Rationalizing the Global Environmental Governance System: Synergies between Multilateral Environmental Agreements Pamela S. Chasek, Ph.D. Executive Editor, Earth Negotiations Bulletin International Institute for Sustainable Development Associate Professor of International Relations, Manhattan College

Key challenges 500 international treaties and agreements on the environment 500 international treaties and agreements on the environment 300 regional300 regional 155 biodiversity-related155 biodiversity-related 179 chemicals-related179 chemicals-related 46 land-related46 land-related 196 water-related196 water-related Proliferation of subsidiary bodies under these conventions. Proliferation of subsidiary bodies under these conventions. Conventions are largely sectoral in nature, geographically scattered and under different administrative arrangements. Conventions are largely sectoral in nature, geographically scattered and under different administrative arrangements. Sectors that are not covered by a MEA are now often covered by Forums. Sectors that are not covered by a MEA are now often covered by Forums. UN specialized agencies are increasingly taking environmental issues into consideration. UN specialized agencies are increasingly taking environmental issues into consideration.

So how do you rationalize and develop synergies between issues and conventions?

Lots of discussion and many workshops Synergies between the Rio Conventions Synergies between the Rio Conventions Synergies between the chemicals conventions Synergies between the chemicals conventions Synergies between biodiversity- related conventions Synergies between biodiversity- related conventions

Challenges in the Development of Synergies The need for synergies at the national level as well as the international level The need for synergies at the national level as well as the international level The dispersion of national focal points across government ministries and agencies The dispersion of national focal points across government ministries and agencies The importance of engaging the right actors The importance of engaging the right actors

Addressing Synergies at the International Level Convention Secretariats: Convention Secretariats: Strengthening communication and information exchange with other secretariatsStrengthening communication and information exchange with other secretariats Rationalizing reporting and national implementation requirementsRationalizing reporting and national implementation requirements At the COP level: At the COP level: Establishment of selected joint work programmesEstablishment of selected joint work programmes Systematically crosslink decisions in one COP with other COPs’ decisionsSystematically crosslink decisions in one COP with other COPs’ decisions

Addressing Synergies at the National Level Coordination between focal points for interrelated conventions Coordination between focal points for interrelated conventions Coordination of responsibilities of conventions between various sectoral policies Coordination of responsibilities of conventions between various sectoral policies Development of joint implementation programmes Development of joint implementation programmes Development of a more participatory approach Development of a more participatory approach Ensure political attention to promote capacity building Ensure political attention to promote capacity building Links with the development agenda at the country level Links with the development agenda at the country level Appropriate institutional mechanisms Appropriate institutional mechanisms Coordination of funding sources Coordination of funding sources

Example: African Focal Points Of the 53 African countries, only 21 list the same ministry as its focal point for all three Rio conventions. Of the 53 African countries, only 21 list the same ministry as its focal point for all three Rio conventions. In the other 32 countries often the focal points for two conventions are the same, but the third one is different. In the other 32 countries often the focal points for two conventions are the same, but the third one is different. Just looking at the UNCCD focal points alone, ministries include agriculture, environment, forests, and rural development. Just looking at the UNCCD focal points alone, ministries include agriculture, environment, forests, and rural development.

OECD Focal Points Of 25 OECD countries, 19 maintain UNCCD focal points in ministries of foreign affairs (environment or development departments within the ministry) or ministries of development cooperation Of 25 OECD countries, 19 maintain UNCCD focal points in ministries of foreign affairs (environment or development departments within the ministry) or ministries of development cooperation This is quite different from Africa This is quite different from Africa The five who maintain focal points in agriculture or environment ministries are those who suffer from desertification The five who maintain focal points in agriculture or environment ministries are those who suffer from desertification

International-National-Local No one has paid much attention to the local level. No one has paid much attention to the local level. Local people deal with problems, not conventions. Local people deal with problems, not conventions. Local people and organizations don’t always realize resources may be available. Local people and organizations don’t always realize resources may be available. National governments don’t always report local successes because of a disconnect between local activities and international reporting requirements. National governments don’t always report local successes because of a disconnect between local activities and international reporting requirements.

More Challenges in the Development of Synergies Conventions and the UN system have created competing ways of addressing facets of the same problem Conventions and the UN system have created competing ways of addressing facets of the same problem

National Govern- ment UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan of Action Soil Fertility Action Plan National Forestry Plan National Biodiversity Action Plan UNCCD National Action Programme National Develop- ment Plans POPs National Implement- ation Plans National Env. Mgmt Strategies National Sustainable Dev. Strategies Poverty Reduction Strategies

Additional Challenges Environmental issues are seldom at the top of the development cooperation agenda Environmental issues are seldom at the top of the development cooperation agenda Short-sighted political objectives Short-sighted political objectives Roles and responsibilities of the secretariats vary Roles and responsibilities of the secretariats vary

BonnMontreal UNCCDUNFCCCCBD UN Secretariat UNEP Global Mechanism GEF CSTSBSTASBSTTAIPCC Ad Hoc Groups

Moving Forward: Recommendations 1. Improve synergies at the national level. Between conventions and focal points Between conventions and focal points Coordination of MEA implementation and development planning Coordination of MEA implementation and development planning 2. Improve synergies among donors and recipients Coordination of funding programmes and projects that implement multiple MEAs Coordination of funding programmes and projects that implement multiple MEAs Implementation of the Paris Declaration – more coordinated and recipient driven funding Implementation of the Paris Declaration – more coordinated and recipient driven funding 3. Improve synergies in reporting requirements. Rationalize and possibly decrease reporting requirements Rationalize and possibly decrease reporting requirements Find similar issues across different MEAs where one coordinated report may suffice Find similar issues across different MEAs where one coordinated report may suffice 4. Improve synergies among scientific and technical bodies. Explore ways for greater cooperation between scientific and technical bodies Explore ways for greater cooperation between scientific and technical bodies Encourage greater communication and collaboration between ministry officials who attend different scientific and technical body meetings. Encourage greater communication and collaboration between ministry officials who attend different scientific and technical body meetings. Develop mechanisms for results of scientific and technical bodies to be taken up by political bodies (COPs, etc.) Develop mechanisms for results of scientific and technical bodies to be taken up by political bodies (COPs, etc.)

Thank you!