Erik Solheim to UNEP: Keeping an eye on the Arctic from Nairobi

When Erik Solheim tweeted about his nomination to become the next head of the UN Environment Program, he chose a photo of a desperate polar bear perched on top of a melting piece of Arctic ice. That was a message of how important the High North will be – even as he sets off south, to Nairobi.

- It is an iconic photo and a symbol of dramatic climate change, caught on camera by the Norwegian photographer Arne Nævra. What happens in the Arctic is one of the most important environmental issues in the world. Issues concerning the oceans of the world need more attention globally, says Erik Solheim in a phone interview with HNN from Paris, where he chairs the OECD development committee (DAC). Come this summer, he will be moving on to the UN in Nairobi.

UN important on environment and climate

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has nominated Norway’s former international development and environment minister Erik Solheim to take over the helm of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) after Germany’s Achim Steiner, who will step down July 1st.
UNEP, headquartered in Kenya, promotes and coordinates the UNs environmental and climate efforts. Solheim is eager to strengthen the world’s cooperative engagement in this area.

- The most important decision makers on the environment are the national governments. It is the UN member states themselves who have to decide whether to protect wolves in Norway or step up efforts to curb air pollution in Beijing. But the UN has an important role to play in strengthening the collective drive of the international society to improve environmental policies. We have to work closely with governments and business, and we have to make sure that we can access the best information available. And we have to share successful solutions. If something works well in one part of the world, chances are it will work well elsewhere too, says Solheim.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been strongly engaged in environment and climate policy, including in the Arctic. Ban and Solheim have visited Svalbard together, and Solheim praises Ban’s efforts.

- The Secretary-General has been very active and engaged, not least on the Arctic. The Paris agreement on climate change and the UN 17 sustainable development goals will be key parts of Ban’s legacy, emphasized Solheim, and adds that he hopes the next Secretary-General will be equally involved. Ban will finish his term at the end of this year.

The Arctic – a key priority

As head of UNEP, the veteran Norwegian politician will have numerous challenges waiting for him in his inbox. He makes it clear that the Arctic will be among his key priorities:

- Issues concerning oceans and in particular the Arctic will be very important. Of the 17 UN sustainable development goals, goal number 14 about sustainable use of the oceans and marine resources has not at all received the attention it deserves. What happens in the ocean is not as visible as rainforest degradation or mountains of trash. Securing more global attention to these issues will be among my top priorities, says Solheim.

In his candidature for the UNEP position, the veteran Norwegian politician received strong support from countries in Asia and Africa. Solheim has an extensive international high-level network, which he will draw on to promote the UN’s environmental agenda. Challenges abound, and environmental concerns often come up against economic interests. Can the UN and UNEP succeed in a world where climate skeptics remain numerous and economic heavyweights might fight the UN agenda? Yes, says Solheim:

- The UN is crucial in order to move public opinion. Climate resistance is not always based on science, economic considerations may be more important. But a stronger, science-based public opinion makes it more difficult for climate skeptic to win support. And the UN must keep countries accountable for the agreements they have signed.

Cooperation between governments and business

Solheim emphasizes that in order to succeed in finding lasting solutions, government and business must work closely together to reach a balance between protection and sustainable development, in the Arctic as well as in the rest of the world.
Known as a no-nonsense and articulate politician, Solheim has an ambition of untangling some of the language quirks of the UN world. UN meetings and statements are often awash in abbreviations and numbers unintelligible to most people and challenging even to seasoned diplomats. Solheim is adamant that the organization must change its ways of communicating:

- If we want more awareness and attention, the UN needs to speak in a way people can understand.

Norway is a leader

During his time as Norway’s minister of international development (2005-07) and minister of international development and the environment (2007-12), Erik Solheim received praise for his global vision.
Norway’s deforestation initiative REDD, designed to curb emissions by offering poor nations financial incentives for sustainable forest management practices, won him international acclaim. He was named one of Time magazine’s "Heroes of the Environment", and a "Champion of the Earth" by UNEP.

What does he think of Norway’s environment track record since he left office?

- Norway has been a leader in the field, but could do more. More of the money in the petroleum fund could be spent on investments for a better future. And cooperation with business on green development could be strengthened, says Solheim, who compliments Norwegian politicians of all stripes on their commitment to the environment.

- There are politicians in every party in Norway who do an excellent job for the environment. Even in the (conservative) Progress Party, says Solheim, who represented the Socialist Left party during his tenure in Norway but have since been known to advise Norway’s Green party.

Chances are they will all receive plenty of UNEP advice in the years to come, not least on the Arctic. 

And the polar bear? He can count on a strong champion in Nairobi.

I am humbled and honored to be nominated to lead @UNEP. Will do my best to continue great work of @ASteiner & team! pic.twitter.com/YWAHFh8KE5

— Erik Solheim (@SolheimDAC) May 4, 2016