In June 1972, dozens of countries convened in Stockholm, Sweden, for the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, the first global gathering on the environment. Among the largest delegations was Belgium, with more than 40 representatives supporting a historic moment that would lead to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its financial bedrock, the Environment Fund.
This June, some 52 years later, Belgium further cemented its longstanding partnership with UNEP, providing 3 million euros or approximately 3,31 million US dollars to UNEP’s thematic fund dedicated to countering the climate crisis.
Belgium has been a consistent contributor to the thematic fund for climate since it launched in 2022, in addition to being one of the few Member States to have also supported the Environment Fund each year since its inception. By doing so, Belgium has been instrumental in supporting UNEP to achieve the many environmental milestones over the decades in several areas, including tackling climate change, nature, land and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Belgium has played a specific role in initiatives to reduce marine litter, expand the circular economy and promote the safe handling of hazardous chemical waste.
The 9 million euros (approximately 9,66 million US dollars) Belgium has now contributed to UNEP’s climate-focused thematic fund over three years aims to give an additional boost to climate science, supporting enhanced transparency in reporting in line with the Paris Agreement, fostering climate change adaptation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and catalyzing more climate finance.
“Addressing climate change requires creativity and agility as we race against the 2030 clock,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, referring to the deadline for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. “Belgium’s understanding and support of this has been an important part of UNEP’s work for decades.”
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“To leave the world better than we’ve found it, we’ll continue to strengthen our partnership with UNEP,” said Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium to Kenya, Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, Eritrea and Somalia, and Permanent Representative to UNEP.
Belgium is a key supporter of ground-level initiatives that are helping reduce poverty and ensure a just transition in climate-vulnerable parts of the world, such as Africa. One of those projects is the Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility (PAAPAM), which works with governments across the continent to create safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and traffic congestion.
Belgium helped get the Restoration Factory hybrid incubation programme off the ground in Kenya, which has since led to the programme being replicated and scaled up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania as well. Each year, the programme matches mentors with entrepreneurs with ideas for conserving and restoring ecosystems. These relationships help startups refine their business model and tap into private financing.
“Before the onset of this programme, I had no courage to speak about what we do or what our contribution to restoration was,” said Shiro Ndirangu, who runs Afrex Gold, a small Kenyan business that links local farmers with international markets. “I am now able and encouraged to do that and I attribute this to the lessons received during mentoring sessions.”
Beyond Africa, Belgium’s partnership has underpinned UNEP’s work on a wide range of efforts, from mapping green infrastructure opportunities in Mexico City to helping Indonesian rural banks go green to supporting UNEP’s flagship Adaptation Gap Report. The report, which gives an annual update on how the world is adapting to climate change, is a critical source of information in the lead-up to countries’ climate negotiations each year.
As well, Belgium’s embassy and residence in Kenya is the first carbon neutral embassy in Nairobi, the result of a two-year-long retrofit. The properties are powered by solar panels and biogas, while the grounds are dotted by gardens fed by recycled rainwater.
“Part of the beauty of this project is that you learn to live differently,” said Maddens, who spearheaded the initiative. “Climate adaptation and resilience are among our biggest priorities. We must boost them in our own environmental footprint as well as in our support for work around the world.”
Source: UNEP
