State of Global Environmental Governance 2022

The 'State of Global Environmental Governance 2022' report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) reviews the progress of multilateral environmental negotiations in 2022. It highlights a significant rebound in face-to-face diplomacy following the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in landmark agreements on biodiversity and the establishment of a loss and damage fund for climate-vulnerable nations. The report also examines the integration of human rights into environmental policy and the impact of geopolitical conflicts, specifically the war in Ukraine, on global environmental governance.

• The year 2022 saw a significant return to face-to-face multilateralism after pandemic disruptions, with over 634 decisions made across 10 COPs and MOPs. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was particularly active, accounting for more than half of the total with 365 decisions.
• A major achievement in biodiversity governance was the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which replaces the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The GBF establishes a vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050, supported by four overarching goals and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.
• The international community reached a breakthrough at the Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Change Conference by agreeing to establish a fund and process to operationalize finance for 'loss and damage'—the permanent effects of climate change that exceed adaptation capabilities. This follows decades of advocacy by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
• The concept of 'nature-based solutions' (NbS) gained significant traction in 2022, being formally recognized by the UN Environment Assembly in Resolution 1/5. While adopted across various forums including the UNCCD and UNFCCC, the term faced pushback from some developing countries, notably Brazil, leading to the inclusion of 'ecosystem approaches' as a qualifier.
• In July 2022, the UN General Assembly recognized the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right. This milestone is reflected in the Global Biodiversity Framework's human rights-based approach and the Sharm El-Sheikh Implementation Plan, although the latter suggests countries only 'consider' these rights.
• Geopolitical conflict, specifically Russia's invasion of Ukraine, directly impacted environmental governance in 2022. This resulted in a landmark resolution by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands recognizing the disruption of the ecological status of 16 Ramsar Sites and potential damage to 15 others in Ukraine.
• New global initiatives were launched in 2022, including the start of negotiations for a treaty on plastics (aiming for conclusion by 2024) and the creation of a science-policy body for chemicals, waste, and pollution to mirror the roles of the IPCC and IPBES.

APA

Allan, J., Kosolapova, E., Rosen, T., Templeton, J., & Wagner, L. (2022). State of Global Environmental Governance 2022. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-02/state-global-environmental-governance-2022.pdf

Chicago

Allan, Jen, Elena Kosolapova, Tanya Rosen, Jessica Templeton, and Lynn Wagner. State of Global Environmental Governance 2022. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-02/state-global-environmental-governance-2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Allan |first1=Jen |last2=Kosolapova |first2=Elena |last3=Rosen |first3=Tanya |last4=Templeton |first4=Jessica |last5=Wagner |first5=Lynn |title=State of Global Environmental Governance 2022 |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-02/state-global-environmental-governance-2022.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allan2022state, author = {Allan, Jen and Kosolapova, Elena and Rosen, Tanya and Templeton, Jessica and Wagner, Lynn}, title = {{State of Global Environmental Governance 2022}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-02/state-global-environmental-governance-2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }