The European Union’s imprint on both the global environment and on environmental policy beyond its borders has been sizeable. This influence will likely remain in the years ahead, although its role as a driver of progress is challenged as major economic players and new international political dynamics emerge.
How should EU’s role evolve in a changing world? How can the EU and its Member States best support the delivery of global commitments, such as the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? How should their implementation be held to account? What can Europe offer – and learn – through efforts on global dialogue and diplomacy? How can its own policies align better to global imperatives?
IEEP’s work on Global Challenges and SDGs focuses on the global dimension and external impacts of EU policies, both positive and negative. We support the development of environmental and environment-related policies with global implications as well as feed into relevant international processes and discussions. In particular, we aim to ensure that the EU will deliver on its commitments to the global climate and 2030 SDG agendas, both in terms of its internal and external policies.
Highlights
Environment and ecosystems underpin security, both in terms of human and national security. A new policy paper by IEEP and partners, launched during the Planetary Security Conference in Den Haag (19 – 20 Feb), calls for a more holistic and greener security regime for the EU.
Anthropogenic climate change is a product of our patterns of behaviour and the choices we make; whether as consumers or, in the case of farmers, as land managers and producers. This session convened by IEEP at COP24 of the UNFCCC identified the common threads that could help in changing our behaviour and in the transformation of the agricultural sector. Read more and download presentations here.
IEEP’s new, dedicated programme to tackle global policy challenges for the environment and SDGs is launched today. This milestone is marked by the publication of a Think2030 paper calling for improved policy coherence between the EU’s external and internal policies to deliver Agenda 2030 and its SDGs. To celebrate the occasion, please join us today at COP24 side event in Katowice!
The EU risks missing out on the opportunity to take a leadership role in the implementation of SDGs domestically and globally. This paper maps the action needed to step up the delivery of the 2030 Sustainability Agenda by the EU at the global level. The paper is part of the Think2030 initiative launched by IEEP and partners in 2018.
On 7 December (10:30-14:30), IEEP will be convening a discussion at COP24 of the UNFCCC on the role of agriculture in delivering net zero emissions by 2050. IEEP is collaborating with CCCA, FEEDBACK, AGRICORD, IIED, SNV, Joanneum Reasearch, IFFA, and the FAO’s Forest and Farm Facility to deliver a wider ranging discussion on agriculture’s role in climate action.
Leading up to IEEP's Think 2030 conference, experts express their views on Europe's most pressing sustainability issues in the Think 2030 blog series, Pathways to 2030.
The ninth edition of Pathways to 2030 features Ms Brenda King, Chief Executive for African and Caribbean Diversity and member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), who discusses the shortcomings of implementing and assessing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Europe and possible solutions.
Leading up to IEEP's Think 2030 conference, experts express their views on Europe's most pressing sustainability issues in the Think 2030 blog series, Pathways to 2030.
The fifth edition of Pathways to 2030 features Céline Charveriat, Executive Director for IEEP, who discusses recommendations to the G20 for fostering a more sustainable global food system.
Leading up to IEEP's Think 2030 conference, experts express their views on Europe's most pressing sustainability issues in the Think 2030 blog series, Pathways to 2030.
The second edition of Pathways to 2030 features Johanna Nyman, Policy Analyst for IEEP, who discusses the urgent need of climate change and ecosystem degradation to be considered as security risks to international peace and security.
New guidance by IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA) has been published to help practitioners assess ecosystem services within important sites for biodiversity conservation.
The report is the result of collaboration between over 20 international experts, including IEEP’s Marianne Kettunen.
This briefing provides an overview of key issues at stake in the meeting and progress made on the implementation of SDGs by the EU and globally in the run up to the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) to be held at United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York 16 - 18 July 2018. It has been produced to support to the European Parliament delegation prior to the Forum.
Implementation of SDGs is up for review again at the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) from 16 – 18 July in New York. The meeting provides a window of opportunity to influence the implementation of the SDGs in the EU It is also a chance to ensure that environmental considerations are placed more in the heart of the agenda and taken into account during the following HLPFs, especially in terms of the 4-year stocktake in 2019.
In the run-up to the meeting, a new IEEP briefing reviews the current state of SDG implementation and identifies how it could be improved.
Achieving gender equality in Europe in research and science, in line with the spirit of the European Commission’s strategic engagement for gender equality, the European pillar of social rights and SDG5, remains a major challenge.
IEEP Executive Director, Céline Charveriat, explores the achievements and areas of improvement for gender equality in European research.
IEEP Lead of Global Challenges and SDGs Programme, Marianne Kettunen, co-authored the UNDP call for action to safeguard nature in order to secure water-related services and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
New study by IVM and IEEP concludes that the existing approach to assessing impacts of EU trade on biodiversity is inadequate. A more comprehensive approach building on more systematic use of biodiversity indicators and synchronized, fit-for-purpose use of different methods is needed.
Download the IEEP 2018 calendar to stay up to date with the most important dates for European and international environmental policy.
The EU contributes to halting the global loss of biodiversity through conservation efforts within its own territory as well as at the global level. IEEP’s Marianne Kettunen explores the EU’s external biodiversity policy, arguing the need for a more coherent framework and effective implementation – and making the policy integral to EU’s action on SDGs at the global level.
There is mounting interest in biomass to provide heat, power and, transport fuels but also as a basis for alternative products for replacing plastics, and other fossil fuel derived commodities. How can the bioeconomy and the bioenergy sector evolve to deliver sustainable, coordinated and efficient use of resources?
Read IEEP's 3 key conclusions on the European Commission's much anticipated EU Plastics Strategy.
The EU contributes to halting the global loss of biodiversity through conservation efforts within its own territory as well as at the global level. IEEP’s Marianne Kettunen explores the EU’s external biodiversity policy, arguing the need for a more coherent framework and effective implementation – and making the policy integral to EU’s action on SDGs at the global level.
When: Tuesday, 21st November 2017, 11:00-12:30
Where: Room JDE 61, EESC, rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels
Speakers:
- Christophe Yvetot, Representative to the EU, UNIDO – EU’s circular economy and sustainable industrialisation pathways in the developing world: opportunities, challenges and best practices
- Werner Schmidt, Director, European Investment Bank – What instruments are there for financing the circular economy in developing countries?
- Richard Gower, Senior Associate, Tearfund: How do we ensure that the circular economy benefits the world’s poor?
- Marianne Kettunen, Deputy Head of Green Economy Programme, IEEP: Recommendations for policy design in the EU
