Based on the EMG’s Terms of Reference, this strategic narrative aims to guide and frame the work of the EMG in 2023-2030, taking into account the results of past and ongoing EMG processes, the findings and recommendations of the EMG reports to the Stockholm+50 International Meeting, the UN Secretary-General’s report. A number of specific issues will be addressed under three broad thematic areas which will have the flexibility to absorb new and emerging issues.
EMG Strategic Narrative 2023-2030
Under each thematic area the EMG will seek to:
Enhance UN system coherence in addressing interlinked, intergenerational environmental crises of energy, biodiversity, climate, food and health;
Promote multilateral and multisectoral policy discussions and issue-based programming with respect to the international environmental and sustainable development agenda;
Prepare UN system-wide strategies and common approaches to promote policy coherence;
Prepare policy and normative guidance, guidelines and tools within the UN system;
Facilitate systematic approaches to data and knowledge aggregation and communication;
Ensure alignment with existing UN action plans and issue-based coordination platforms;
Improve visibility and public awareness of the EMG, and position it as a platform for UN system knowledge sharing;
Support the CEB, HLCP, HLCM and the UN Development Cooperation Office in mainstreaming and implementing environmental priorities across UN policies, programming, management and operations, including in UN Country Teams.
Key chemicals and their sources
A recent study found that there are at least 350,000 synthetic chemicals and mixtures of chemicals, with thousands being added each year.4 Yet, worryingly, we know almost nothing about most of their health and environmental consequences. Additionally, even when chemicals are deemed so harmful that they must be replaced, their replacements are also often found to be toxic (known as regrettable substitution). In recent years, hundreds of chemicals have been placed on lists for banning, restriction or substitution. Of particular concern are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which, as the name indicates, linger in the environment, can travel long distances, and have serious effects on the environment and biota. Although hundreds of chemicals have been recognised as POPs, some researchers believe thousands of other unrestricted chemicals meet the requirements to be classified that way.