Environmental Governance Programme

Environmental Governance Programme

Integrating environment and human rights into the governance of the mining sector

Digging deeper for sustainable mining

In 2014, UNDP and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency launched the Environmental Governance Programme for Sustainable Natural Resource Management, focusing on the mining sector (EGP-Mining).

The EGP-Mining draws upon the combined governance, environmental and extractive sector expertise of the two agencies and their partners to support countries to integrate environment and human rights into the governance of the mining sector.

Using the nexus between the environment and human rights as a lens, the EGP-Mining takes an integrated approach to sustainable natural resource management, that focuses on addressing the drivers of conflict, environmental degradation, inequality, exclusion, and poverty simultaneously.

Environmental Governance Programme - Mining

Programme and geographic focus

The EGP-Mining is now in its second phase from 2020-2023. It provides policy advice and programme support to Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Peru and Zambia.

The EGP-Mining:

Works at the global and regional level to generate and share knowledge, provide support and promote exchanges of innovative policy approaches within and across countries and regions.
Works with ministries of mining, environment and other national and local stakeholders to strengthen capacities for integrating human rights and environmental protection into the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies and regulatory frameworks relevant to the mining sector.
Supports local communities, civil society and national human rights institutions to strengthen the right to information, participation, accountability, and redress in public decision making.
Promotes women’s empowerment and gender equality in mining governance while supporting women, youth and children as agents of change.
Engages with the media to sensitize them to issues related to mining and environmental harms.
Creates platforms for dialogue with the mining industry aiming to strengthen understanding of and compliance with environmental and human rights standards and obligations.

Environmental Governance Programme - mining EPG

A Zambian Woman Mines Development Minerals

Overview

The EGP supports countries to prevent and manage the environmental risks and corresponding impacts on human rights in the mining sector.

Artisanal and small-scale mining

The EGP is strengthening governance processes in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.

Participating countries

The EGP provides policy advice and programme support to Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Peru and Zambia.

Publication

A Guide for Governments and Partners to Integrate Environment and Human Rights into the Governance of the Mining Sector

This joint Guide by UNDP and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency seeks to support governments and other stakeholders to better manage the environmental and social aspects of mining, in a way that rebalances relations in favour of more just and sustainable outcomes for local communities and vulnerable groups, including women and children, now and in the future.

Read the full publication