UN Environment Head Erik Solheim will meet the European Union’s environment ministers in Brussels on 16 December to reflect on how the bloc is shaping to help fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals and the contribution green finance can make.

The Inquiry into the Design of a sustainable financial system, produced by UN Environment, is a pioneering report mapping out best practices for greening the financial system after examining a range of sectors in 15 countries.

On 14 December, the Head of UN Environment’s Brussels Office Ulf Bjornholm will meanwhile speak at a European Policy Centre panel discussion on translating the global goals into reality within the European Union.

Erik Solheim will also open the annual high level meeting between UN Environment and the European Commission on 20 December.

For more details please write to alexa.froger@unep.org

UN Environment and partners will hold two meetings on climate change adaptation and the environment in Central Asia this month.

A workshop for regional experts will take place in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 19-21 December. There, national and regional priorities for mountain climate adaptation will be defined and possible goals and actions for meeting them discussed.

The event is organized by UN Environment and the German Development Agency GIZ , with the Regional Mountain Centre of Central Asia as a strategic partner.

Government representatives from all five Central Asian countries and other stakeholders will meanwhile meet to update the region’s Environmental Action Plan on 21-22 December, in an event organized by UN Environment.

For more information please write to natalia.alexeeva@unep.org

UN Environment’s Global Chemicals Outlook is aimed at decision makers and seeks to build capacity and promote policy change that protects the environment and human health.

At the last United Nations Environment Assembly in May 2016, UN Environment was called on to submit an updated Outlook to include scientific input and options for fulfilling relevant Sustainable Development Goals and targets up to 2020 and beyond.

The first Steering Committee meeting of the Outlook’s second edition (GCO-II) will therefore take place in Geneva, Switzerland on 15-16 December 2016. Organised by UN Environment in cooperation with the UN Institute for Training and Research, the meeting is expected to gather 33 experts who will provide oversights and advice regarding all aspects of developing the GCO-II.

Representatives from governments, intergovernmental organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector have been invited to the December meeting, ensuring a balance between regions gender, sectors, competencies and skills.

The first Steering Committee meeting and further work carrying into 2017 is supported by generous contributions of the Governments of Switzerland and Sweden provided in 2016.

For more information please get in touch with pierre.quiblier@unep.org

The Basel expert working group on environmentally sound management will meet in Mechelen, Belgium on 17-19 January 2017 to finalise draft guidance for countries on how waste can be prevented and minimized.

The group’s sixth meeting will also see experts review achievements by pilot projects testing the draft manuals and select two additional projects for 2017. Wrapping up work carried out under its 2016-2017 programme, the group will also review draft manuals on extended producer responsibility and financing for use at governmental level.

During the meeting, which is hosted by the Government of Belgium, the working group will furthermore present recommendations for its 2018-2019 programme of work, were its mandate to be renewed. All documents and draft decisions will go to the next Basel COP, to be held in Geneva, 24 April to 5 May 2017.

The event was organised by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and was sponsored by Japan and Germany.

For more information on the meeting please click here or write to charles.avis@brsmeas.org