Horizon scan of possible linkages between the BBNJ Agreement and biodiversity-related MEAs

United Nations 1 month ago

This technical report examines potential linkages between the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) and several biodiversity-related Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) administered by UNEP. Adopted in June 2023, the BBNJ Agreement adds a major new dimension to global ocean governance by addressing longstanding gaps in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Its effective implementation will depend on establishing cooperative relationships with existing relevant legal instruments, frameworks, and bodies at global, regional, subregional, and sectoral levels. This report draws on lessons learned from the implementation of existing UNEP-administered biodiversity MEAs to help inform discussions around the future operational and institutional arrangements under the BBNJ Agreement.
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layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 9 hours ago



Lincoln CDM Services is expanding its role in health and safety consultancy for the built environment after securing tailored invoice finance. Strengthened financial stability underpins its ability to support sustainable construction by embedding safety, compliance, and efficient delivery into projects. This highlights how unseen financial structures support environmental sustainability in construction and ensure that sustainable building practices remain viable within a challenging market.

Babcock & Wilcox, working with Denham Capital, has launched initiatives to repurpose redundant coal plants into energy sources for data centres across Europe and the United States. Though focused on digital infrastructure, the strategy embodies adaptive reuse, an essential part of eco-design for buildings and broader efforts to reduce Whole Life Carbon in materials. It gives a practical example of how carbon-heavy assets can be redirected towards low carbon design models that contribute indirectly to net zero whole life carbon goals.

In Taiwan, the E.SUN Sustainability Hall, designed by Tadao Ando, will serve as an international centre for environmental learning and innovation. Its architectural ambition aligns with sustainable building design principles and reinforces the connection between design excellence and life cycle thinking in construction. The project provides a cultural and educational framework for future leaders committed to reducing the carbon footprint of construction worldwide.

Circular Economy Week 2025 is preparing to convene global stakeholders this October. Construction remains among the heaviest consumers of resources, and dialogue on the circular economy in construction is critical for scaling circular construction strategies, promoting resource efficiency in construction, and ensuring measurable reductions in Whole Life Carbon. Such forums remain essential platforms for advancing lifecycle assessment methods and practical tools such as Whole Life Carbon Assessment.

Rising public scepticism about the affordability of tackling climate goals poses a reputational risk for the sector. Misconceptions about costs overshadow clear evidence that Life Cycle Cost analysis and sustainable material specification reduce long-term expenses while delivering net zero carbon buildings. More effective communication is required from industry leaders to establish the link between sustainable design, eco-friendly construction outcomes, and the economic resilience of net zero carbon strategies.

The combined picture signals steady but uneven progress. Financial innovation, adaptive reuse of carbon-intensive infrastructure, architectural leadership, and circular economy frameworks show how sustainable construction is moving from vision to practical delivery. The next step is embedding embodied carbon reduction, building lifecycle performance, and carbon neutral construction into mainstream supply chains to accelerate decarbonising the built environment.

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Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do get in touch.