Ensuring that the UN system “walks the talk” on sustainability is vital to our reputation and credibility. The EMG has been exploring how the UN can more fully mainstream fundamental environmental and social sustainability principles into every aspect of its work. Key actions range from ensuring that management functions, programmes, and partnerships respect sustainability principles to joint reporting on the sustainability of the UN system.
In an important step forward, the EMG and the Sustainable UN Facility (SUN) have developed the Strategy for sustainability management in the United Nations system, 2020-2030 – Phase II: Towards leadership in environmental and social sustainability. It has been approved by the EMG Senior Officials, the UN High Level Committee on Programme, the UN High Level Committee on Management and the Chief Executives Board.
Sustainability Strategy II describes how environmental and social sustainability considerations (based on the 2030 Agenda, the Common Agenda, and other UN commitments) can be mainstreamed into the UN system and UN entities. It builds on 30-plus existing UN strategies and action plans that are in place already, including Sustainability Strategy I, and seeks to foster greater coherence among them. Implementation will start in 2022 with the exchange of knowledge and with discussions on a scorecard and indicators. An article describing the Strategy has been published in the November issue of UN Today.