During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, at the event titled “Toxics, Zero Waste, Women, and Human Rights,” the Global Cities Hub emphasized the crucial role of local and regional governments (LRGs) in addressing waste management and inclusiveness policies. The event, held under the auspices of Türkiye, Sierra Leone, Suriname and the Geneva Environment Network, was notably well-attended, with a full room of diplomats, NGOs and UN representatives reflecting the significant interest in these pressing issues.
The session spotlighted how LRGs are on the frontline of tackling global challenges related to toxics, chemicals, and waste. Governments were addressing broader issues such as health, the environment, climate change, and human rights, including women’s rights. The Global Cities Hub underscored the valuable contributions local solutions make to international discussions. The Special Rapporteur on the Right to Clean Water and Sanitation highlighted the essential role of local governments in managing pollution and ensuring access to clean water.
In addition, local governments hold valuable disaggregated data that, if better integrated internationally, could help to find adequate solutions through enhancing the accuracy and depth of reports by Special Procedures and other UN bodies. While States address these issues on a broader scale, these are the LRGs that manage waste and pollution daily.
From a social equity standpoint, cities must ensure that their circular economy initiatives benefit all residents, including women and girls, who seem to be more impacted by pollution as UN reports and expert opinions prove. While these disparities arise, it is imperative to secure additional capacity building and funding from central governments to prevent further discrimination due to implementation challenges.
Showcasing innovative and integrated approaches, cities worldwide are proving to be key players in combating toxics, promoting zero waste, and upholding human rights. By implementing comprehensive policies and engaging with residents, cities are contributing significantly to sustainable and equitable futures.
Noteworthy initiatives were highlighted :
- Transform Freetown Initiative: Freetown’s local government is leading the “Transform Freetown” initiative, which targets improvements in waste management, sanitation, education, and health. This initiative focuses on enhancing waste collection, recycling, and public awareness to combat waste pollution.
- Community Engagement in Freetown: The city is also involving local communities in waste management through educational programs and initiatives that provide income-generating opportunities related to waste collection and recycling, with a focus on women’s empowerment and protection of human rights.
- Bursa incorporates advanced technologies in waste collection and management to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The city explores and implements innovative methods for waste treatment and reduction, including waste-to-energy technologies.
- Other cities in Türkiye, such as Antalya, were also cited for their zero waste policies, serving as models for other cities of similar size.
In closing, the GCH calls on all UN bodies, including Special Procedures, to engage with LRGs and amplify their voices on the international stage. States are encouraged to include LRGs examples in their national reports, particularly during Special Procedures visits, Universal Periodic Review sessions, and relevant treaty body reports. Integrating LRGs into national programs and action plans, as seen in negotiations for the plastic pollution treaty (INC), is essential for enhancing anti-pollution measures.
Additionally, the GCH advocates for greater cooperation among UN agencies, such as UNEP, to merge human rights mechanisms with environmental expertise. By fostering mixed mandates where human rights mechanisms supported by OHCHR and environmental mechanisms supported by UNEP work together, the UN could address toxics and waste more effectively, ensuring that LRGs can engage more seamlessly in these global efforts.
Watch the video of the event here: