The Triple Planetary Crisis: Breaking Silos | INTECOL & Alternatiba 2022

31 Aug 2022
13:00–15:00

Venue: Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG) & Online | Webex

Organization: Geneva Environment Network, International Association for Ecology

Chemicals and Pollution | Climate | Nature

Bridging the INTECOL and Geneva communities together, the Geneva Environment Networking Bars will be held in the margins of INTECOL 2022: “Frontiers in Ecology: Science and Society” from 28 August to 2 September 2022. These networking sessions open to Geneva stakeholders will discuss topics that are at the center of the global environmental agenda. As part of the 8th edition of Festival Alternatiba Léman taking place at the same time, this session will focus on the opportunities to tackle the triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.

Geneva: Global Hub for Environmental Governance

Environmental issues entered the international agenda in the early 1970s, but even prior to that, institutions based in the Geneva region have greatly contributed to develop the global environmental governance system. Since then, the Geneva region has hosted various historical meetings and negotiations, and welcomed new organizations focusing on environmental-related issues.

Today, the “Grand Genève” region, where many international organizations, forums, federations and non-governmental organizations have their headquarters, continues its role as an important center for international environmental policy.

More on the history of international Geneva as a Global Hub for Environmental Governance

INTECOL 2022 in Geneva

The International Congress of Ecology 2022 (INTECOL 2022), hosted by the University of Geneva and its partners, will take place from 28 August to 2 September 2022 at the CICG Geneva – Geneva International Conference Center in Geneva, under the theme “Frontiers in Ecology: Science and Society”.

Geneva welcoming INTECOL 2022 is therefore an opportunity to link the INTECOL and Geneva international communities on topics that are at the center of the global environmental agenda.

Two hybrid networking sessions – Geneva Environment Networking Bars – open to Geneva communities are proposed in the margins of INTECOL 2022. These sessions are facilitated by the Geneva Environment Network (GEN) and the University of Geneva. Another session involving key Geneva-based institutions, will look at private nature-finance approaches, including public incentives for private finance.

About this Session

In the face of the triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss, this session will focus on the opportunities to tackle the intertwined environmental challenges we face today.

The 8th edition of the Festival Alternatiba Léman is taking place in Geneva the same week of Intecol 2022, this is an opportunity to have a common event, looking at the interlinkages and synergies addressing the triple planetary crisis, involving actors attending these events and international Geneva. Alternatiba showcases of concrete means and solutions for reducing emissions, through conferences, exhibits, stands, workshops and practical demonstrations, among others, with the participation of numerous local actors. As we reboot the global economy and call for a sustainable pathway in the road ahead, this is the occasion stakeholders in the international arena meet and interact with the local initiatives to build a greener future.

This session is also an opportunity to showcase Geneva as a global hub to tackle the interrelated crisis. Climate is at the core of numerous discussions and negotiations held in the city. Numerous actors from international Geneva do contribute to global climate negotiations.

Geneva is also the UN hub for chemicals and waste governance, with numerous actors addressing this issue. Pollution is identified as one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. Therefore, it is important to look at these challenges and solutions in a synergistic way in order to address them effectively. There are already a number of international initiatives already underway on integrated approaches across biodiversity and chemicals and waste communities to ensure cooperative action. There are many lessons that have been learned from the wider cooperation, synergies and agendas.