The Road to Sustainable Transport
... environmental impacts” (HLAG-ST, 2016, p.10). Sustainable transport includes public transportation, such as electric buses and trains and ...
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Transport is at the center of many economic and social development challenges, accounting for about 64% of global oil consumption, 27% of all energy use, and 23% of the world’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Rethinking and revamping transit in the post-COVID era by implementing structural changes would go a long way toward reinforcing some of the positive impacts on emission levels and air quality created by efforts to curb the pandemic. ( Download PDF) ( <anchor>See all policy briefs</anchor>) ( Subscribe to ENB)
Still Only One Earth: Lessons from 50 years of UN sustainable development policy | International Institute for Sustainable Development
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# Still Only One Earth: Lessons from 50 years of UN sustainable development policy

As humanity confronts multiple global crises—climate change, biodiversity loss, rising pollution—it is critical to take stock of how environmental progress has been fostered in the past and how to leverage those lessons to rebuild multilateral cooperation in a post-COVID world.

Project

Start date: September 2020

End date: June 2022

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In the lead up to the 50th anniversaries of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment and the UN Environment Program in June 2022, the Earth Negotiations Bulletin team wrote a series of reports assessing the successes and shortcomings of five decades of global environmental policy. The Still Only One Earth policy brief series aims to build on the message of the [landmark 1972 UN report](https://books.google.ca/books/about/Only_One_Earth.html?id=xY7SVbu8D94C&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y) that reminded humanity we have no other home but this planet.

Drawing on the unparalleled environmental negotiation insights of the global [ENB team](https://enb.iisd.org/about/enb-team), Still Only One Earth draws on the lessons of the past to guide future endeavors to address the causes of climate change, support the sustainable management of natural resources, and foster fair and sustainable economies.

[Subscribe to ENB Update](https://bit.ly/enbupdate) to receive daily updates from environmental negotiations around the world.

## Still Only One Earth Briefs

[![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-09/earth_0.jpg?h=455794d2&itok=hsPRsl6L)\
\
**Stockholm and the Birth of Environmental Diplomacy**\
\
The 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm began a new era of global cooperation on environmental issues.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/stockholm-and-birth-environmental-diplomacy "Stockholm and the Birth of Environmental Diplomacy") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-09/corn-Bart-Heird-unsplash.jpg?h=3dbd9eac&itok=qsCjYdyl)\
\
**Biological Diversity: Protecting the variety of life on Earth**\
\
It’s increasingly clear we need a significant policy shift away from “business as usual” to reverse the alarming rate of biodiversity loss.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/biological-diversity-protecting-variety-life-earth "Biological Diversity: Protecting the variety of life on Earth") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-10/pangolin_0.jpg?h=ffdcf4a9&itok=IJZODic5)\
\
**The Evolving War on Illegal Wildlife Trafficking**\
\
Wildlife trafficking is causing unprecedented declines in some species and can potentially spread zoonoses, such as the one that causes COVID-19.](/articles/deep-dive/evolving-war-illegal-wildlife-trade "The Evolving War on Illegal Wildlife Trafficking") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-10/caution_0.jpg?h=da47ec11&itok=xigCeYCB)\
\
**The Precautionary Principle**\
\
Understand a controversial legal principle that shapes trade, environmental action, and pandemic response.](/articles/deep-dive/precautionary-principle "The Precautionary Principle") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-11/global-sustainable-energy.jpg?h=0380e1ad&itok=Z26JsUjz)\
\
**The Global Governance of Sustainable Energy**\
\
The sustainable energy transition is not guided by a central, hierarchical organization—an approach with many positive features worth imitating.](/articles/global-governance-sustainable-energy "The Global Governance of Sustainable Energy") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-12/financing-development_0.jpg?h=0722f989&itok=aWMJ4G6K)\
\
**Harnessing the Power of Finance and Technology to Deliver Sustainable Development**\
\
Without transferring technological and financial resources to developing countries, we cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change.](/articles/deep-dive/harnessing-power-finance-and-technology-deliver-sustainable-development "Harnessing the Power of Finance and Technology to Deliver Sustainable Development") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-12/Karnataka-crops-rain.jpg?h=5bd461aa&itok=Ua38qgv3)\
\
**Global Climate Change Governance: The search for effectiveness and universality**\
\
Countries' collective emission reduction pledges to fight climate change remain far from sufficient. What efforts and disputes led us to this crisis?](/articles/deep-dive/global-climate-change-governance-search-effectiveness-and-universality "Global Climate Change Governance: The search for effectiveness and universality") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-12/plastic-in-ocean.jpg?h=e16d9e5b&itok=tmM2PWUj)\
\
**Confronting the Plastic Pollution Pandemic**\
\
Countries should carefully weigh the advantages and drawbacks of a proposed new global treaty on plastic pollution.](/articles/deep-dive/confronting-plastic-pollution-pandemic "Confronting the Plastic Pollution Pandemic") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-01/hawksbill%20turtle.jpg?h=170ba4b8&itok=kh6eq0ny)\
\
**Protecting the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities**\
\
The experience of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities shows the double-edged nature of multi-stakeholder partnerships.](/articles/deep-dive/protecting-marine-environment-land-based-activities "Protecting the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-01/sdgs-un-headquarters.jpg?h=170ba4b8&itok=lVf2sS7M)\
\
**What the World Learned Setting Development Goals**\
\
The Sustainable Development Goals may offer the best option to coordinate a global response to COVID-19, reduce the worst impacts, and “build back better.”](/articles/deep-dive/what-world-learned-setting-development-goals "What the World Learned Setting Development Goals") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-02/burning_waste_ghana_fairphone.jpg?h=3a367363&itok=hxXC7fv6)\
\
**Merging the Poverty and Environment Agendas**\
\
Climate change, conflict, and COVID-19 are forcing a reassessment of how we eradicate poverty while addressing a planetary emergency](https://www.iisd.org/articles/merging-poverty-and-environment-agendas "Merging the Poverty and Environment Agendas") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-02/shipping-port-aerial-view.jpg?h=70525e88&itok=IYkgnf6q)\
\
**The Evolution of Private Sector Action in Sustainable Development**\
\
The history of private sector engagement in sustainable development is rife with controversy—and some genuine transformation.](/articles/deep-dive/evolution-private-sector-action-sustainable-development "The Evolution of Private Sector Action in Sustainable Development") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-03/covid_masks_london.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=tF3cLswX)\
\
**COVID-19 and Planetary Health: How a Pandemic Could Pave the Way for a Green Recovery**\
\
Environment and health ministries need to form joint agendas and link policy and programming to facilitate a green recovery from COVID-19.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/covid-19-and-planetary-health-how-pandemic-could-pave-way-green-recovery "COVID-19 and Planetary Health: How a Pandemic Could Pave the Way for a Green Recovery") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-03/woman_farmer_grass.jpg?h=44590859&itok=3hLV9PAz)\
\
**Gender Equality: The Formula to Accelerate Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development**\
\
Addressing gender inequalities—including access to and control over natural resources—accelerates the impact of sustainable development policies.](/articles/deep-dive/gender-equality-formula-accelerate-implementation-2030-agenda-sustainable "Gender Equality: The Formula to Accelerate Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-03/grenada.jpg?h=87b5bc2f&itok=pZy3Av2C)\
\
**Small Islands, Large Oceans: Voices on the Frontlines of Climate Change**\
\
For SIDS to survive climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to adopt an integrated approach that promotes economic diversification, innovative financing instruments, and scaling up the blue economy.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/small-islands-large-oceans-voices-frontlines-climate-change "Small Islands, Large Oceans: Voices on the Frontlines of Climate Change") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-04/brazilian_amazon_lumber.jpg?h=170ba4b8&itok=Q3h1JRYF)\
\
**The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: The Governance Challenge**\
\
Over-exploitation of natural resources harms the health of ecosystems and the livelihoods and wellbeing of people, but there are fair policy options.](/articles/deep-dive/sustainable-use-natural-resources-governance-challenge "The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: The Governance Challenge") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/spotlight/oceans%20fish.jpg?h=3d347cc4&itok=gvlTxrxu)\
\
**The "Crown Jewels" of Environmental Diplomacy: Assessing the UNEP Regional Seas Programme**\
\
The Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans have achieved significant impacts, including pollution prevention and coastal zone management. They’re an excellent testament for the strategy of segmenting environment action by region.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/crown-jewels-environmental-diplomacy-assessing-unep-regional-seas-programme "The &quot;Crown Jewels&quot; of Environmental Diplomacy: Assessing the UNEP Regional Seas Programme") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-05/analyzing-grain.jpg?h=ee241427&itok=6J4UA3Lo)\
\
**Biosafety: Ensuring the Safe Use of Modern Biotechnologies**\
\
As more genetically modified crops, insects, and fish are developed, the scientific and policy debates on the potential benefits and risks of biotechnologies remain polarized.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/biosafety-ensuring-safe-use-modern-biotechnologies "Biosafety: Ensuring the Safe Use of Modern Biotechnologies") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-05/bus%20rapid%20transit.jpg?h=170ba4b8&itok=nO5R9xYo)\
\
**The Road to Sustainable Transport**\
\
Rethinking and revamping transportation in the post-COVID era could address many economic, social, and environmental challenges.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/road-sustainable-transport "The Road to Sustainable Transport") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-05/coral-reef-diver.jpg?h=170ba4b8&itok=OjOBINfd)\
\
**Coral Reefs: Strategies for Ecosystems on the Edge**\
\
Local stressors and climate change are causing a sharp decline in coral reefs and the more than 230 international agreements with coral reef provisions have failed to protect these “rainforests of the sea."](https://www.iisd.org/articles/coral-reefs-strategies-ecosystems-edge "Coral Reefs: Strategies for Ecosystems on the Edge") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-05/the-ocean.jpg?h=96f33243&itok=lxS3vk2z)\
\
**The Rising Pressures on Ocean Governance**\
\
The ocean is under serious threat, with stressors that include overfishing, marine pollution, habitat destruction, and acidification.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/rising-pressures-ocean-governance "The Rising Pressures on Ocean Governance") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-06/Rio_plus_20.jpg?h=8ac6b972&itok=q2iobyDP)\
\
**Do Mega-Conferences Advance Sustainable Development?**\
\
By including governments, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders, UN mega-conferences have attempted to legitimize and expand global sustainable development governance.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/do-mega-conferences-advance-sustainable-development "Do Mega-Conferences Advance Sustainable Development?") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-07/iStock-1250032086.jpg?h=1116cd87&itok=fzXPlaB6)\
\
**How to Regulate Our Waste-Full World**\
\
Going forward, the legitimacy of global governance of hazardous wastes may rest on its ability to enable governments protect the most vulnerable.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/how-regulate-our-waste-full-world "How to Regulate Our Waste-Full World") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-08/sustainable-consumption.jpg?h=119335f7&itok=PMobG3gR)\
\
**Doing More with Less: Ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production**\
\
Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns has been one of the greatest global challenges over the past fifty years.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/doing-more-less-ensuring-sustainable-consumption-and-production "Doing More with Less: Ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-09/ozone%20hole.png?h=d1cb525d&itok=j8FR0QS2)\
\
**Healing the Ozone Layer Through Diplomacy**\
\
The Montreal Protocol shows what is possible when science, diplomacy, and business cooperate to implement international environmental agreements. But despite its success, there is still more work to be done.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/healing-ozone-layer "Healing the Ozone Layer Through Diplomacy") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-10/mining-by-water.jpg?h=7c23b20f&itok=i4UH8QG4)\
\
**How to Advance Sustainable Mining**\
\
Regulation of mining activities depends mainly on national frameworks and policies, but implementing good plans and practices remains problematic.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/how-advance-sustainable-mining "How to Advance Sustainable Mining") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-10/5pez-peste_9599.jpg?h=918debf8&itok=hWlu6JaO)\
\
**The Incremental Approach to Governing Mercury**\
\
Years of activism over mercury poisoning led to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Going forward, work remains for regulating a critical emitter of mercury.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/governing-mercury "The Incremental Approach to Governing Mercury") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-11/ocean-dumping.jpg?h=b8b694b8&itok=HBYH--LA)\
\
**“The Ocean Is Not a Dumping Ground” Fifty Years of Regulating Ocean Dumping**\
\
Dumping waste not only threatens the ocean we know, but also the 80% of the ocean that has yet to be explored.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/regulating-ocean-dumping "“The Ocean Is Not a Dumping Ground” Fifty Years of Regulating Ocean Dumping") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-01/land_degradation_neutrality.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=ENlTTlhl)\
\
**From Land Degradation to Land Restoration**\
\
Combating desertification, land degradation, and droughts can win socio-economic benefits for people in drylands and reduce climate change impacts.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/land-degradation-land-restoration "From Land Degradation to Land Restoration") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-01/ipcc_science_policy_interface.jpg?h=2992ba0a&itok=X5xHXf7b)\
\
**Science-Policy Interfaces: From Warnings to Solutions**\
\
What lessons have we learned at bridging the enduring gulf between environmental science and policymaking?](https://www.iisd.org/articles/science-policy-interfaces "Science-Policy Interfaces: From Warnings to Solutions") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-10/power-plant-emissions-sky.jpg?h=160995c1&itok=9MIF_l7g)\
\
**How to Enforce the Polluter-Pays Principle**\
\
The simple but compelling idea that the "polluter pays" comes with considerable uncertainties and ambiguities during its use.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/polluter-pays-principle "How to Enforce the Polluter-Pays Principle") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-09/cargo-ship-trade-sustainability-review.png?h=b5f19eb2&itok=9fRAZ3GT)\
\
**Trade and the Environment: The Search for Sustainable Solutions**\
\
While the interactions between trade and the environment are complex, pursuing policy coherence is imperative to leave no one behind.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/trade-and-environment "Trade and the Environment: The Search for Sustainable Solutions") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-02/lion-wildlife%20%283%29.jpg?h=cd9e7de6&itok=C6oPrdVn)\
\
**Protecting Endangered Species**\
\
Despite continued conservation efforts, the status of many endangered species remains unchanged.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/protecting-endangered-species "Protecting Endangered Species") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-03/hand-washing-water.jpg?h=0b342c57&itok=BEhgwby_)\
\
**The Water and Sanitation Challenge**\
\
For universal access to become a reality, governments and private-sector service providers should adopt a human rights-based approach to ensure water and sanitation services are safe, available, accessible, affordable, and culturally acceptable.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/analysis/water-and-sanitation-challenge "The Water and Sanitation Challenge") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-04/arctic.jpg?h=b7034dfa&itok=045MKjTJ)\
\
**A Warming Arctic is a Warning for the World**\
\
The Arctic is warming at a faster rate than other regions in the world and summer sea ice could disappear entirely as early as 2035. Cooperation among Arctic states is needed more than ever to ensure the Arctic, its inhabitants, and their way of life survive.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/arctic-warming "A Warming Arctic is a Warning for the World") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-04/navajo-women-monument-valley.jpg?h=e4f440a4&itok=gh6WIhzU)\
\
**Indigenous Peoples: Defending an Environment for All**\
\
International environmental negotiations need to go beyond tokenistic participation of Indigenous Peoples to a genuine integration of their worldviews and knowledge.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/indigenous-peoples-defending-environment-all "Indigenous Peoples: Defending an Environment for All") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-07/vancouver-canada.jpg?h=48a2d82f&itok=8pHTwt3U)\
\
**Pathways to Sustainable Cities**\
\
Urban planning needs to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of local communities and build on participatory approaches that foster the engagement of marginalized actors.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/pathways-sustainable-cities "Pathways to Sustainable Cities") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-05/forest-governance_0.jpg?h=2e5cdddf&itok=TDznH-ag)\
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**The Roots of Forest Loss and Governance**\
\
If lessons from past failures on reducing deforestation can be learned, forest protection could play a major role in reversing both climate change and biodiversity loss.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/forest-loss-and-governance "The Roots of Forest Loss and Governance") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-05/haiti-earthquake.jpg?h=265e640d&itok=F9vI2-hN)\
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**Disaster Risk Reduction in an Unstable World**\
\
Between 1970 and 2019, more than 11,000 disasters were attributed to weather, climate, and water-related hazards, accounting for more than two million deaths and USD 3.64 trillion in losses.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/disaster-risk-reduction "Disaster Risk Reduction in an Unstable World") [![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2022-05/stockholm.jpg?h=140710cd&itok=-IoCGii8)\
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**The Legacies of the Stockholm Conference**\
\
Multilateralism is key to solving today’s global environmental challenges, but it may not be enough to avert catastrophic damage unless governments and all stakeholders rise to the occasion.](https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/stockholm-conference-legacy "The Legacies of the Stockholm Conference")

## Project team

[![jennifer-allan-2019-web.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/jennifer-allan-2019-web.jpg?h=4de69ae3&itok=ER4TvKOB)\
**Jennifer Allan**\
\
Writer/Editor, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/jennifer-allan  "Find out more about Jennifer Allan") [![Jennifer Bansard](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-01/jennifer-bansard-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=LwXUnC_2)\
**Jennifer Bansard**\
\
Writer, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/jennifer-bansard  "Find out more about Jennifer Bansard") [![Paola Bettelli](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-01/paola-bettelli.jpg?h=40ff9ece&itok=ayV7d75t)\
**Paola Bettelli**\
\
Writer, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/paola-bettelli  "Find out more about Paola Bettelli") [![Chasek.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/Chasek.jpg?h=ab622562&itok=tlobXoiy)\
**Pamela Chasek**\
\
Executive Editor, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/pamela-chasek  "Find out more about Pamela Chasek") [![Nicole de Paula](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-03/nicole_de_paula.jpg?h=ffed8f21&itok=Qhgu9iiW)\
**Nicole de Paula**\
\
Writer/Editor Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/nicole-de-paula  "Find out more about Nicole de Paula") [![Peter Doran](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-08/peter-doran.jpg?h=4de69ae3&itok=ytPdopmp)\
**Peter Doran**\
\
Writer/Editor and Team Leader Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/peter-doran  "Find out more about Peter Doran") [![dina.png](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/dina.png?h=a7e6d17b&itok=PoVez7OE)\
**Dina Hestad (Dr.)**\
\
Writer, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/dina-hestad-dr  "Find out more about Dina Hestad (Dr.)") [![Tallash Kantai](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-01/tallash-kantai-2022.jpg?h=24bb4938&itok=-IRK2vb-)\
**Tallash Kantai**\
\
Digital Editor/Writer Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/tallash-kantai  "Find out more about Tallash Kantai") [![Pia Kohler](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-01/pia_kohler_2022.jpg?h=d1e7c0a3&itok=jpeT6umw)\
**Pia Kohler**\
\
Writer/Editor Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/pia-kohler  "Find out more about Pia Kohler") [![Elena Kosolapova](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-05/elena-kosolapova-2024_0.jpg?h=f3bb022a&itok=LVIm3NKn)\
**Elena Kosolapova**\
\
Senior Policy Advisor, Tracking Progress]( /people/elena-kosolapova  "Find out more about Elena Kosolapova") [![Ana Maria Lebada](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-06/ana_maria_lebada.png?h=4c55e9d8&itok=VW_kaYWi)\
**Ana-Maria Lebada**\
\
Writer Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/ana-maria-lebada  "Find out more about Ana-Maria Lebada") [![Mari Luomi](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-01/mari-luomi-2022.jpg?h=fbf7a813&itok=hInee_Lc)\
**Mari Luomi (PhD)**\
\
Writer/Editor Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/mari-luomi-phd  "Find out more about Mari Luomi (PhD)") [![Suzi Malan](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-01/suzi-malan-2022.jpg?h=5636fc5d&itok=F6f26eC2)\
**Suzi Malan (Dr.)**\
\
Writer, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/suzi-malan-dr  "Find out more about Suzi Malan (Dr.)") [![leila_mead2.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/leila_mead2.jpg?h=c8e55dd6&itok=F1x2T_Y4)\
**Leila Mead**\
\
Digital Editor/Writer/Editor Earth Negotiations Bulletin and Photographer]( /people/leila-mead  "Find out more about Leila Mead") [![Delia Paul](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-02/Delia%20Paul.jpg?h=fb221111&itok=4_17xTvL)\
**Delia Paul**\
\
Writer/Editor Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/delia-paul  "Find out more about Delia Paul") [![Teya Penniman](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-06/Teya_Penniman.jpg?h=95e21eba&itok=2bLm7kds)\
**Teya Penniman**\
\
Team Leader, Writer, Video Producer, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/teya-penniman  "Find out more about Teya Penniman") [![Jose-Felix-Pinto-Bazurco.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/Jose-Felix-Pinto-Bazurco.jpg?h=08b866d1&itok=Wp6dp-ik)\
**Jose Felix Pinto-Bazurco Ph.D.**\
\
Writer, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/jose-felix-pinto-bazurco-phd  "Find out more about Jose Felix Pinto-Bazurco Ph.D.") [![Tanya Rosen](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2020-10/Tanya-Rosen-2020.jpg?h=12b130bc&itok=xDW3WCuF)\
**Tanya Rosen**\
\
Writer, Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/tanya-rosen  "Find out more about Tanya Rosen") [![Mika Schroder](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-01/mika-schr%C3%B6der-2022_0.jpg?h=038a9462&itok=wCvthYKO)\
**Mika Schröder**\
\
Writer Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/mika-schroder  "Find out more about Mika Schröder") [![asterios_tsioumanis.png](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/asterios_tsioumanis.png?h=a7e6d17b&itok=337u-0CZ)\
**Asterios Tsioumanis**\
\
Writer/Editor Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/asterios-tsioumanis  "Find out more about Asterios Tsioumanis") [![Elsa Tsioumani](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2020-09/elsa-tsioumani-2020.jpg?h=19940d61&itok=APwlWA7g)\
**Elsa Tsioumani (PhD)**\
\
Writer/Editor Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/elsa-tsioumani-phd  "Find out more about Elsa Tsioumani (PhD)") [![Liz Willetts](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-12/liz_willetts_2021.jpg?h=28a486fc&itok=jBGHMHao)\
**Liz Willetts**\
\
Writer/Editor Earth Negotiations Bulletin]( /people/liz-willetts  "Find out more about Liz Willetts")

## Funded by

[![Government of Canda in partnership with logo](/sites/default/files/2023-10/canda-partnership-with-logo.jpg)\
\
**Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada**](/funders/government-canada-global-affairs-canada "Link to Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada") [![Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs](/sites/default/files/2021-05/Norway%20Ministry%20of%20Foreign%20Affairs.jpg)\
\
**Government of Norway, Ministry of Foreign Affairs**](/funders/government-norway-ministry-foreign-affairs "Link to Government of Norway, Ministry of Foreign Affairs") [![Sweden Ministry of Environment](/sites/default/files/2021-05/Sweden%20Ministry%20of%20Environment.jpg)\
\
**Government of Sweden, Ministry of Environment**](/funders/government-sweden-ministry-environment "Link to Government of Sweden, Ministry of Environment")

## Latest

[**Arctic Sea Ice Loss Enhances the Oceanic Contribution to Climate Change**\
\
Since the mid-1990s, there has been a marked decrease in the sea ice extent (SIE) in the Arctic Ocean. After reaching an absolute minimum in September 2012, the seasonal variations in the SIE have settled at a new level, which is almost one-quarter lower than the average climatic norm of 1979–2022. Increased melting and accelerated ice export from marginal seas ensure an increase in the open water area, which affects the lower atmosphere and the surface layer of the ocean. Scientists are cautiously predicting a transition to a seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean as early as the middle of this century, which is about 50 years earlier than was predicted just a few years ago. Such predictions are based on the fact that the decrease in sea ice extent and ice thinning that occurred at the beginning of this century, initially caused by an increase in air temperature, triggered an increase in the thermal and dynamic contribution of the ocean to the further reduction in the ice cover. This paper reviews published evidence of such changes and discusses possible mechanisms behind the observed regional anomalies of the Arctic Sea ice cover parameters in the last decade.\
\
\
IISD in the news\
\
Atmosphere\
\
February 20, 2023](https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/2/409 "Arctic Sea Ice Loss Enhances the Oceanic Contribution to Climate Change")

[**Web of resilience**\
\
Pakistan's development model has still not recognised the limits of the natural environment and the damage it would cause, if violated, to the sustainability of development and to the health and well-being of its population. Pakistan’s environment journey began with Stockholm Declaration in 1972. A delegation led by Nusrat Bhutto represented the country at the Stockholm meeting, resulting in the establishment of the Urban Affairs Division (UAD), the precursor of today’s Ministry of Climate Change. In setting the country’s environmental agenda, we were inspired by the Stockholm Principles, but in reality, we have mostly ignored them for the last five decades.\
\
\
IISD in the news\
\
Dawn\
\
June 5, 2022](https://www.dawn.com/news/1693233/web-of-resilience "Web of resilience")

[**The Legacies of the Stockholm Conference**\
\
Fifty years after Stockholm, we face a triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution.\
\
\
Deep Dive\
\
June 1, 2022](/articles/deep-dive/stockholm-conference-legacy "The Legacies of the Stockholm Conference")

[**Disaster Risk Reduction in an Unstable World**\
\
Successful disaster risk reduction requires both top-down, institutional changes and strategies and bottom-up, local, community-based approaches.\
\
\
Deep Dive\
\
May 23, 2022](/articles/disaster-risk-reduction "Disaster Risk Reduction in an Unstable World")

[**The Roots of Forest Loss and Forest Governance**\
\
If lessons from past failures on deforestation are learned, forest protection could play a major role in reversing both climate change and biodiversity loss.\
\
\
Deep Dive\
\
May 9, 2022](/articles/forest-loss-and-governance "The Roots of Forest Loss and Forest Governance")

[**Pathways to Sustainable Cities**\
\
Urban planning needs to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of local communities and build on participatory approaches that foster the engagement of marginalized actors.\
\
\
Deep Dive\
\
April 28, 2022](/articles/deep-dive/pathways-sustainable-cities "Pathways to Sustainable Cities")

[**Indigenous Peoples: Defending an Environment for All**\
\
International environmental negotiations need to go beyond tokenistic participation of Indigenous Peoples to a genuine integration of their worldviews and knowledge.\
\
\
Deep Dive\
\
April 22, 2022](/articles/deep-dive/indigenous-peoples-defending-environment-all "Indigenous Peoples: Defending an Environment for All")

[**A Warming Arctic is a Warning for the World**\
\
To protect the Arctic, stronger and broader local, national, and international measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must be implemented.\
\
\
Deep Dive\
\
April 11, 2022](/articles/deep-dive/arctic-warming "A Warming Arctic is a Warning for the World")

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## Project details

Topic[Governance and Multilateral Agreements](/topics/governance-and-multilateral-agreements)Focus area[Act Together](/focus-areas/act-together)

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Project](/projects/task-force-resilient-recovery "Task Force for a Resilient Recovery") [**IISD Next: Campus Workshop Series on Sustainability**\
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A free workshop series on sustainability to educate and empower youth worldwide with tools on policy, sustainable development goals, and more.\
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