United Nations Environment Programme North American Regional Civil Society Consultation In Preparation for the 9th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum Facilitator’s Summary

The consultation focused on three primary policy areas: energy and the environment, chemicals management, and tourism and the environment. Participants discussed the role of civil society in engaging with UNEP and worked in parallel groups to draft recommendations for a North American Regional Civil Society Statement. The meeting also served to elect representatives for a global drafting session in Bahrain and the Global Civil Society Forum in Dubai.

• The consultation identified three main policy issues for the 2006 GC/GMEF: energy and the environment, chemicals management, and tourism and the environment.
• Regarding energy and the environment, discussions highlighted the impacts of disproportionate consumption, the vulnerability of energy infrastructure to climate-related disasters, and the need to promote renewables and photovoltaics.
• In chemicals management, the Stockholm Convention was noted as the first legally binding global instrument requiring national-level chemicals management. Participants suggested that UNEP could persuade wealthy governments to support chemical management infrastructure in needy countries through a new GEF operational program or by internalizing costs within the industry.
• On tourism and the environment, ecotourism was defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves local welfare. Discussions emphasized the need to apply sustainability principles to mega-sporting events, such as the Olympics, due to their significant environmental and social impacts.
• The consultation emphasized the specific environmental challenges of the Arctic region, noting that global warming impacts the hunting culture of the Inuit and that the region is facing significant resource development and investment.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2005). United Nations Environment Programme North American Regional Civil Society Consultation In Preparation for the 9th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum Facilitator’s Summary. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NA_CSO_FacilitatorSummary_2005.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. United Nations Environment Programme North American Regional Civil Society Consultation In Preparation for the 9th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum Facilitator’s Summary. 2005. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NA_CSO_FacilitatorSummary_2005.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=United Nations Environment Programme North American Regional Civil Society Consultation In Preparation for the 9th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum Facilitator’s Summary |date=28 October 2005 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NA_CSO_FacilitatorSummary_2005.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2005united, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{United Nations Environment Programme North American Regional Civil Society Consultation In Preparation for the 9th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum Facilitator’s Summary}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2005}, month = oct, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NA_CSO_FacilitatorSummary_2005.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }