Why does Stockholm+50 matter? What did it achieve? What does it offer going forward?

By Ligia Noronha, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of UNEP, New York Office In the weeks that have passed since the gavel dropped on 3 June, marking an end to Stockholm+50, a handful of important questions have emerged. The unique meeting, which brought together UN member states and an incredibly diverse set of other stakeholders, was both a commemoration and an opportunity to catalyse action. So, in the wake of months of planning and intense consultations, I offer here some reflections on why Stockholm+50 matters, what it achieved, and what it can offer going forward. Why does Stockholm+50 matter? Stockholm+50 was a commemoration of 50 years since the 1972 Conference on the Human Environment. However, the 2-3 June international meeting was not of celebration of past successes—although many exist. It was a moment of reflection; a time to focus on the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, but also a time to highlight the opportunity for positive change that the future can hold. Science has made it abundantly clear that patterns of unsustainable consumption and production are driving these crises, not just poor enforcement of rules and regulations. Additionally, addressing the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and related recovery—which has seen deep economic disruptions and social inequities across the world—was a central theme in Stockholm+50 discussions.