2024 marked a transformative year for GRID-Arendal. Facing both challenges and opportunities, we continued to enhance our organisational resilience, secure impactful partnerships, and deliver on our mission of supporting global environmental goals. This year, the organization embarked on key internal transformations, implemented innovative projects, and engaged with critical stakeholders worldwide. Despite funding uncertainties, our strategic foresight and commitment to excellence positioned us to grow and lead in a dynamic environmental landscape. 

For every global problem, there is a collective solution. In 2024, GRID-Arendal connected with partners across the world to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. From tackling plastic pollution to safeguarding marine ecosystems, we have demonstrated the power of collaboration. 

This year, our organisation underwent significant changes. We redefined our strategies, fostered a culture of trust, and diversified funding to adapt to shifting landscapes. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our staff and the support of partners like the United Nations Environment Programme, the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, and others. 

As we look ahead, GRID-Arendal remains committed to transforming environmental knowledge into action.

Strengthening Collaboration with Zoï Environment Network 

On October 22nd, 2024, GRID-Arendal and the Geneva-based Zoï Environment Network agreed to deepen their collaboration to address the triple planetary crisis. Marking 15 years since Zoï was established as a spin-off of GRID-Arendal, this renewed partnership reflects a shared mission, complementary expertise, and a commitment to joint action. By combining efforts, both organisations aim to deliver more impactful solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, reinforcing their long-standing partnership for a sustainable future. 

Strengthened collaborations with UNEP, Norad, The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and The Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment supported GRID-Arendal’s position as a global environmental leader. 

Plastic Action is Climate Action - Plastic Production - This multi-media exhibition promoted dialogue and created awareness about the interlinkages of plastics and climate change. Our exhibition offered an immersive exploration of the plastics lifecycle, highlighting its profound environmental impacts and the urgent need for systemic change.

Fair and inclusive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the Global South - The policy brief is part of the IKHAPP project, under the ‘Asian Scientific Alliance for Plastic Pollution and Value Network Management’ (ASAP) project. 

Second International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic & Sub-Arctic Region: Symposium Summary - The Second International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic Region took place on 22-23 November 2023, gathering scientific, local, and Indigenous knowledge about plastic pollution. Participants also discussed methods to reduce the impact of plastics on Arctic ecosystems.

Strengthening Conservation Policies and Actions: Biodiversity and Plastic Pollution in Sri Lanka - The storymap builds upon insights from a recent scoping study that examined the short, medium, and long-term requirements for improving plastic life cycle management in Sri Lanka.  

Towards Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Nepal - Solutions for smallholder farmers - This book, co-produced by ICIMOD and GRID-Arendal, presents a holistic model of climate-resilient agriculture, featuring both widely adopted proven practices and site-specific solutions tested on local farms. We hope it will inspire decision-makers at all levels to adopt this model and scale these practices to build more climate-resilient agricultural systems in Nepal and beyond.

Soil to Sea - This StoryMap highlights the urgency for innovative solutions that harmonies agricultural livelihoods with sustainable land management practices. By fostering community engagement, supporting alternative livelihoods, and implementing robust conservation policies, there's hope that Madagascar can find a more balanced and sustainable resolution to deforestation.

The Caucasus Environment Outlook, 2nd Edition - The publication is built around the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) Framework recognized in environmental assessments. The CEO-2 covers the main drivers of environmental change in the region for each of the thematic chapters of land cover, biodiversity, freshwater, air, and other cross-cutting issues, as well as the states of the policies in the region and evaluates the needs in future years to increase climate change adaptation and ensure the well-being of its population.  

Economic case studies in the Virunga and Kyrgyz mountains - These policy briefs include the main results of the Targeted Scenario Analysis and policy recommendations to address those challenges. These briefs were prepared by GRID-Arendal and the UN Environment Programme in collaboration with the authors of the study.

Integrating The Informal Sector for a Stronger Repair Economy - This discussion paper examines the key challenges and barriers that limit the IRS's participation in the repair economy. It also explores strategies to better integrate the informal sector into repair-focused CE initiatives. GRID-Arendal carried out background research, drafting, and partner consultations to finalize and prepare the two discussion briefs.

Awareness and Capacity-building for Women of the Informal Recycling Sector: Toolkit for Facilitators – First Edition - The Toolkit’s development involves rigorous pilot testing in various regions to ensure its effectiveness and adaptability to diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts. This resource is designed for organizations and individuals working with women in the informal recycling sector, including waste pickers’ associations, NGOs, universities, initiatives, and professional trainers. 

GRID-Arendal played a role in supporting the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) process to develop a global instrument to address plastic pollution. Through targeted communication, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and capacity-building efforts, we worked closely with UNEP and other stakeholders to ensure that science-based solutions and diverse perspectives were at the forefront of negotiations. Our contributions included producing accessible resources for policymakers, hosting webinars to engage journalists, and amplifying the voices of communities most affected by plastic pollution.

World Cleanup Day 2024 In 2024, GRID-Arendal proudly arranged World Cleanup Day, emphasizing the global impact of collective action against waste and pollution. This year, our focus highlighted the critical issue of marine litter in Arctic cities, highlighting innovative solutions and the importance of local engagement. Collaborating with key partners, including UN-Habitat and the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund, we supported awareness campaigns and cleanup initiatives that connected communities worldwide. Together, we demonstrated that a healthier, cleaner planet is possible when people, organizations, and governments work hand in hand.

Waste management in remote areas: Arctic conundrums - In this project, GRID-Arendal worked with partners to visualize some of the unique challenges of remote Arctic areas. Through extensive research, developing visual maps and collaboration, we hope to convey the narrative in an engaging and accessible format. The project highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration, advancing sustainable practices, and developing community-driven strategies.

GRID-Arendal attended Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16) - In November 2024, delegates departed from the Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16) in Cali, Colombia, after two weeks of intense negotiations. This conference, the largest biodiversity COP to date, focused significantly on the implementation and financing of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted two years ago, and on establishing ways to measure progress.