The State of Global Environmental Governance 2020
-
Traditional multilateralism slows to a crawl when diplomats are unable to meet in person—whether in negotiating halls or informal corridor huddles.
-
Transparency is at a premium in the online world, where reliable Internet access and preferential time zones make it easier for some countries to meet in virtual spaces.
-
Some substantive decisions were made, though mostly by smaller bodies focused on implementation. Political will is vital if we are to build back better from the pandemic.
Our Earth Negotiations Bulletin team unpacks the rollercoaster year—from the heady optimism of early meetings to the suspension of face-to-face meetings in March followed by the urgent shift to online spaces to rebuild momentum. The report evaluates what works and what flops in the realm of "Zoomplomacy," early understandings of what impact the pandemic had on the global environment, and what we can hope for in 2021 as vaccination efforts unfurl across the planet.
Bringing their 28 years' expertise as trusted observers inside negotiating rooms, the Earth Negotiations Bulletin team offers a frank, concise look at how the international community struggled to address existing challenges while also accounting for one of the most destructive events of our age.
Participating experts
You might also be interested in
What Comes After Stockholm+50?
World leaders will mark half a century since the 1972 Stockholm Conference... and then depart. What comes next as we face accelerating societal and environmental challenges?
Source to Sea: Integrating the water agenda in 2023
2023 could prove to be a definitive year for facilitating an integrative perspective on water issues, from fresh water to the marine environment.
The Significance of Stockholm+50
Ambassador Johanna Lissinger-Peitz of Sweden explains why it matters that we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stockholm Conference and how we live up to its vision.
The Legacy of the Stockholm Conference
In 1972, the Stockholm Conference set off a chain of events that rewrote how countries tackle environmental challenges. How do we take the lessons of the past half century and apply them to our triple planetary crisis?