with the Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Countries
on Sustainable Development:
56. The Forum for Sustainable Development was created at the
36th session of the Economic Commission of Latin America and the
Caribbean (Mexico City, May 23-27, 2016) as a regional mechanism
for monitoring and reviewing the implementation and follow-up of
the 2030 Development Agenda for Sustainable Development, their
goals, their means of implementation and the Addis Ababa Agenda for
Action on Financing for Development. Subsequently, the United
Nations Economic and Social Council endorsed the establishment of
the Forum through the adoption of its resolution 2016/12.
57. Consistent with Decision 4 of the XX Meeting of the Forum of
Ministers, the Resolution establishing the Forum of Latin American
and Caribbean Countries on Sustainable Development invites other
relevant regional intergovernmental mechanisms, including the Forum
of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean,
to provide inputs and contributions and to inform the Forum of
Latin American and Caribbean Countries on Sustainable Development,
within their current mandates, of their work related to the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and
the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.
58. The Forum held its first meeting in Mexico City from April
23 to 27, 2017. Representing the Chair of the Forum of Ministers of
the Environment, the Vice-Minister of Environment of Colombia
provided a report to the Forum. The UN Environment Program also
supported ECLAC by submitting inputs for the preparation of the
Annual Progress Report of the Secretariat and participating in the
deliberations on the environmental dimension of sustainable
development
Linkage to the United Nations Environment Assembly
59. The Forum also contributed to the implementation and global
monitoring of the environmental dimension through its linkage with
the United Nations Environment Assembly. In May 2016, the Forum of
Ministers of Environment brought the region's voice to the United
Nations Environment Assembly, sharing its vision on the main
environmental challenges of the region, as well as progress in
integrating the environmental dimension into sustainable
development. This contribution was integrated into the messages
that the Assembly transmits to the High-level Political Forum on
Sustainable Development to support its role in the follow-up and
review process of the 2030 Agenda.
60. The Second United Nations Environment Assembly adopted
Resolution 2/2 "The role and functions of regional forums of
ministers of environment and environmental authorities" in which it
recalled Council resolution 10 / V 1982, which recommended that the
governments of Latin America and the Caribbean should periodically
convene regional intergovernmental meetings on the environment in
Latin America and the Caribbean with a view to establishing
policies and a strategy for the region in this regard. And the
Executive Director of UN Environment had been requested to provide
support from the Permanent Secretariat to these regional
intergovernmental meetings, through the Office for Latin America
and the Caribbean.
61. It also welcomed the progress and achievements of the
regional forums of ministers of environment supported by UN
Environment and recognizing that these platforms are important in
strengthening the participation of countries in the preparation And
follow-up to the sessions of the United Nations Environment
Assembly of the United Nations Environment Program, recognizing
"the continued work of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of
Latin America and the Caribbean and taking Note of the results of
the XX meeting of the Forum held in March 2016 in Cartagena,
Colombia ".
62. In this resolution, the Assembly requested the Executive
Director, in accordance with UN Environments mandate and in
accordance with the program of work and budget, to support existing
regional forums of ministers and environment authorities and
facilitate its convening or strengthening.
Decision 5 - Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration -Access to
information, public participation and access to justice in
environmental matters
63. By means of this Decision, the XX Meeting of the Forum of
Ministers took note of progress made at the national level to
strengthen the rights enshrined in Principle 10, and the pending
challenges for its implementation as well as the particular
conditions of each country as well as the process of the
Declaration on the implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development in Latin America and the
Caribbean, in particular the establishment and functioning of an
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee with ECLAC as the technical
secretariat.
64. In this context, it was decided: 1. To reaffirm the
commitment to work towards achieving full implementation in Latin
America and the Caribbean of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on
Environment and Development, 2. To continue efforts to strengthen
regional dialogue and cooperation, technical assistance and
capacity building in support of the construction and implementation
of its own regional agenda on the rights of access, considering the
advances, tools, experiences and practices in place since the
adoption of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and
Development, including the ongoing intergovernmental negotiation
process in which participate the countries of the region that have
joined the Declaration A/CONF.216/13 on application of Principle
10.
65. In May 2016, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted
Resolution 2/25 "Implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development in the Latin American
and Caribbean region", recognizing That respect for the principles
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations in relation to
democracy, good governance and the rule of law at the national and
international levels is essential for sustainable development and
stressing that broad public participation And access to information
and judicial and administrative procedures are essential to promote
sustainable development.
66. Recalling its resolution 1/13 on this same subject and
noting the achievements at the national and regional levels in
strengthening the rights of access to information, justice and
participation in environmental matters, as well as the pending
issues for its implementation And the specific circumstances of
each country, the Assembly "1. Encourages countries to continue
their efforts to strengthen international dialogue and cooperation,
technical assistance and capacity-building in support of the
implementation of Principle 10 of the Declaration Taking into
account progress made since its adoption, existing instruments,
experiences and practices, and work towards strengthening the rule
of law at the international, regional and national levels, and 2.
Notes the progress made In the region of Latin America and the
Caribbean to promote the implementation of a regional agreement on
access To information, public participation and access to justice
in environmental matters enshrined in Principle 10 of the 1992 Rio
Declaration, with the support of the Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean as a technical secretariat.
67. Since the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers, the regional
process has continued to make progress. The Declaration currently
has 24 signatory countries and it is open to all countries in Latin
America and the Caribbean.
68. During the intersessional period of the Forum of Ministers,
five negotiation meetings were held in Montevideo, Santo Domingo,
Santiago de Chile, Brasilia and Buenos Aires. At the Seventh
Meeting of the Negotiating Committee held in Buenos Aires from 31
July to 4st August , 2017, significant progress was made in
negotiating the text compiled by the Board, which will be included
in a seventh version of said document. It was also decided to hold
the Eighth Meeting, in November 2017, the venue is to be
confirmed.
69. During this period UN Environment has developed and
presented in the region the implementation guide "Implementing
Principle 10 of Rio" (October 2015). Based on extensive national
experience, the Bali Guidelines Implementation Guide is a practical
tool to assist countries in developing and improving national
legislation and institutions required to comply with Rio Principle
10. It includes examples of best practices, analyzes each of the
elements, provides case studies on its application and outlines
possible implications at the institutional level.
70. Likewise, on the occasion of the Fifth Meeting of the
Negotiating Committee, in November 2016, UN Environment and ECLAC
co-organized the High Level Conference on Environmental Justice and
Access Rights for Sustainable Development in Latin America and the
Caribbean, with the participation of supreme court judges from
countries in the region.
71. In March 2017, on the occasion of the Seventh Negotiating
Meeting, ECLAC presented the Clearinghouse on laws, policies,
jurisprudence and treaties guaranteeing that the rights of
individuals to information, participation and justice in
environmental matters, enshrined in Principle 10 of the Rio
Declaration, be fully implemented. This Clearinghouse is an
initiative to contribute to having better knowledge, dissemination
and implementation of the rights of access to information, public
participation and access to justice in environmental matters. The
development of the Clearinghouse was supported by the United
Nations Development Account through the project "Addressing
fundamental socio-environmental challenges in Latin America and the
Caribbean". This information clearing house aims to promote
synergies and foster coordination in capacity building in
environmental access rights at the regional level. It also seeks to
contribute to the negotiations for the elaboration of a regional
agreement on access to information, participation and justice in
environmental matters in Latin America.
Decision 6 Sustainable Consumption and Production
72. Countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region have
made progress in decision-making as well as in the implementation
of policies, programmes and initiatives to promote more sustainable
patterns of consumption and production. The region has established
a Regional Strategy on Sustainable Consumption and Production with
the support of the Regional Council of Government Experts on
Sustainable Consumption and Production, which responds to nine
regional priorities, most of which are supported by the 10
Year-Framework of Programmes (10YFP). Many projects have been
implemented and several meetings, workshops and conferences have
been held in recent months, to strengthen the capacity of countries
to make progress in the implementation of their national
sustainable consumption and production agendas.
73. In response to Decision 6 on Sustainable Consumption and
Production, from the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of LAC,
the main activities developed and planned for the coming months are
described below.
74. In compliance with specific decision No. 1 to reiterate the
commitment of the Latin America and the Caribbean region to support
the implementation of the Ten-Year Framework of Programmes on
Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP) and to
maintain an active role in its promotion, specific decision No. 2
Invite countries of our region to use the 10YFP as one of the
mechanisms to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); and
specific decision No. 3 Invite countries to work towards the
implementation of the Regional Strategy for Sustainable Consumption
and Production and its roadmap (20152016), the following activities
were held:
a. UN Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organisation with
the support of the Governments of Costa Rica and Honduras organised
the International Workshop on Challenges and Opportunities of
Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Latin America in June 6 and 7,
2017. The workshop contributes to the Sustainable Food Systems
Program from the 10 Year-Framework of Programs (10YFP). Many
experts of scientific organisations took part in the workshop. As a
result of the meeting, a report on technical and policy
recommendations was prepared and subsequently presented at the
10YFP Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems Program, which
took place in June 2017 in South Africa.
b. Progress has been made in the implementation of two projects
in Colombia and Honduras with support of the United Nations
Development Account (UNDA). The Project in Colombia, where the
national counterpart is the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable
Development, one of the results is an evaluation of waste
management in the sub-sectors of prepared foods and dishes in
Bogot, focused mainly on food waste. The Project in Honduras, where
the national counterpart is CONADES (National Sustainable
Development Council, for its acronym in Spanish) has generated as a
result, a preliminary National Action Plan on Sustainable
Consumption and Production which has involved different key actors
at the national level in the development process.
c. UN Environment has presented the work on sustainable
lifestyles in different events in Panama City, Medelln-Colombia,
Crdoba-Argentina.
75. In compliance with specific decision No. 4 to "strengthen
the 10YFP National Focal Points and the 10YFP National Stakeholders
Focal Points, the following activities were held:
a. Three conference calls to: a) inform the Executive Committee
of the Regional Council on Sustainable Consumption and Production
on ongoing activities in accordance with the 2016-2017 Work Plan of
the Regional Strategy for the Implementation of the 10YFP in LAC
(2015-2022); b) Prepare alongside the Regional Council the meeting
for the 10YFP Board which took place in Paris from 9 to 10 April,
2017. As a result, a list of priorities that the Regional Council
identified were presented to the 10YFP Board; c) Prepare with the
Regional Council the South-South Cooperation Conference on SCP,
which took place in Brasilia, Brazil, in April 2017.
b. The Annual Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Regional
Council on Sustainable Consumption and Production was held with the
objective of identifying the main regional priorities and key
messages to development agencies in order to make better use of the
South-South Cooperation Conference on sustainable consumption and
Production in Brazil. As a result, contributions for the Roadmap
2017-2018 for the implementation of the 10YFP were received.
76. In compliance with specific decision No. 5 to "integrate as
a cross-cutting element in all of the 10YFP programmes, the need to
assist the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the following was
implemented:,
a. In the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Regional
Council on Sustainable Consumption and Production, the 10YFP
Secretariat committed to work with the Programmes to mainstream the
assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises.
b. UN Environment, in collaboration with the European
Commission, implemented a project to promote resource efficiency
and eco-innovation in eight countries at the global level,
including Colombia and Peru. As main results, it can be highlighted
that both countries developed a strategic report called
"Integrating eco-innovation into national sustainable consumption
and production frameworks", the implementation of a number of
eco-innovation actions prioritized in a Policy Roadmap with a
duration of five years, and ten case studies on SMEs, five in the
chemical sector in Colombia and five in the metalmechanic sector in
Peru, that indicate the economic, environmental and social benefits
of implementing eco-innovation. Eco-innovation workshops have been
also held in Argentina and Chile and collaborations have been
carried out with key actors of the industry in Brazil (SEBRAE) to
build capacities and promote the implementation of resource
efficiency and eco-innovation tools in Small and Medium Enterprises
in these countries.
77. In compliance with specific decision No.6 "to promote
integrated waste management as a new program of the 10YFP", the
following activities were carried out:
a. At the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Regional
Council on Consumption and Sustainable Production, the Secretariat
of the 10YFP commited to work with the Programs to integrate
transversally waste management aspects.
b. A Seminar on municipal organic waste management is being
organized at the South-South Cooperation Conference (ISWA) to be
held in the framework of the Waste Expo Brazil Fair (21-23 Nov,
2017).
78. Pursuant to specific decision No. 7 on "replicate and expand
the best practices in sustainable public procurement", the
following activities were carried out:
a. Through the project "Stimulating the supply and demand of
sustainable goods and services through sustainable public
procurement and Eco-labeling" (SPPEL) implemented by UN Environment
and funded by the European Comission, and through the activities of
the 10YFP Sustainable Public Procurement Program, support has been
provided to countries to develop and implement policies and action
plans for sustainable public procurement.
b. A number of important developments can be mentioned: Costa
Rica issued the first sustainable public procurement policy in the
region in January 2016. Several countries have made progress in the
development and implementation of National Action Plans or
Strategies for Sustainable Public Procurement (Colombia, Ecuador,
Peru, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico). In addition, a number of
countries have continued to develop tools to facilitate the
implementation of sustainable public procurement at the practical
level, to mention a few: a technical normative for sustainable
public procurement (Costa Rica), online training materials (Costa
Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina), methodologies for developing
sustainability criteria for products (Brazil), guides or manuals
for sustainable public procurement (Colombia, Argentina) and
methodologies for involving the private sector in sustainable
public procurement (Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Brazil ,
Colombia, Peru, Ecuador). In several countries such as Brazil,
Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, El Salvador and the Dominican
Republic, sustainability criteria have been incorporated into price
framework agreements or public procurement processes successfully.
Some Caribbean countries (Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica and Saint
Lucia) have recognized the importance of sustainable public
procurement as a tool for green growth and are beginning to
progress towards their implementation.
c. Cooperation with other multilateral and cooperation agencies
has progressed with the objective of adding efforts for the
implementation of sustainable public procurement at the regional
level. A Regional Online Platform for the Implementation of
Sustainable Public Procurement is currently being developed jointly
with the Organization of American States (OAS) which is the
Secretariat of the Inter-American Network of Government Procurement
(INGP). Likewise, cooperation with GIZ also took place in a Pacific
Alliance project on sustainable consumption and production, in
which there was a component of sustainable public procurement, to
articulate efforts with the SPPEL activities carried out in Chile,
Colombia and Peru.
79. Pursuant to specific decision No. 8 on "strengthen the
inclusion of sustainable consumption and production approaches in
the regional and national climate change strategies and
initiatives", the following activities were carried out:
a. Two IKI projects are currently being implemented "Advancing
and measuring sustainable consumption and production for low carbon
economies" in Chile and Peru, which objective is to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions through the development of public policies
that promote consumption and sustainable production. In Peru, the
project is promoting the use of life cycle thinking and the
development of tools in strategic sectors (hydroelectric,
hydrocarbons and landfills), to support decision making for the
reduction of GHG emissions. In Chile, the project focuses in the
application of sustainable public procurement and eco-labelling
tools to support informed decision-making by the public sector and
end-users, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of key sectors
and mass consumption products. To this end, a National Action Plan
for Sustainable Public Procurement is being developed for Chile,
and a study on mass consumption products is being carried out to
identify and promote information on the sustainability of companies
and their products towards the final consumer.
80. Pursuant to specific decision No. 9 on "Invite all the
countries in the region to use the available scientific knowledge
on efficient management of natural resources and reduction of
environmental degradation", the following activities were carried
out:
a. The Meeting of the International Resource Panel will be held
in Lima (November 20-24, 2017). Peru joined the Steering Committee
of the International Resources Panel in 2014. Since then, they have
been actively participating in the meetings of the International
Resource Panel. As a sign of their continued commitment, Peru
offered to host the 21st meeting of the International Resource
Panel in Lima in November.
81. In compliance with specific decision No. 10 on "Articulate
environmental education and training processes in the development
of policies and technical and operative tools to achieve
sustainable consumption and production patterns" the following
activities were carried out:
a. The training "Life Cycle and Eco-innovation to promote
sustainable value chains in Latin America and the Caribbean" was
conducted in the framework of the VII International Conference on
Life Cycle Assessment in Latin America (June 2017). The training
was part of the project "Resource Efficiency through the
application of Life Cycle Thinking (REAL)", implemented by UN
Environment and funded by the European Commission.
b. UN Environment and the United Nations Institute for Training
and Research (UNITAR) developed the E-learning Course "Approaches
and Practical Tools for Sustainable Consumption and Production in
Latin America and the Caribbean" to be launched in October of 2017,
with the aim of expanding education opportunities on different
approaches and tools of sustainable consumption and sustainable in
the region.
82. Pursuant to specific decision No. 11 on "Strengthen efforts
aimed at improving resource efficiency in cities in order to
minimise their environmental and social impacts and to build cities
with more sustainable and inclusive lifestyles in the region" and
specific decision No. 16 "Promote the inclusion of issues
associated with sustainable consumption and production as well as
the analysis of possible synergies with other political forums or
relevant intergovernmental organisations in the region and
sub-regions, the following activities were carried out:
a. A side event was organized in Habitat III "Better cities,
better lifestyles in Habitat III in Quito, Ecuador (October 18,
2016)". This event brought together experts in sustainable cities
and lifestyles, to share the latest discoveries and research to
understand cities as metabolisms that can enable a sustainable
lifestyle for its citizens. The event also served as the setting
for launching an official UN publication "A Framework for Building
Sustainable Lifestyles, Determinants and Strategies".
83. In compliance with specific decision No. 14 "Facilitate and
strengthen, according to national legislation, the active
participation of the productive and service sectors, both SMEs and
large enterprises, in the implementation of practices of
sustainable consumption and production" the following activities
were carried out:
a. As a result of the training and dissemination activities of
the Eco-innovation Project implemented by UN Environment, the
following workshops were held in countries of the region: i)
Intensive Eco-innovation Workshop organized jointly with the
Ministry of Production of Argentina and the National Cleaner
Production Centers of Colombia and Peru in July 2017. As a result
of this workshop, the Argentine government's confirmed its interest
in continuing implementing the eco-innovation methodology in SMEs
that participate in its national programmes related to industrial
design and sustainable production. ii) Intensive Eco-Innovation
Workshop organized jointly with the Ministry of Environment of
Chile and the Climate Change Agency in September 2016. In addition,
UN Environment participated in the "Seminar on Sustainable Trade"
organized by PROCHILE on the 28th of September (Santiago) and
September 30 (Temuco) promoting the results and best practices of
eco-innovation with Chilean entrepreneurs and government
officials.
b. UN Environment in cooperation with the Waste and Resources
Action Program (WRAP), the Travel Foundation and the Technical
University of Denmark (DTU) - in collaboration with the Hotel
Associations in the Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia and relevant
national stakeholders from the public and private sector, are
implementing a project to analyze tourism value chains, prepare
policy recommendations and develop concrete action plans to help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the value chains of the tourism
sector of both countries.
84. In compliance with the specific decision No.15 on "Urge
international cooperation, private sector, financial sector and
countries, to provide technical assistance and funding for
initiatives involving implementation of sustainable consumption and
production in the region" the following activities were held:
a. South-South Cooperation Conference on Sustainable Consumption
and Production in Brazil, April 2017. The event brought together
200 government officials, representatives of regional institutions,
development agencies, civil society and the business sector from
Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Government
representatives, experts and development agencies were able to
exchange information on opportunities, benefits and challenges in
implementing South-South cooperation projects, on how to build
enabling conditions and identify specific areas and opportunities
for cooperation.
b. Within the framework of the UNDA Project in Honduras, which
focuses in the elaboration of the National Plan for Sustainable
Consumption and Production, an exchange of experiences was
facilitated among government officials from Brazil, Chile and
Honduras on the elaboration of National Plans for Sustainable
Consumption and Production in August 2017. The event served to
achieve the high level political commitment with which the current
process in Honduras now counts.
c. Responding to the Ministerial Agreement 21 on the Integrated
Management for Sustainable Consumption and Production in Ecuador,
which establishes that specific guidelines for the financial sector
should be implemented in the country, an approach process with the
UN Environment Initiative took place to explore similar promotion
mechanisms in the national plans being worked on.
85. In compliance with the specific decision No. 17 on "Continue
to work on the development and harmonisation of sustainable
consumption and production indicators as appropriate", the
following activities were carried out:
a. The Regional Meeting of Experts on Indicators of Sustainable
Consumption and Production was held in August 2016 in Panama City
(Panama). This meeting brought together representatives of 18
governments in the region. During the meeting, i) a proposal was
presented with indicators that contribute to the Latin American and
Caribbean Initiative for Sustainable Development (ILAC) in the
context of Agenda 2030 and the Regional Strategy on Sustainable
Consumption and Production; ii) a discussion of the harmonization
of indicators and their methodologies of measurement took place,
iii) relevant indicators that contribute to decision making
processes by the Ministries of Finance and Industry were
identified; and iv) a new list of indicators was established to
include them in ILAC. Additionally, on November 23, 2016, a
conference call was held with the Regional Council on Consumption
and Sustainable Production to report on the results of that
meeting.
Decision 7 Regional Platform on Climate Change
86. In compliance with Decision 7 on the Regional Platform for
Climate Change, two informal meetings with the countries on the
Board of Directors of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of
Latin America and the Caribbean have been held. The first meeting
was held on 4 October 2016 in Bogota, with the participation of
some countries of the Board of Directors of the Forum of Ministers
of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (Colombia,
Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay) who
were participating in other climate change meetings to exchange
views on the draft of the Work Plan for the proposed Platform. The
second meeting was held within the framework of the Conference of
the Parties (COP) 22 in Marrakech on 15 November 2016.
87. The meetings discussed the draft of the Work Plan for the
Platform. Currently, the suggested areas for implementation are as
follows: (i) Dialogue and exchange of experiences on climate
policy, (ii) Climate Action, Financing and other means of
implementation. It was concluded that the draft would be circulated
by the Chair of the Forum, Colombia, to the countries of the region
in order to receive their contributions to the document.
Decision 8 Chemicals and waste
Regional Cooperation / Intergovernmental Network
88. According to the Terms of Reference adopted by Decision 8,
the Intergovernmental Chemicals and Waste Network will be composed
of all the focal points nominated by the governments of the region
and, additionally, will have a Steering Committee composed of two
members from each of the sub-regions of Latin America and the
Caribbean (Mesoamerica, Caribbean, Andean Region and the Southern
Cone).
89. At the beginning of June, 2016, UN Environment sent a note
to the governments of the region inviting them to designate their
respective focal points for the Network as well as to express the
possible interest of their countries in being a part of the
Steering Committee. To date, the focal point nominations of
twenty-six governments in the region have been received.
90. With regard to the Steering Committee, it was established in
August of 2016 based on interest expressed and agreements among
sub-regions as follows: Mesoamerica: Costa Rica, and Mexico;
Caribbean: Jamaica, and Dominican Republic; Andean region:
Colombia, and Peru; Southern Cone: Brazil, and Uruguay. Since its
establishment, the Steering Committee has met six times, five
sessions by teleconference, and one face - to - face meeting, which
took place on 15-17 November 2016. The objectives and results of
this meeting are listed below:
a. To develop the operational regulations of the Network: the
Steering Committee agreed on the operational regulations, in
accordance with the mandate of the Forum of Ministers, which
establishes how the network will be organized, modalities of
participation of governmental and non-governmental actors,
functions of the Steering Committee and the Secretariat, etc. This
document was circulated to all the focal points of the Network.
b. To establish the process of development of the Regional
Action Plan, as well as its potential elements and scope, taking
into account the priorities and initiatives on chemicals and wastes
at regional and international levels: it was agreed to establish a
working group that, with the support of the focal points, will
develop the Network's regional action plan. The preliminary design
of the plan was discussed and a number of priority issues to
address in the region with regard to cooperation on chemicals and
wastes were identified.
c. Identify possible initial activities for exchange of
information: seventeen possible initial activities for information
exchange were identified.
91. Initial activities for information exchange: To date, the
countries of the region have exchanged their experiences in
developing legal frameworks and programmes for the sound management
of chemicals and wastes, including the management of industrial
chemicals (Brazil, Colombia , Chile), as well as financing
mechanisms for the management of chemicals (Legal and Institutional
infrastructures for the sound management of chemicals and measures
for Recovering costs of national Administrations-LIRA-Uruguay
guide) and projects (Argentina, Special Programme) during four
webinars, with an average of forty to fifty participants per
session.
92. The results of the questionnaire that was submitted by focal
points are currently being analyzed in order to support the
development process of the regional action plan, which should
reflect priority cooperation themes and actions.
The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management
(SAICM)
93. The 1st Meeting of the SAICM Intersessional Process for the
consideration of SAICM after 2020 was held on 7-9 February 2017. At
that meeting, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
highlighted the importance of SAICM and reiterated the region's
interest in participating actively in this process. The results
will be reflected in a detailed report of the meeting by the
Secretariat and in a summary by the co-chairs that reflects the
consensual elements (both are non-negotiated documents). Regional
SAICM meetings will take place in early 2018, prior to the next
intersessional meeting.
94. In 2016, the first special programme for the institutional
strengthening of chemical and waste conventions was held, where two
projects were assigned to countries in the region (Argentina and
the Dominican Republic). The second call closed on 20June 2017,
where several countries in the region presented new project
proposals, currently under review. The next call will take place in
early 2018.
BRS Conventions
95. The regional preparatory meeting for the Conference of the
Parties from the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions took
place in Sao Paolo on 28-30 May, 2017.
96. The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm
Conventions, together with UN Environment, the Office for the
Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) and the Brazilian Regional
Center of Stockholm (CETESB), organized a workshop on hazardous
waste and chemical emergencies, which took place in Sao Paolo (1-3
February, 2017.
Mercury and Lead
97. During this period (since April 2016) eight new countries in
the region have ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury
(Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador,
Honduras, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis), and others have already
reached ratification at the national level (Argentina) or have made
significant progress in the process. The Convention entered into
force on 16 August 2017 and the first Conference of the Parties
(COP1) will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 24 to 29
September 2017.
98. Numerous countries in the region have made progress with the
development of Minamata Initial Assessments, including the
development of mercury emission inventories, within the framework
of Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded projects. Some
countries have also initiated the development of National Plans of
Action for small-scale artisanal gold mining.
99. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) organized a
workshop on health-related aspects of the Minamata Convention in
Jamaica (18-19 October, 2016).
100. A Technical workshop on the Minamata Convention was held in
Sao Paolo on 27 and 31 March 2017 within the framework of the
preparatory meeting for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm
COPs.
101. The GRULAC preparatory meeting for COP1 was held in Buenos
Aires, Argentina, on 24-28 July 2017.
102. In October 2016 activities related to the International
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action were widely disseminated
in the region and further dissemination activities are planned in
the region for this year. At the end of 2016, a communication to
the Caribbean countries with information on lead removal in paints
was sent jointly from UN Environment and PAHO. As a follow up, a
webinar on lead in paintings for the Caribbean countries was
organized on 7 April, 2017, coinciding with World Health Day.
Waste Management
103. From 2016 to date, we have been working on the development
of the regional perspective of waste management in Latin America
and the Caribbean. Some fifteen countries in the region provided
national information on the generation and management of waste, and
several drafts of the report have been developed following the
Project Steering Committees recommendations. In November 2016, the
second meeting of the editorial team took place. During the months
of May-June 2017 the regional consultation of the draft was
circulated to the focal points and other parties, and it is
expected that the draft for regional consultation will be
circulated in order to have a new version by September of 2017.
104. In May of 2016, a regional workshop on waste management was
held in Montevideo, Uruguay, where several countries and
organizations in the region had the opportunity to train and
exchange experiences. In the framework of this event, the
Consortium of Universities for the sustainable management of waste
in Latin America and the Caribbean was also set up. The consortium
is formed by eight universities from seven countries of the region,
and it has developed an academic programme on integrated waste
management that is expected to be presented in October of 2017.
105. A conference on waste management and circular economy in
the Caribbean countries was held on 4-7July, 2017 in Kingston,
Jamaica, with the support of the Government of the Netherlands. The
event served to outline a possible regional action plan on waste
management in the Caribbean that is to be developed over the next
few months.
106. Three countries in the region (Honduras, Saint Lucia, and
Uruguay) are developing national and municipal waste management
strategies with the support of UN Environment.
Decision 9 - Towards the full implementation of the Regional
Plan of Action on Atmospheric Pollution
107. Despite not having resources for its operation, the
Intergovernmental Air Pollution Network is still active and in
continuous communication. Countries such as Mexico and Chile are
making great progress in the design of their national strategies
for air quality management. Significant South-South collaboration
projects have been generated from this ongoing dialogue (eg: Mexico
providing training to El Salvador for the installation of its air
quality monitoring system).
108. In terms of fuel quality, progress at the regional level is
more significant, with the adoption of stricter standards in, for
example, Paraguay, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.
Progress - Activities and results achieved
109. The Ministry of Environment of Peru and UN Environment with
the support of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, organized the
1st Regional Conference on Short-lived Climate
Pollutants[footnoteRef:7] (Lima, 5-6 May, 2016) with the objective
of promoting regional synergies on Short lived Climate Pollutants
for a continuous exchange of experiences and lessons learned with
regard to the implementation of policies, programmes, and projects
as well as an integrated database at the regional level. This
conference aimed to promote the exchange of scientific knowledge
and show progress in actions to improve air quality. [7:
Link:http://www.minam.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Resumen-Conferencias-CCVC_Lima-4-6-Mayo.pdf]
110. The conference was attended by representatives from
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico,
Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay to give an
account of the achievements in the implementation of the Regional
Action Plan for Intergovernmental Cooperation on Air Pollution.
111. The synergies between the work of the Intergovernmental
Network on Air Pollution and the work of the Climate & Clean
Air Coalition were also identified.
112. As members of the Coalition, Uruguay and Paraguay were
invited to apply for funding to strengthen their policy to reduce
short-lived climate pollutants under the Supporting National Action
and Planning on Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SNAP)
initiative.
113. The results of this conference include a) Increase in the
cooperation between the Network. Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia
sharing experiences on black carbon inventories; b) The proposals
of Paraguay and Uruguay were approved by the Climate & Clean
Air Coalition; and c) Agreement to find funding in order to be able
to hold a meeting with the network during the following year.
Awareness Raising -
114. A number of dissemination and awareness activities were
held during this period. A Webinar on Low Emission Development
Strategies in Latin America and the Caribbean
LEDSLAC[footnoteRef:8] platform- Air Quality, Climate Change and
Development in Latin America: Opportunities for the reduction of
Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (22 June, 2016), with the objective
of presenting the perspective of the policies and actions that are
implemented in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean with
regard to short-lived climate pollutants. During the webinar the
initiatives of the Climate & Clean Air Coalition, the results
of the Regional Assessment of Short-lived Climate Contaminants, and
the policy framework from Mexico that includes in its climate
change policies the reduction of these pollutants were presented. A
total of one hundred and twelve participants took part in the
webinar. [8: Link:
http://ledslac.org/es/portfolio-items/calidad-del-aire-cambio-climatico-y-desarrollo-en-latinoamerica-oportunidades-para-la-reduccion-de-contaminantes-climaticos-de-vida-corta/]
115. A Webinar BreathLife[footnoteRef:9] for a Joint Campaign of
UN Environment, the World Health Organization and the Climate &
Clean Air Coalition was held on 29 September, 2016. The webinar
allowed for an early presentation of the BreathLife campaign which
had been planned for UN Habitat III in Quito in October last year.
During this online session the objectives of the campaign with
regard to taking action at the city level were informed. Respira
Santiago (Breathe Santiago) (Chile) is the flagship campaign in the
region. As a result, Guadalajara joined the campaign for its launch
in Quito, Cusco, Medellin and Mexico City, alongside another 13
cities in the region that are joining the initiative. [9: Link:
http://breathelife2030.org/]
116. - The virtual session of UN Environment Latin America and
the Caribbean Office "Transport and air pollution", (2 March, 2017)
was held in the MOVE Platform as part of the initiatives promoted
by the UN Environment Latin America and the Caribbean Office,
MOVE[footnoteRef:10] has become the platform that seeks to promote
electric mobility for the region. [10: Link:
http://movelatam.org/groups/contaminacion-atmosferica-y-transporte/]
117. During the second day of debate, the impacts of transport
as the main source of air pollution in the cities of the region
were highlighted. The impacts of transport affect both climate
change and air quality. Existing data on its impact on health were
mentioned and effective policies for achieving clean and efficient
transportation were discussed from an air quality management
perspective. The session was dedicated to the work of the
Intergovernmental Air Pollution Network, the Spanish speaking
members were part of a very participatory audience.
Online meetings of the Intergovernmental Network Steering
Committee
118. The steering committee has representation from the four
sub-regions. It comprises Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil,
Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Mexico.
They meet periodically in order to analyze the alternatives to
promote the implementation of the regional action plan.
Future Activities
119. Mexico, based on funds from the Climate and Clean Air
Coalition, has decided to host a meeting of the Intergovernmental
Air Pollution Network. The meeting will be held on 24-26 October.
The Network Steering Committee has requested a much more pragmatic
and less procedural meeting that could contribute to the
elaboration of a regional proposal (from the countries that are
interested) to submit to the International funds. As a result of
this meeting it is expected a) identification of countries to
participate in the financing proposal for issues of air quality,
climate change and health, and b) a work program for the
preparation of the proposal
120. Finally more online training sessions are expected to be
held on topics proposed by the countries.
Decision 10 Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Sustainable
Development in Harmony with Nature
121. Decision 10 Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Sustainable
Development in Harmony with Nature of the XX Meeting of the Forum
of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean
represented an opportunity for the Latin American and Caribbean
region to unify their efforts toward the thirteenth Conference of
the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held in
Mexico, 4-17 December 2016. It also supported the implementation of
the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets, recognizing that the conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity offers the opportunity to
contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the
Sustainable Development Goals, to fight hunger, poverty as well as
to promote food security and human health.
Progress - Implemented activities and results achieved
122. In 2016 there were two conferences of parties to
biodiversity-related conventions, the Seventeenth Conference of the
Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which was held in South
Africa, 24 September to 5 October 2016 and the Thirteenth
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
held in Mexico 4-17, December, 2016. The region prepared for these
Conferences of the Parties by holding regional preparatory meetings
for the conference of the CITES and CBD parties, held in Antigua,
Guatemala, in August of 2016. This preparatory meeting allowed the
countries of the region to analyze, discuss and formulate regional
strategies around the different decisions proposed by the parties'
conferences. It also allowed for working sessions where possibly
complementary decisions between the two biodiversity-related
conventions were analyzed and discussed. In this sense, the basis
of synergies between biodiversity agreements as well as the
opportunity that the coordination between national entities
represents for the effective implementation of the commitments of
the decisions from the conferences of the parties was
discussed.
123. The Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention
on Biological Diversity was held in Mexico, 4-17 December 2016.
This meeting was a milestone for the environmental regime focused
on biodiversity. Hosted by the Government of Mexico, the conference
of the parties successfully advanced the concept of integrating
biodiversity in productive sectors such as agriculture, fisheries,
forestry and tourism. In this sense, the importance of biodiversity
in the productivity of sectors that traditionally have had a
significant impact on the alteration and destruction of vital
ecosystems was highlighted.
124. National dialogues on biodiversity and business were
carried out in partnership with the Governments of Chile and
Uruguay in November 2016. These dialogues allow the national
productive sectors to establish a common understanding of the value
and importance of biodiversity and ecosystems for their operations.
In this sense the dialogues presented the opportunity to advance
the understanding of ecosystem services and how these contribute to
the productivity of sectors of national importance.
125. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
continue to be an important platform for national biodiversity
priority-setting. There is an increase in the understanding of how
sustainable use of biodiversity can foster the creation of new
industries, employment opportunities, and boost national economic
diversification. In this regard, there is an increase in the
support of Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects for the
development and revision of NBSAPs in the countries of the
region.
126. The development of a Biodiversity Strategy for the
Caribbean is advancing towards a better understanding of the
region's priorities, as well as the identification of possible
joint actions at the regional and national levels to combat the
driving forces that cause disruption and destruction of ecosystems
vital to the productivity of the Caribbean biome. The strategy is
oriented to the island countries contained within the area of
cooperation of the CARICOM, as well as Cuba and the Dominican
Republic. There is an effort to identify and harmonize the various
initiatives, programmes and projects that currently interact in the
Caribbean region to ensure the coordination and facilitate the
identification of action plans based on cooperation and capacity
building to implement the Strategic Plan on Biodiversity 2011-2020
and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
127. UN Environment took the initiative to promote the
development with the countries of the region for a Regional
Cooperation Programme on Biodiversity, based on a process of
consultation and interaction with the countries of Latin America
and the Caribbean. The objective of the regional programme is to:
(i) Strengthen the institutional capacities of Latin American and
Caribbean countries to mainstream conservation and sustainable use
of biodiversity in the different productive sectors of the
countries, including fisheries, agriculture, energy, and other
priorities with regard to national particularities; (ii) To
promote, improve and facilitate the communication and exchange of
information between authorities and focal points on biological
diversity in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
128. The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the
Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their
Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity, continues to
provide an opportunity for the Latin American and Caribbean region
to develop national, sub regional and regional technical and
research capacities, by promoting access to genetic resources as
well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from
their use. In this regard, progress is being made in support of the
Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects to develop legal
frameworks to enable countries to regulate and monitor the
extraction of genetic resources, ensuring participation in the
distribution of benefits.
129. A growing area of interest for the region is the need for
greater understanding of the blue forests - mangroves, underwater
meadows and marshes - that are key in carbon capture and storage.
In this regard, a regional workshop on blue forests was held in
Panama under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project of the
same name.
Future Activities
130. The operation of a Regional Cooperation Program on
Biodiversity for Latin America and the Caribbean is expected by the
second half of 2017. The pillars are expected to be established
around a platform for the exchange of relevant information, that
includes the integration of biodiversity in different national
productive sectors of the region as well as the creation of an
active network of authorities and focal points that interact on a
regular basis from short and moderate sessions on critical and
priority issues for the region.
131. The holding of national dialogues on biodiversity and
business is an important platform for establishing a rapprochement
with the national productive sectors. Progress is expected at the
national and regional levels in the organization where these
dialogues take place. In September of 2017, the Mesoamerican
Workshop on BioTrade will be held in Costa Rica, in collaboration
with the Mesoamerican Alliance for Biodiversity and the German
Cooperation Agency (GIZ).
132. Eleven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean will
continue to develop and revise their National Biodiversity
Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), with the support of funding
from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
133. The culmination of the process of developing a biodiversity
strategy for the Caribbean, where the priorities of the region are
established, as well as developing possible joint actions at the
regional and national levels to combat the driving forces that
cause alteration and destruction of ecosystems that are vital to
the productivity of the Caribbean biome is expected.
134. The region is preparing for the twelfth Conference of the
Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species that will be held in
Indonesia in October of 2017. A regional preparatory meeting was
organized for this Conference
