Side event: Decarbonization and Detoxification: Opportunities for Integrated Actions

29 February 2024
17:15 – 18:30 p.m. (UTC+3)
Helipad, MEAs events space, Tent C
Nairobi, Kenya

Watch the event recording here

Climate change and pollution often have joint sources and exert combined and mutually reinforcing pressures on the environment and human health.

The sound management of wastes and chemicals, and circular economy approaches, have a critical role to play in addressing climate change. Curbing chemical and wastes pollution offers various co-benefits to tackling climate change, either directly, through sound solid waste management or, indirectly, through the effects of waste prevention, re-use, recycling and resource recovery across economic sectors and through more circular and sustainable products. Circularity approaches could cut global GHG emissions by up to 20% while creating green jobs and improving public health.

By bringing experts from different horizons, the side event will discuss the co-benefits offered by integrated approaches aimed at addressing GHG emissions and releases from pollutants, while preventing trade-offs.

Key areas where synergistic actions can be initiated and which will be showcased at the side event are: policy, through the synergistic implementation of relevant multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), innovation and technology, financing and awareness and education.

Event moderated by:

• Dr. Donald Cooper, Director, Transparency Division, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Opening:

• Ms. Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director, Industry and Economy Division, United Nations Environment
• Dr. Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

Keynote speech:

• Ms. Chizuru Aoki, Lead Environmental Specialist, on behalf of Mr. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Panel discussion:

• Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Director for Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism, Directorate General for Environment, European Commission
• Ms. Beatrice Cyiza, Director General of Biodiversity and Climate, Ministry of Environment, Rwanda
• Mr. Carlos Silva Filho, President, International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
• Mr. Marcos Orellana, UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights
• Mr. Björn Beeler, International Coordinator, International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)

Q&A

Closing remarks:

• Ms. Maya Berci, President of the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, Executive Director, Chemicals Management Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Resources