Environment and green diplomacy

Role of the United Nations

The three Rio Conventions form the cornerstone of international cooperation on environmental issues.

The three Rio Conventions focus on the following crucial environmental issues:

• UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change): This treaty aims to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. It lays the foundation for international cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. In 2015, the Paris Agreement was concluded with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and preferably to 1.5°C.
• CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity): This treaty aims to conserve biological diversity. Its objective is to conserve the variety of life on Earth and to use this diversity sustainably. The treaty addresses issues such as the conservation of ecosystems, the sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.  
• UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification): This treaty aims to combat desertification, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas. Its objective is to restore and maintain the productivity of those lands and to improve the living conditions of the people living in those areas.

The conventions meet annually or biennially during a Conference of the Parties (COP). Progress is very slow. The differences between countries are enormous. There is also an urgent need for international financing.
 

Role of the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation

Belgium is a member of the three UN conventions and also subscribes to the 2030 Agenda. The EU generally speaks with one voice in the follow-up to the three UN conventions and the 2030 Agenda. The EU's positions are negotiated in various working groups of the European Council.

The Environment and Climate Directorate (MD8) coordinates Belgian foreign policy on climate and the environment. MD8 also serves as the contact point for the Antarctic Treaty. MD8 sits in Belgian consultation bodies on international climate and environmental policy, in the working groups of the EU Council and participates in COPs and the HLPF.

In carrying out these tasks, MD8 maintains close contact with Belgian representations to the EU and multilateral organizations, with the Belgian diplomatic network in partner countries, and with various actors from academia, NGOs, the broader civil society, and the private sector.

In addition, MD8 ensures the integration of climate and environmental objectives into the various instruments of Belgian development cooperation. MD8 also manages Belgian contributions to multilateral climate and environmental funds and to bilateral projects in cooperation with multilateral partner organizations. The Law on Development Cooperation of 19 March 2013 stipulates that any intervention of Belgian development cooperation must integrate "the protection of the environment and natural resources, including the fight against climate change, drought, and global deforestation". MD8 also monitors the financing objectives.