Governing the Commons: Land, Air, and Policy Power at the UNECE

Geneva, Switzerland – Geneva’s conference halls will once again host high-stakes negotiations as European and Central Asian nations convene for two critical sessions: The Committee on Environmental Policy (CEP) and the Executive Body of the Air Convention.

The land sector has emerged as a frontline actor in UNECE climate and air quality targets - this as land degradation and misuse undermine both national and regional environmental goals. (Photo: UNECE)

As global crises converge — climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution — land governance is emerging as a key policy lever in regional environmental diplomacy.

Land as Environmental Infrastructure

Land is not just a setting for environmental problems — it’s a solution. From peatland restoration to afforestation and soil carbon sequestration, the land sector is now a frontline actor in UNECE climate and air quality targets. Policymakers are increasingly aware that land degradation and misuse undermine both national and regional environmental goals.

Pollution, Property, and Borders

The Executive Body of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution will examine the role of land-use regulation in curbing emissions. Poorly planned agricultural expansion and urban sprawl are key contributors to PM2.5 and ammonia emissions. Yet land-use change remains largely underregulated at the cross-border level.

“We need stronger legal instruments that treat land use as a determinant of environmental health,” says Ilona Metz, a legal officer at the ECE.

Policy Gaps and Governance Grit

While many ECE countries have robust environmental laws, coordination across land, air, and resource sectors remains a major gap. Land governance is often siloed within ministries of agriculture or interior, with little integration into environmental planning. Experts at CEP argue that this fragmentation weakens compliance with international frameworks and diminishes the power of regional cooperation.

Tracking and Accountability

One innovation expected to be showcased is the Environmental Performance Review (EPR) process, which now integrates land indicators alongside air, water, and waste. Countries like Moldova and Kyrgyzstan have begun publishing spatial land-use data as part of their EPR compliance, boosting transparency and public accountability.

Toward Integrated Governance

The upcoming sessions will push for a “One Environment” approach — breaking down the silos between land, atmosphere, and ecosystems. As UNECE frameworks evolve, land will no longer be treated as a passive landscape, but as active governance infrastructure.

Conclusion

Land is the connective tissue of environmental governance. The challenge for policymakers gathering in Geneva will be to translate this understanding into integrated, enforceable action. At stake is more than compliance — it’s the future of shared air, healthy land, and equitable development across borders.