Handbook for Montevideo Programme V on the Progressive Development and Implementation of Environmental Law

United Nations 2 years ago

The Montevideo Programme V secretariat has developed this digital handbook that highlights the Programme’s objectives, activities and outcomes in order to raise awareness and enhance understanding of the Programme by Governments and relevant stakeholders. This will create a strong and recognizable brand for the Programme and serve as a guide that strengthens the role of Government officials and other users in the further development and implementation of its priority areas. The handbook will be included on the UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform (UNEP-LEAP), the digital backbone of the Montevideo V Programme. The handbook is divided into five parts. Part I provides a brief overview, history and achievements of the Montevideo Programme. It then outlines the key features of the Montevideo Programme V highlighting how it is different from previous iterations as well as its articulation with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  Part II of the handbook analyses and provides information on the existing legal responses at international and national levels to the three agreed thematic priority areas for implementation under the Montevideo Programme V, that is, the climate change crisis, the pollution crisis, and the biodiversity and nature loss crisis. It underlines the interconnectedness between the three thematic priorities areas and identifies the opportunities and potential contribution of the Programme in assisting Governments to respond to the crises. Part III provides information on how Governments can access support under the Programme, the types of support available, and resource requirements and sources of finance. Part IV addresses the critical issue of partnerships and stakeholder engagement. It highlights the significant emphasis the Programme places on the role of partners and major groups in the conception, delivery and implementation of activities. Part V provides information on existing resources on environmental law both within and outside UNEP with a view to enabling Governments and stakeholders to build and strengthen capacities in this field.
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layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 11 hours ago



The latest developments in sustainable construction indicate that carbon management is becoming integral to building performance and supply chain resilience. The installation of Europe’s largest vanadium flow battery in East Sussex signals growing investment in grid‑scale energy storage systems designed to reduce the carbon footprint of construction and support energy‑efficient buildings. Integrating renewable building materials and low carbon construction materials with large‑scale energy storage reflects a clear shift toward whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment approaches that underpin low carbon design and net zero carbon buildings. This alignment of technology and policy demonstrates environmental sustainability in construction moving beyond experimental stages into scalable models of eco‑friendly construction.

Essity’s £30 million recycled fibre facility in Northumberland highlights how circular economy initiatives are embedding life cycle thinking in construction. These circular construction strategies and resource efficiency in construction initiatives reinforce the circular economy in construction, promoting end‑of‑life reuse in construction and enabling sustainable material specification. By prioritising low embodied carbon materials and eco‑design for buildings, the sector is aligning with BREEAM and BREEAM v7 standards that measure whole life carbon performance and environmental impact of construction across the supply chain.

The industry now recognises that decarbonising the built environment depends on integrating energy systems, low carbon building materials, and data‑led whole life carbon methodologies. Reducing embodied carbon in materials and improving building lifecycle performance are transforming sustainable building design from policy aspiration into commercial practice. Green construction and sustainable building practices are becoming the foundation of sustainable urban development, where the net zero whole life carbon target defines both environmental sustainability and long‑term life cycle cost efficiency. Green building materials, green infrastructure and carbon neutral construction are driving this transition toward a credible, scalable model of sustainable design and carbon footprint reduction that aligns innovation with global sustainability goals.

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