Erik Solheim, the new Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), said that UNEP should adopt a fresh language, which brings the environment nearer to the perception of people, be they politicians or citizens in the street.

 

Solheim, who takes office next month, met at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi with representatives of global major groups. The lively discussion was moderated by the renowned environmental civil society campaigner Jan-Gustav Strandenaes.

 

In response to a comment by Najib Saab, secretary general of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) that AFED reports on the State of Arab Environment use practical language which can be grasped by decision makers and ordinary people alike, Solheim said that he often asked his grandmother to comment on speeches he wrote, to test if they were understandable and made sense. Over 99% of the people do not understand UN jargon, he said. "We have to move from What to How. The main challenge facing UNEP is to specify how to solve the problems rather than continue to list what needs to be done," he stressed.

 

Saab promised to pass Solheim's comments to the High Level Group (HLG) which oversees the production of the UNEP's forthcoming Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6) report, of which he is a member.

 

Known as the 'green politician', Erik Solheim held the combined portfolio of Norway's Minister of the Environment and International Development from 2007 to 2012, and served as Minister of International Development from 2005 to 2007. He has served in many leading posts at the national, European and international levels.