The final quarter of 2024 has been busy with both the Biodiversity and Climate COPs and the UNCCD COP 16 and the 5th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Plastics Treaty, among other important regional activities related to sustainable development. As a global community, we face unprecedented challenges, as well as opportunities to come together and catalyse change and realise a sustainable and just future for all. As we continue to grow from what we know, we reflect on what we have learned. Digesting the global goals that urgently need to be implemented, and the network of lessons learned across the region, we ask ourselves: how do we know when efforts are successful? Perhaps if we can learn to recognise signals of success, we can instil a sense of optimism to carry us on the path to a sustainable future. How do we measure impact to strike the balance in celebrating progress while remaining steadfast in the mission to a sustainable future? Understanding these key elements is what we have termed ‘Truth4Change’. To gain valuable insight and perspective, we turned to Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions.

Rolph Payet has been the Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions since 6 October 2014 (MedWaves is one of the regional activity centres for the Stockholm Convention). Rolph had previously served as the former Minister for the Environment and Energy in the Seychelles and Seychelles’ Chief Negotiator for the Basel Convention, the Montreal Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Rolph also established important multi-stakeholder platforms such as the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) and co-chaired the International Coral Reef Initiative. He was also the Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third and Fourth Assessments. The following comments are excerpted from an interview with Rolph, sharing his perspective and reflections on the end-of-the-year activities, how we can understand measuring progress and why trust is so important.

MedWaves:

In addition to the Rio Conventions COPs and INC 5, there are a number of events during the end of the year that are related to the implementation of the BRS Conventions. We know you are busy travelling and engaging in many of these. How do you find the level of awareness around the cross-cutting role of chemicals and wastes?

Felix Wertli, Switzerland, speaks with Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions / IISD/ENB – Kiara Worth

Rolph Payet:

Awareness about the cross-cutting role of chemicals and wastes, especially in connection to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, is steadily growing across regions and sectors. Governments, industry, and civil society are increasingly recognising the critical links between chemicals and waste management and their impact on public health, ecosystems, and economic sustainability.

This growing awareness was also evident during the recent fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5) session held in Busan from 24 November to 1 December 2024. In particular, the key roles of the Basel Convention in the environmentally sound management and the control of transboundary movement of plastic waste, and the Stockholm Convention in the sound management of hazardous chemicals, including chemicals in plastics, were highlighted by many. These discussions underscored the importance of leveraging the synergies between the conventions to address global challenges effectively.

In regions and sectors with established regulatory frameworks, these conventions serve as a model for further expansion and engagement globally, encouraging more integrated approaches to chemicals and waste management.

Emphasising the linkage between human health and environmental contamination by hazardous chemicals and wastes (e.g., highly hazardous pesticides, plastic wastes, e-wastes) can help unify stakeholders.

MedWaves:

Specifically considering the Fourth meeting of the Plastic Waste Partnership Working Group and Third meeting of the Household Waste Partnership Working Group, how did these meetings help build momentum on reaching global goals and targets? How do they fit into the larger global landscape of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) taking place?

Photo Credit by Núria Manchado

Rolph Payet:

The Plastic Waste Partnership (PWP) and Household Waste Partnership (HWP) working groups take a practical approach towards the achievement of global goals and targets on chemicals and waste. Such approaches include encouraging best practices in environmentally sound management (ESM) of plastic and household waste. The Basel Convention Partnerships disseminate best practices and lessons learned from pilot projects and project group activities focusing on different aspects of the ESM of plastic and household waste. The Partnerships develop and disseminate resources like reports, analyses, factsheets, and training materials.

The Partnerships are currently developing best practices on joint issues related to specific waste streams (for example, textile waste and single use plastic) and topics of mutual concern including EPR, engaging with the informal sector and systems for source separation. These items are highly relevant to the ongoing INC negotiations to develop an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. The PWP alone is sharing 8 of its reports developed over the past 12 months to inform and support the negotiations in Busan. 

The Partnerships engage multiple stakeholder groups, such as governments, intergovernmental organisations, civil society, and the private sector, promoting action and dialogue on initiatives that could be carried out in different regions and fostering best practice solutions showing concrete and practical results consistent with the Basel Convention. The PWP through its pilot project programme has 40 projects being implemented globally which showcase practical solutions and knowledge-sharing to support countries in managing plastic waste effectively. 

By promoting understanding of the environmental impacts of plastic and household waste, the Partnerships supports the Basel Convention’s goals of protecting human health and the environment, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). 

MedWaves:

What is your vision of how chemicals and waste could be further integrated into the implementation activities of the goals and targets set out by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the Paris Agreement among others? How could the focus on nature and climate be purposed to also serve strategies to reduce chemicals and wastes?

Rolph Payet:

Pollution is one of the environmental planetary crises. It has been identified as one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. Moreover, pollution exacerbates the negative effects of climate change and combating emissions and releases of pollutants, as well as ensuring the environmentally sound management of wastes bring co-benefits to climate change mitigation. We need to convey the message that enhanced cooperation and coordinated efforts to address the three agendas is urgently needed if we want to achieve the sustainable development goals.

A vision for integrating chemicals and waste into the implementation of climate and biodiversity goals could involve creating a unified front that addresses climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss simultaneously. This is based on the recognition of the interlinkages between the triple planetary crisis which calls for more synergistic actions. 

By structuring climate and biodiversity strategies to also target waste and chemicals, policymakers could create synergies that enhance environmental protection across these issues, providing shared benefits for climate resilience, biodiversity, pollution prevention and public health.

Here are a few strategies that could strengthen this integration:

• Incorporating sustainable chemicals and waste management in climate and biodiversity strategies and policies, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs): Climate and biodiversity strategies could identify opportunities for integrated actions, for example in reducing releases of harmful chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other hazardous chemicals, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and is a driver of biodiversity loss. Policies could incentivise circular economy approaches that minimise waste and emphasise reuse, recycling and recovery.

The integration of chemicals and waste management across global and national agendas is key to achieving SDGs and specific commitments and targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework, in particular Target 7 on Pollution and other targets addressing issues such as sustainable consumption and production and management and conservation efforts where chemicals and waste management is also critical.

• Promoting low-impact, green technologies: Climate policies could support research and development in green chemistry and materials that reduce reliance on toxic substances and generate minimal waste. By prioritising cleaner technologies, and the use of Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices, climate strategies can both reduce carbon footprints and decrease releases of harmful contaminants.

• Targeted financial support and carbon market: Financial mechanisms that support climate and biodiversity objectives can include criteria that encourage projects with minimal chemical impact and environmentally sound waste management solutions. Targeting more systematically the waste sector in carbon pricing or emissions trading schemes could financially motivate reduction in carbon emissions while improving waste management.
• Leverage nature-based solutions (NbS) and ecosystem restoration: Many nature-based solutions, like reforestation, wetland restoration, and soil health improvement, serve both biodiversity and climate goals. These efforts can be designed to focus on minimising chemical runoff, using alternatives to harmful pesticides, and remediating waste contamination, all while storing carbon and preserving biodiversity.

MedWaves:

Are there any specific outcomes from COP 15 that are important for BRS to highlight?

High-Level Roundtable: Strengthening Action for Change: Synergistic Solutions to the Climate Crisis, Nature Loss, Desertification, and Pollution Photo by IISD/ENB | Angeles Estrada Vigil

Rolph Payet:

In addition to the two landmark decisions on the participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in the work of the CBD and the new fund for fair and equitable benefit-sharing from the use of Digital Sequencing Information of genetic resources (Cali Fund), a few important decisions were taken on the biodiversity-pollution nexus: 

• The COP adopted an action plan for biodiversity and health which includes elements related to chemical and waste pollution with a request to the Executive Secretary to undertake activities to facilitate the uptake and implementation of the plan in cooperation with partners, including MEAs; and to enhance cooperation with other MEAs secretariat on the biodiversity and health linkages.
• The COP stressed the importance to enhance cooperation and synergies among all relevant conventions, organisations and initiatives in a manner respectful of their respective mandates and with the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, women and youth, to contribute to and monitor progress of the implementation of the Framework^[1].

MedWaves:

Perhaps this is an existential question, but how do we know when we are on the right path? Can you describe some of the signals that help us measure success or impact in terms of decreasing consumption, monitoring use of chemicals and waste?

Rolph Payet:

Reduction in chemical pollutants in the environment; monitoring chemical contaminants in soil, air, water, and food chains offers direct evidence of reduced chemical impacts.

The latest Effectiveness Evaluation under the Stockholm Convention revealed that concentrations of the initial 12 POPs measured in air and in human populations have declined and continue to decline or remain low, thanks to POPs restrictions on POPs. These findings provide clear evidence of the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention’s measures. 

For this reason, it is very important to establish monitoring and reporting systems that can offer quantitative evidence of changes and to assess the effectiveness of the actions taken under each Convention. Under the Basel Convention, the next Conference of the Parties is anticipated to adopt a new strategic framework for 2025-2031 with goals to monitor progress made by Parties towards the objectives of the Convention.

Now that the Stockholm Convention has adopted compliance procedures, all three conventions have in place the mechanisms to monitor and review Parties’ compliance with their obligations. Compliance committees can alert Parties about systemic issues of implementation that need to be addressed to ensure we are on the right track. 

MedWaves:

How do we inspire policy coherence so that outcomes from the various MEAs can be streamlined into coherent and integrated activities at national and regional level, making possible achievements of global goals?

Photo credit: Global Environment Facility

Rolph Payet:

Promote cooperation at the international level among the different MEAs. BRS Parties have led the way in this area through the synergies process amongst the three conventions and in calling for enhanced cooperation with more than 50 different international organisations including MEAs, such as UNEP, FAO, Minamata, Montreal Protocol, CBD, UNFCCC and GFC, etc.

Creating dedicated national coordination bodies or task forces bring together representatives from various MEA focal points (e.g., climate, biodiversity, and chemicals) and foster collaboration and ensure that policies are developed with an integrated, cross-MEA perspective. 

Develop cross-cutting national strategies that incorporate MEA goals into national policies, plans, and budgets. This could involve embedding MEA targets into national sustainable development plans or creating integrated climate, biodiversity, and pollution strategies. For example, Parties to the Stockholm Convention^[2] are required to develop a national implementation plan for the implementation of their obligations under the convention and to establish the means to integrate national implementation plans for persistent organic pollutants in their sustainable development strategies where appropriate.

The Basel Convention’s Implementation and Compliance Committee has developed guidance to assist Parties to integrate actions to address their needs under the Basel Convention into their United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks.  

Highlight co-benefits and success stories; showcasing examples of successful integrated projects and co-benefits achieved through MEA alignment can inspire more countries to adopt a coordinated approach.

MedWaves:

What advice would you share with the implementing actors and stakeholders of regional activities in terms of translating global ambition and momentum in a way that is meaningful and compelling at the regional and local level?

Rolph Payet:

The Basel and Stockholm Conventions have seen the benefits of a regional approach early on by establishing a network of 24 regional centres that provide technical assistance and capacity-building to Parties for the effective implementation of the Conventions. In my view, to translate global ambition into meaningful actions at the regional and local levels, implementing actors and stakeholders can:

• Break down global ambitions into region-specific objectives that resonate with local priorities and challenges – such as specific issues – and make them more relevant and actionable.
• Leverage local knowledge and expertise: Empower local leaders, scientists, and communities who understand regional ecosystems and socio-economic conditions. This approach fosters solutions that are culturally appropriate, practical, and likely to gain community buy-in.
• Highlight co-benefits for local communities: Emphasise the direct benefits of environmental actions on quality of life, such as improved health, job creation, and economic opportunities from sustainable practices.

MedWaves:

Finally, how do you personally build trust in your experiences working with various stakeholders around the world and across sectors? Why is doing so important?

Rolph Payet:

Building trust with different countries and stakeholders from various sectors is essential in my role as Executive Secretary of the BRS Conventions. The Executive Secretary reports directly and is accountable to the COPs which represent more than 190 Parties, in the case of the Basel Convention. Negotiations at the COPs may lead to deadlocks at times. In these situations, I am expected to help resolve any impasses that arise. My approach to building trust relies on these principles: Listen actively and show respect for all perspectives; Be transparent and reliable; Seek collaboration; and Stay empathetic and flexible in approach. 

Trust opens the door to honest dialogue, encourages people to share their insights, and promotes a willingness to compromise that meets the needs of all parties involved. 

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^[1] The decision on Cooperation with other conventions and international organisations could not be adopted, among other decisions, due to lack of quorum. It would be taken up in the resumed session of the COP16 in February 2025. That decision was foreseen to invite the governing bodies of the chemicals and waste conventions,2 the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other relevant conventions and organisations, including the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a PlanetFree of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, to collaborate with the three Rio conventions and the future legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, as appropriate, on Target 7 of the Framework on the reduction of pollution to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity, in consultation with Parties, other Governments, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and relevant stakeholders.

^[2] See Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention.