With 2022 marking 50 years since the world first came together to take action on the environment, the enormity of the environmental emergency the planet is facing is now sharply in focus.
Earlier this year, countries gathered to take action on climate change at COP26 in Glasgow. There, a number of promising developments were made –including progress on ending coal and fossil fuel subsidies, tackling methane emissions and pledges to end deforestation. But what defined the summit was a “reinvigorated multilateralism”.
“We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe,” Secretary-General António Guterres noted in the wake of Glasgow. “It is time to go into emergency mode – or our chance of reaching net-zero will itself be zero.”
In the late 1960s, mass recognition that the world was in need of a global response to urgent environmental challenges – including mercury poisoning and the environmental impacts of the widespread use of herbicides and pesticides – helped bring countries together for the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972.
While multilateralism has been at the heart of several environmental success stories over the past five decades, the spectre of the triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – is looming the world over. Recent history has shown that the only way forward is through an inclusive multilateral approach.
“Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity” invites the world to capture the spirit of ‘72 and channel it into meaningful action. Held in the days leading up to World Environment Day, the meeting will be a crucial opportunity to reflect on the past five decades of multilateral accomplishments and galvanize action.
How to play a part in Stockholm+50’s success
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Interested in attending in person? Find more about accreditation and registration.
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Follow the official Stockholm+50 Twitter account and use the hashtag #Stockholm50 to join in the conversation. Stockholm+50 will be launched on additional social media platforms in early 2022.
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Find out more about hosting official side events (at the Stockholm+50 venue) or independent side events (off site).
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Join the Green Forum’s quickly expanding Stockholm+50 virtual community group and participate in the discussion.
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Check in on the Stockholm+50 website for the latest updates.
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Sign up to receive updates on the latest Stockholm+50 developments (sign up form is at the bottom of each page)
