UN environmental conference tackles climate crisis

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has ended its session in early March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya and has resolved to intensify the efforts to resolve the “triple crisis” of our planet, which is climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, pollution and waste.

Backed by strong science, political resolve and engagement with society, the Assembly was an opportunity for world governments, civil society groups, the scientific community and the private sector to discuss waste reduction, more environmentally conscious mining activities.

It was also decided to step up the protection of the world's oceans, which inter alia face severe plastic pollution.

Namibia's Minister of Environment. Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Pohamba Shifeta said that “the spectre of climate change looms large, manifesting in prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns.” Namibia had committed to increase the percentage of solar and wind energy and to reduce plastic waste “.

” We have consultations with stakeholders, resulting in consensus on plastic products to be banned over the next two years,” the minister announced.

This would complement existing interventions, such as the levy on single use plastic bags and their ban in Namibia's national parks, he added.

The UNEA is the world’s highest-level decision-making body for matters related to the environment, with a membership of 193 states.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was founded in 1972 and works closely with its 193 member states and representatives from civil society, businesses and other major groups and stakeholders.

Brigitte Weidlich