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Newsletter 01 Jun 2026

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 1 – 7 June 2026

The Geneva Environment Network’s weekly newsletter includes the latest information on the global environmental agenda, main events, job vacancies, as well as other useful resources and updates. The Geneva Environment Network is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. Stay tuned and follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, Youtube, and WhatsApp, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | The last two weeks were busy in Geneva with various events moving forward the global environmental agenda, including two global observances highlighting the importance of nature action. The Biodiversity Day celebration on 22 May brought together leading experts and stakeholders at the International Environment House to discuss preparations for the upcoming the UN Biodiversity Conference – which will be held under the theme of “Taking Action for Nature”, and the role of inclusive, whole‑of‑society action. The Bee Day celebration on 27 May at the Palais des Nations featured expert insights, beekeeping stories, and live demonstrations.

Celebrating World Environment Day 2026 | A Global Call for Climate Action

On 5 June, World Environment Day will rally the world around climate action, five months before countries meet in Antalaya, Türkiye, for the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31).

The planet does not negotiate; it signals urgent change through rising seas, extreme heat, wildfires, and melting glaciers, as the 1.5°C threshold is crossed. While global responses have too often been delayed, a transformation is underway, with renewable energy expanding, cities evolving, and ecosystems being restored. This World Environment Day, the call to act #NowForClimate highlights the need to accelerate this momentum by rethinking our systems and strengthening our relationship with the planet to secure a safer, healthier, and more just future. The question is no longer if change comes, but how we guide it and how fast it happens.

In line with the official World Environment Day 2026 Celebration hosted in Azerbaijan, the traditional celebration at the International Environment House will include various key moments and highlight how Multilateral Geneva is Driving Collective Climate Action, underscoring Geneva’s role as a hub for cooperation, fostering partnerships that can accelerate ambitious, equitable climate action and support stronger international collaboration in the lead-up to upcoming global climate milestones and in support of a successful outcome at COP31. → Register and join us in person at the International Environment House in the morning of Friday 5 June 2026.

  • World Environment Day Breakfast | From 9:00 to 10:15 CEST, offered by Switzerland and the Canton and City of Geneva.
  • GENeva World Environment Day Forum | From 9:00 to 10:15 CEST, the International Environment House II will open its doors for the Forum. Partners and stakeholders will gather together and showcase how international Geneva collectively drives climate action.
  • World Environment Day Dialogue | From 10:15 CEST onwards, this high-level event, building momentum towards the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference and other key milestones focuses on advancing collective, cross-sector climate action at a critical moment. 

Find more suggestions and resources to celebrate World Environment Day in Geneva and abroad on our dedicated page. Other events organized in Geneva include:

Climate Justice | Adoption of Landmark UNGA Resolution on ICJ Climate Advisory Opinion

On Wednesday 20 May 2026, the UN General Assembly has adopted the resolution, “Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change” (A/RES/80/263), with 141 votes in favour, eight against and 28 abstentions. This marks a historic step forward following the landmark climate Advisory Opinion of the world’s highest court that made clear that urgent, equitable, and ambitious climate action is not optional but a legal obligation. The resolution, forwarded by Vanuatu and a diverse cross-regional core group of States, calls on all UN Member States to take all possible steps to avoid causing significant damage to the climate and environment, including emissions produced within their borders, and to follow through on their existing climate pledges under the Paris Agreement. Governments are urged to cooperate in good faith and continuously coordinate efforts to tackle climate change globally and ensure that climate policies safeguard the rights to life, health, and an adequate standard of living. As the UN Secretary-General had emphasized,

“The world’s highest court has spoken. Today, the General Assembly has answered. This is a powerful affirmation of international law, climate justice, science, and the responsibility of states to protect people from the escalating climate crisis.”

Following its adoption, the UNGA resolution has also made headlines in various events that have taken place in Geneva in the past weeks, including in discussions in and around the World Health Assembly, at the Biodiversity Day celebration in Geneva, and at the event focused on the challenges of rising sea levels that Small Island Developing States and coastal communities face. The resolution is also expected to be featured and discussed at the upcoming 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, amongst other upcoming meetings to take place in Geneva and beyond. Relevant news and reactions include:

Climate Science | Rising Heat, Coming El Niño

The world is heading into another period of dangerous heat, warned a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), produced by the UK’s Met Office, released last week. The “Global Annual-to-Decadal Update 2026-2035” finds that it’s nearly certain global temperatures over the next five years will stay “at or near record levels” as climate change accelerates across land and sea.

  • Annual global temperatures are expected to range between 1.3°C and 1.9°C above the 1850-1900 average, with 75% chance that the average warming across the entire five-year period will exceed 1.5°C.
  • As predicted by the WMO earlier this year, and confirmed by this new report, an El Niño event is expected to unfold from mid-2026, which increases the chances of having the following year, 2027, be the next record-breaking year, according to the report’s lead author Leon Hermanson.
  • Projections also warn that the Arctic will keep heating faster than the rest of the planet, and that continued sea ice loss, especially in the Barents, Bering and Okhotsk seas, will further amplify warming and disrupt ecosystems, weather patterns and livelihoods.
  • Higher-than-average rainfall is expected in parts of the Sahel, northern Europe, Alaska and Siberia between 2026 and 2030, while drier conditions are forecast for the Amazon region and parts of the subtropics.

As a strong El Niño event is now highly likely to develop in the tropical Pacific between June and September 2026, and to persist through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2026 to 2027, the Climate Vulnerable Forum and V20 Finance Ministers (CVF-V20) issued a science bulletin for its 74 member states. The “Preparing for a Potential “Super” El Niño in 2026 to 2027” summarizes what we know, what remains uncertain, and what CVF-V20 governments should be doing now, as the next 18 months carry the risk of compounding food, water, health, and fiscal shocks layered on top of an already record-warm climate baseline. → Read more in CVF-V20 latest science bulletin.

As extreme temperatures and heatwaves are occurring across the globe, Heat Action Day 2026, observed every year on 2 June, will raise awareness of heat risks and share simple ways to #BeatTheHeat. This year’s 5th edition will focus on indoor heat, putting the spotlight on the health risks people face inside their homes, schools, workplaces, and care facilities. Resources and activities related to Heat Action Day 2026 and extreme heat include:

  • 2026 Heat Action Day: Cities Beat the Heat | Global Cities Hub – Geneva | 2 June 2026, 14:00 – 15:00 CEST | Villa Rigot & online
    To mark the day, the Global Cities Hub – Geneva will host an event highlighting best practices and scalable initiatives that can be replicated by local and regional governments around the world. 
  • Extreme Heat Portal | PreventionWeb
    The Extreme Heat Portal brings together trusted knowledge, data, and practical experience on extreme heat for audiences working across research, policy, and communication fields. The portal connects evidence, guidance, tools, and real-world solutions to support informed understanding and effective action on heat risk.
  • Extreme Heat Risk Governance Framework and Toolkit | GHHIN, UNDRR, WMO, Duke University | November 2025
    Launched at COP30 in November 2025.
  • Call for Reviews of the second draft of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change | Registration Deadline: 26 June 2026, Submission Deadline: 3 July 2026
    The IPCC is currently in its seventh assessment cycle, which will include a Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. Following a first draft review, IPCC invites government representatives and experts to review the second draft of the Special Report on Climate Change.
  • Heatwaves and the Role of Geneva

Preparations for the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council

In preparation for the upcoming 62nd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC62) scheduled to convene in Geneva from 15 June to 7 July 2026, an organizational meeting is taking place on 1 June 2026 at Palais des Nations, Room Tempus to allow Member States to announce any initiatives they intend to take during the upcoming session and raise any procedural issues. In this session of the Council, various environment-related resolutions are expected to be tabled, including the annual resolution on climate change and human rights. → Consult the live stream on UN Web TV.

→ Regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC62, side events, and further resources will be made available on our dedicated HRC62 and the environment update. Consult highlights and re-watch the video of the information-sharing session organized by the Geneva Environment Network and the Geneva Climate Change Consultation Group (GeCCco) on environment-related activities and events taking place in and around HRC62.

Various deadlines for calls for submissions are also fast approaching:

  • The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, calls for written inputs for her thematic report on the role of justice systems in addressing the climate crisis, to be presented at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. This report will examine what is needed to empower judicial systems to play their essential role in upholding the obligations of governments and private actors to protect the climate. → The deadline for submission is 2 June 2026.
  • The call for applications has been launched for environment-related special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council at its 63rd session (HRC63), including for the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. → The deadline for submission is 9 June 2026.
  • The Human Rights Committee decided to develop a General Comment on article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (on the right to freedom of association) and launched a call for input to inform the preparation of the first draft. → The deadline for submission is 30 June 2026.

WTO Trade and Environment Week 2026

The seventh edition of WTO Trade and Environment Week is taking place from 1 to 5 June 2026. Complementing the regular work of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment, the Week offers a platform for WTO Members and stakeholders to further engage and exchange experiences on a wide range of topics relevant to the trade and environment community. The 2026 edition will feature 16 WTO Member-organized side events, covering topics such as trade measures to address climate change, biodiversity, plastic pollution and trade in environmental goods and services. The current Chair of WTO Trade and Environment Committee, H.E. Ambassador Ram Prasad Subedi of Nepal, presents the programme of this year’s editions in a video. → Consult the full programme and access the live webcast links. Registration for in-person participation is now closed.

Celebrating World Bicycle Day Riding

World Bicycle Day – celebrated each year on 3 June since 2018, promotes the bicycle as a simple, affordable, reliable and environmentally friendly means of transport. The Day highlights how cycling supports sustainable development by improving health, preventing disease, strengthening education, fostering tolerance and mutual understanding, and advancing social inclusion and a culture of peace. → Find suggestions for biking routes and activities taking place around Geneva on our World Bicycle Day page.

To mark this special occasion various events and initiatives are taking place this week, including:

  • Beginner Cycling Course for All | Pro Velo | 2 June, 12:00-13:30 CEST
    The objective of this beginner course is to help participants become familiar with bicycles and learn how to ride. Location: Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) headquarters. Register at: coursvelo@pro-velo-geneve.ch
  • World Bicycle Day Bike Ride | Belgium, City of Geneva, UNOG, WHO, UCI and Pro Velo | 3 June 2026, 14:00-15:00 CEST
    To mark this special occasion a short (and easy) celebration ride will be departing from WIPO (Chemin de Mon-Soleil).
  • Samedi du Vélo | Pro Vélo | Meeting at école des Cropettes | 6 June 2026, 13:00 CEST
    “Bike Saturdays” are free events featuring: bike rides, bike explore the city in a new way, bike lessons, bike skill levels, and bike maintenance classes.
  • Art, écologie et mobilité douce : parcours à vélo (re)connecting.earth sur la Voie Verte | Pro Vélo | Rendez-vous devant la Comédie de Genève | 6 June 2026, 14:00 CEST
    Join this cross-border guided bike ride to discover the Biennale artworks along the Voie Verte, between Geneva and Annemasse. This route is prat of the Samedis du vélo programme and combined artistic discovery, ecological reflection, and soft mobility.
  • Bicycle workshop at the greenway self-repair station | La Bicyclette Bleue | Greenway Self-Service Repair Station | 6 June 2026, 13:00-17:00 CEST
    La Bicyclette Bleue association is hosting a bike workshop at the self-repair station located at the entrance to the greenway, set up by the City of Geneva and is equipped with all the basic tools needed for minor repairs and maintenance of your bicycle.

Outcomes of World Health Assembly

The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) concluded on 23 May 2026 in Geneva with Member States adopting more than 20 decisions and 13 resolutions on pressing health issues, showcasing, as stressed in WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ opening remarks, that “multilateralism is not easy, but it’s worth it.” To advance the global health and environmental agenda, the assembly adopted significant decisions and initiatives, including:

  • Updated Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance (GAP-AMR) 2026–2036 (A79/5 Add.2)
    The updated GAP-AMR marks a major milestone in the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and delivering on a key commitment contained in the 2024 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on AMR. The updated plan was developed through a consultative process led by the Quadripartite organizations – FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH – with extensive engagement of Member States and stakeholders across sectors, and is intended to serve as the global framework for coordinated action against AMR through 2036. → WHO press release
  • WHO advocacy, communications and partnerships plan on the health response to climate change, air pollution and energy poverty
    Launched on 18 May, WHO advocacy, communications and partnerships plan “WHO at the heart of the health response to climate change, air pollution and energy poverty (2025–2028), translates the mandate set by Member States at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly into a coordinated programme of action to position health at the centre of global climate, clean air and energy agendas. The plan is structured around four strategic areas: consolidating WHO’s role as a global leader in climate change, air quality, energy and health; building awareness and advocacy across the climate, energy and health sector, anchored by the new WHO–WMO Climate Communications Hub and flagship initiatives such as Beat the Heat; expanding multi-sectoral engagement with finance, energy, urban planning, security humanitarian actors, and others; and strengthening health sector climate-resilience and sustainability. → WHO press release

Reactions, articles and press releases include:

Spotlight on Lead @ WHO

Lead is a naturally occurring metal. Its chemical and physical characteristics, such as its malleability, low melting point and resistance to corrosion, make it amenable to a range of uses. Lead is also highly toxic to humans and the environment; it is a cumulative pollutant, particularly hazardous to young children and pregnant women. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, lead poisoning is responsible for an estimated 3.5 million cardiovascular-related deaths each year and affects up to 815 million children—one in three globally—resulting in lowered cognitive functioning, educational attainment, and lifetime income. No safe level of lead exposure has been established. In other words, there is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects. Once taken into the body through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact, lead can cause permanent damage to the neurological and cardiovascular systems.

Lead has gained renewed attention in global environmental, health, and research forums in recent months. At the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025, Member States adopted resolution WHA78.27 reaffirming the health sector’s commitment to tackling lead exposure. The resolution also recognized the efforts of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint—a voluntary partnership led by UNEP and WHO—which has mobilized over 100 partners to prevent childhood exposure and reduce occupational risks. Momentum continues at the national level, with new regulations being passed, draft rules advancing, and key government authorities engaged. In the margins of the recently concluded WHA79, the World Health Organization introduced its forthcoming PREVENT Technical Package on Lead Poisoning Prevention, scheduled to be launched in 2027 alongside a draft Global Action Plan on Lead Mitigation as requested by Member States. When fully released, the PREVENT Technical Package on Lead Poisoning Prevention will include practical implementation guidance for countries across six key actions, with a focus on both the industrial and consumer sectors: 1. Prioritize sources and measure exposures; Respond to elevated blood lead and address ongoing exposures; Engage partners, private sector, and the public to increase and sustain momentum; Verify that regulations align with best practices to protect health; Enforce regulations to ensure compliance; Track progress: evaluate implementation and impact on exposure with a focus on both the industrial and consumer sectors. → Learn more in WHO press release, consult the highlights of the event held on 18 May 2026, and find more resources on Preventing Lead Poisoning from Geneva.

Outcomes of the Fourth High-Level International Conference of the Dushanbe Water Process

The Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018-2028 concluded on 28 May 2026 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, gathering approximately 2,500 participants from 110 countries, representatives of 75 international and regional organizations, as well as 170 NGOs and academic institutions, including from Geneva, and confirmed the high level of international interest in the Dushanbe Water Process and recognition of its role as an important platform for advancing the global water agenda. The main outcomes of the Conference were the adoption of the Dushanbe Declaration, the Co-Chairs’ Summary and the official contribution of the “Dushanbe Water Process” to the preparation for the 2026 UN Water Conference, which contain key recommendations and practical guidance aimed at strengthening international cooperation, promoting partnerships, and accelerating the implementation of water-related commitments.

Read more at:

Road to INC‑5.4 | Key Meetings and Initiatives Towards a Global Plastics Treaty

Activities leading up to the fourth part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5.4) continue to take place following the roadmap outlined by the INC Chair H.E. Amb. Julio Cordano in his second letter to the Member States and Observers, dated 16 March 2026. Key updates and activities include:

  • The third informal virtual meeting of Heads of Delegation to the INC, originally scheduled for 28 and 29 May 2026, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 3 June, from 13:00–15:00 CEST and Thursday, 4 June 2026, from 23:00–01:00 CEST. The meetings will be held in the format Head of Delegation + 4 delegates (HOD+4).
  • The INC Secretariat informed in a note dated 15 May 2026 that the upcoming informal in-person meetings of Heads of Delegation, to be held at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, from 30 June to 3 July 2026, is subject to a change in the format. The meeting will now follow a HOD+3 format, an increase from the previously applied HOD+2 arrangement. Participation will therefore include the designated Head of Delegation, or their designated representative, accompanied by up to three additional delegates. The deadline for registration is 14 June 2026. For further logistical information, please see the Information Note to Participants.

Recent information from engaged stakeholders include:

This week, plastics will also be discussed in the context of the 2026 WTO Trade and Environment Week, where the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP) coordinators will host a session “Trade-Related Solutions to Address Plastic Pollution and Advance the Role of Alternatives and Substitutes” on 5 June from 10:00–11:30 CEST. → Follow the live webcast.

Updates on UN80 Reform and Work Package 27 on the Environment

A Progress Report of the UN Secretary General on the UN80 Initiative released last week highlights the steps that have been taken to improve efficiency, review how mandates are implemented, and explore changes to the internal structure of the system, including the potential merger of some UN bodies. → Read more in the UN News article UN80 Initiative: ‘Critical new phase’ for UN reform effort of 28 May 2026

Next week, UNEP will convene a Briefing on Work Package 27 of the UN80 Initiative on Thursday, 9 June 2026, from 14:30 to 16:30 CEST at its headquarters in Nairobi.

More Happening Abroad

A first European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders will take place on 3 – 4 June 2026 in Strasbourg. This new regional space will bring together defenders, civil society, and institutional actors to connect, exchange, and strengthen protection for those working at the forefront of environmental action. The Forum is co-led by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council of Europe, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, and the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, in collaboration with civil society partners. The Forum will unfold over two days:

  • 3 June: a closed, safe space dedicated to EHRDs
  • 4 June: a day of engagement with policymakers, institutions, and other stakeholders

The Eighth Global Environment Facility Assembly continues in Samarkand, Uzbekistan and is expected to conclude on 6 June 2026. On the sidelines of the meeting, the 71st GEF Council is being held at the same venue until 3 June 2026. The GEF Assembly is the highest governing body of the GEF, bringing together representatives from all 186 member countries every four years to review policies, evaluate the performance of GEF-funded projects, and set priorities for future environmental action. High-level discussions will focus on governance and financing solutions for global environmental action, including on the ninth replenishment cycle of the GEF (GEF-9). → Follow the live coverage of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

The FAO–IPCC co-sponsored expert meeting ​on agriculture and food will take place from 2 to 5 June 2026 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The meeting is designed to support this AR7 process by synthesizing the latest science on agriculture and food systems under climate change. It will bring together multidisciplinary experts to discuss adaptation, mitigation, and systems transitions through a food systems lens, informing all three WGs and feeding into upcoming chapter work and cross-chapter papers. The Expert Meeting aims to provide targeted scientific and technical inputs to support the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) on agrifood systems. → Follow the live coverage of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Enjoying a ‘Hot’ Green Spring in Geneva

In light of rising temperatures observed in Geneva last week, it is important to highlight that the Swiss Confederation, the Canton, and the City of Geneva have established plans and resources to safeguard the population during periods of extreme heat, including:

Suggestions to cautiously enjoy a Green Spring in Geneva include this week:

  • Atelier d’écriture – L’humour au service de la durabilité | 2 June 2026 | Second Degré | Maison de l’Avenir
    A participatory writing workshop exploring sustainability through humor and stand-up comedy. Through guided exercises, participants are invited to write short texts inspired by ecological, social, and economic themes while discovering the creative tools and mechanisms of humorous writing.
  • Atelier découverte – Parentalité et écologie : transformer l’angoisse en action | 2 June 2026 | Parents d’avenir | Arcade Mère et Terre
    An interactive workshop for parents exploring how to navigate ecological anxiety while raising children in a changing world. Participants are invited to transform eco-anxiety into meaningful action, reconnect with their values, and build a supportive community around conscious and resilient parenting.
  • APRÈS-Ge Annual General Meeting and a celebration in honor of a member! | 2 June 2026 | APRÈS-Ge | L’ESPACE
    The APRÈS-Ge General Assembly is a key annual event in the network’s calendar: it provides an opportunity to review activities, discuss future plans, and bring members together to discuss issues related to the social and solidarity economy in Geneva. For this edition, it will showcase an inspiring collective initiative that concretely embodies the values of the social and solidarity economy: solidarity, cooperation, commitment, and the ability to bring meaningful projects to life.
  • Plantes de tous les records | 3 June 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    A playful workshop for children exploring the world’s most extraordinary plants – from the tallest and oldest to the smallest and most unusual species. Through observation and interactive activities, participants will discover the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom. 
  • À quoi servent les jardins botaniques ? | 3 June 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    A guided visit exploring the many roles of botanical gardens – from plant conservation and scientific research to education and public awareness. Participants are invited to discover how these living collections contribute to protecting biodiversity and deepening our relationship with the natural world.
  • Visite au Jardin : Le retour du printemps | 4 June 2026 | Musée d’ethnographie de Genève
    A guided visit of the MEG Garden with a horticulturist exploring the return of spring and the role of plants in the urban landscape. Through seasonal observation and discussion, participants will discover the care, knowledge, and challenges involved in maintaining this living garden space.
  • Visite découverte de la MACO : au cœur de l’économie circulaire | 4 June 2026 | La MACO
    A guided visit of the MACO, a collaborative space dedicated to circular economy and do-it-yourself practices in Geneva. Participants will discover repair workshops, shared tools, reused materials, and local initiatives promoting resource sharing, repair, and sustainable production.
  • Colloque et table ronde : Quelle éducation pour changer le monde ? | 4 June 2026 | Enfants du Monde | Uni Mail
    Enfants du Monde and the University of Geneva are hosting a day of reflection and discussion on which educational approaches can help reduce inequality. This is an event for leaders in education, the social sector, international cooperation, and philanthropy to explore teaching methods that transform lives.
  • Roundtable Discussion – What if nature were one of our best allies for good health? | 4 June 2026 | Pro-Natura | Maison de l’enfance et de l’adolescence des HUG
    Comment le vivant, les paysages et le temps passé dehors influencent-ils notre bien-être physique et psychique ? Des médecins croiseront leurs regards lors d’une table ronde, suivie d’un apéritif convivial avec boissons et en-cas, ponctué de courtes expériences sensorielles pour explorer les effets de la nature sur le corps et l’esprit.
  • Eveil du Léman – journée mondiale de l’environnement | 5 June 2026 | Parc Barton
    On the occasion of World Environment Day, join ASL for a morning stroll along the lake where you will explore the biodiversity-friendly developments, a blend of nature and the city. For the more adventurous, the experience will continue underwater with a short exploration of the seagrass meadows.
  • Arboretum at the Jardins de la Jonction  | 5 June 2026 | Jardins de la Jonction
    The 32nd edition of Arboretum is already here, and it’s a very musical one that will take us on a journey across three continents (Europe, Africa, and Latin America/the Caribbean), hosted by Geneva’s undisputed matriarch: Greta Gratos. A workshop with the Geneva Fanzine Library to entertain young and old alike!
  • 2026 Bol d’Or du Léman | 5 – 7 June 2026 | Société Nautique de Genève
    This legendary annual competition features a 123-kilometer course connecting Geneva to Le Bouveret, via Port-Noir. A true celebration of the lake organized by the Société Nautique de Genève, this is an unmissable event for the large crowds who gather each year to watch more than 500 boats and 3,500 crew members set sail.
  • 10 Years of Nature in the Allondon Valley | 6 June 2026 | Pro Natura Geneva; Faune Geneva; Eveil en forêt
    In the heart of the Vallon de l’Allondon, Faune Genève, Eveil en forêt, and Pro Natura Genève’s Vallon de l’Allondon Nature Center invite you to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Come celebrate these milestones with us—bring your family and friends!
  • À la découverte du guêpier, oiseau multicolore | 6 June 2026 | ProNatura | Soral
    Join this family activity to discover a small, restored haven of peace filled with most colorful bird in our region! 
  • Les animaux en ville – Sortie Panda Club – WWF Genève | 6 June 2026 | WWF Genève | Promenade des Bastions
    The city is full of pockets of nature, from parks, community gardens, and green walls – these places are perfect for wildlife. During this walk, come and observe the animals we might encounter in the city such as squirrels, birds,  lizards, or bumblebees.
  • SECOND-HAND: Renfile Thrift Store – 4th Edition | 6 June 2026 | Renfile | Salle communale de Plainpalais
    Early June is the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe on a budget: light dresses, T-shirts, accessories… everything you need to get ready for summer without breaking the bank. And this year, it will offer several new additions.
  • Concert au Jardin Botanique de Genève | 7 June 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    In partnership with the Geneva Botanical Garden, the Geneva Chamber Orchestra presents short, informal concerts designed to be enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere. The Concerts at the Geneva Botanical Garden offer a unique open-air musical experience, perfect for unwinding and making the most of the moment.
  • Les grenouilles des Evaux | 7 June 2026 | ProNatura | Parc des Evaux
    A discovery outing around the Parc des Evaux’s pond in search of the inhabitants of this special environment. Learn more about frogs, newts and dragonflies, as well as their fascinating way of life.
  • Land Art Workshop | 7 June 2026 | Alliance Française of Geneva | Parc La Grange
    This Land Art workshop invites you to reconnect with nature and improve your French. An immersive experience designed to awaken your senses, create, and share in a friendly atmosphere.
  • Glaciers d’Arctique, état des lieux | Until 11 June 2o26 | Cluster Eau Lémanique with ESA | HEPIA
    The exhibition “The Tears of the Glaciers”, created by the Cluster Eau Lémanique in collaboration with the ESA, highlights global glacial melt. This awareness-raising project offers an insight into the world of glaciers, the resources they provide, and the challenges facing these ice masses, using satellite imagery and 3D modelling to illustrate the fragility of glaciers in 19 regions. As part of the exhibition, our department will host director Pierre Dugowsown and glaciologists Heidi Sevestre and Luc Moreau for a screening of the documentary ‘Arctic Glaciers: State of Play’, followed by a panel discussion.
  • 3e édition de la Biennale de l’Art et de la Nature Urbaine – (re)connecting.earth | Until 14 June 2026 | (re)connecting.earth | Various Locations
    The (re)connecting.earth Biennial returns with a cross-border outdoor exhibition along the Greenway of Greater Geneva, extending to Annemasse. Through artworks, workshops, and events, this edition explores “sensitive resources” and the role of natural materials, from sand to water, in shaping our daily lives and global systems. 
  • Exhibition “Quel froid!” | Until 30 August 2026 | Maison Tavel
    This exhibition explores the theme of winter in Geneva and beyond, bringing together traditions, artists’ perspectives, and visual archives. Visitors are guided through popular practices, urban scenes, and majestic landscapes, from Lake Geneva to the Alps. 
  • Temporary Exhibition – « Jamais la nature ne nous trompe » | Until 23 December 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    Come and discover a scientific and aesthetic object that bears witness to Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s passion for nature and botany: one of his rare portable herbariums, designed to deepen knowledge of plants and awaken an interest in botany.

What (Else) to Read Next?

  • Suivi du smog estival et qualité de l’air: annonce du 29.05.2026 – Ozone, retour à la normale | République et Canton de Genève | 29 May 2026
    During periods of strong sunshine, summer days can be affected by temporary or more persistent rises in ozone levels. To find out the pollutant levels and the measures in place, consult the latest announcement published by the authorities and updated as the situation develops.
  • Artificial Intelligence for environmental crime enforcement | GI-TOC | 28 May 2026
    Environmental crime poses several strategic challenges for the use of AI, leading to a clear conclusion: effective use of AI in environmental crime enforcement depends less on advancing technology and more on strengthening the underlying systems that enable it to function. This includes investing in data infrastructure, building institutional capacity, aligning tools with clearly defined problems and developing effective governance frameworks.
  • UNECE develops new guidance to reduce food loss in fresh and dried produce | UNECE | 28 May 2026
    The new Code is expected to be finalized in the coming year and will complement the UNECE Code of Good Practice: Reducing food loss and ensuring optimum handling of fresh fruit and vegetables along the value chain, which was issued in 2023.  Reducing food loss and waste is essential to achieving SDG target 12.3 which aims to halve per-capita global food waste at retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along supply chains by 2030 – and contributes to other goals, including reducing hunger and water scarcity, and addressing climate change. 
  • Reducing disease risks in protected areas: New toolkit launched to safeguard human, wildlife and ecosystem health | IUCN | 27 May 2026
    Grounded in expert consensus and informed by real-world testing, the MAP–ACT–CREATE for One Health toolkit is presented in the new publication “Assessing and reducing infectious disease risks in protected and conserved areas”. The toolkit was developed by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Task Force on Protected Areas and One Health, an international group of 21 experts in health and conservation, and tested with protected area managers on the ground, combining scientific rigour with practical relevance and applicability.
  • From Santa Marta to Tuvalu: Preparing the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative for Its Next Chapter | Kumi Naidoo, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative | 27 May 2026
    The Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative will undergo a major restructuring as we prepare for the next phase of this work – scaling a secretariat function and government support to formalise a multilateral process on fossil fuels.as we prepare for the next phase of this work – scaling a secretariat function and government support to formalise a multilateral process on fossil fuels.
  • 2026 UN Water Conference: revised dates | UN Water | 25 May 2026
    Following the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of Decision A/80/L.62, The Conference will now take place from 8–10 December 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). (It had previously been scheduled for 2–4 December 2026).
  • Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Safeguarding The Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence | The Holy See | 25 May 2026
    On the 135th anniversary of *Rerum novarum*, the Pope reflects in his first encyclical, *Magnifica humanitas*, on the Church’s social teaching in the age of artificial intelligence. He calls for the preservation of “a magnificent humanity inhabited by God,” promoting truth, the dignity of work, social justice, and peace. In the digital age, we must disarm AI and move beyond the theory of “just war,” reviving dialogue and multilateralism. Current AI systems require enormous amounts of energy and water, significantly influencing carbon dioxide emissions, and place heavy demands on natural resources. It is essential to develop more sustainable technological solutions that reduce environmental impact and help protect our common home.
  • How the Bamako Convention Can Drive Real Implementation of the Basel Convention in Africa | Gilbert Kuepouo | 25 May 2026
    As African civil society strives to drive action on waste trade as an urgent environmental and social justice issue in Africa during the observance of Africa Day, it is important to look at the global and regional instruments responsible for controlling waste trade, their weaknesses, and areas of complementarity and effectiveness.
  • Annihilating South Lebanon: What we know so far about ecocide and urban devastation | Zeinab Othman, Greenpeace International | 22 May 2026
    That was when everything began. Two weeks after the first rounds of mutual shelling started on 8 October 2023, waves of forced displacement from the villages along Lebanon’s border strip intensified. The villages bled dry of their residents, and press reports documented thousands of displaced people every day. By the end of the year, dozens of Lebanese villages were deserted. And before the media began framing it as a “war,” more than 90,000 people had already been driven out of their homes and villages by Israeli attacks.
  • Why green investment needs smarter rules to benefit developing countries | UNCTAD | 21 May 2026
    New UNCTAD analysis notes that attracting clean energy investment is an important step, but additional measures are needed to deliver an inclusive energy transition. The world needs more than $1 trillion a year in renewable energy investment by 2030, much of it from private and foreign sources, but without access to technology, skills and enough policy flexibility to build local industries, many developing countries risk remaining buyers rather than builders in the green economy.
  • We’re ‘green chemists’ – why we think this emerging science can transform the way the world uses its resources | Andrew C Marr and Paul Anastas, The Conversation | 21 May 2026
    Society depends on chemistry far more than we consciously realise, from medicines to energy to electronics. However, chemistry is viewed with as much apprehension as gratitude, because of the pollution and health problems that some chemicals cause. There is a strong desire to have all the benefits of chemistry, but none of the downsides. This has led to terms like “chemical free product” coming into popular usage.
  • New reporting tools, science and partnerships drive discussions at SC67 | Convention on Wetlands | 18 May 2026
    The 67th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on Wetlands convened from 4 to 8 May 2026 at the Secretariat’s headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, bringing together Contracting Parties to carry forward decisions adopted at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Delegates focused on some of the Convention’s most pressing issues: how countries will measure progress under the new Strategic Plan, strengthen scientific guidance, address funding pressures and improve the global visibility of wetlands at a time of growing concern over water security, biodiversity loss and climate impacts.
  • Introducing WISEN: The wartime incidents to environment database | WISEN | May 2026
    Recent years have seen a welcome shift in how the environmental dimensions of armed conflicts are understood and viewed. Yet much of this work is fragmented and no centralised source exists that can be called upon for research, advocacy and justice. This limits our ability to protect and restore the environment for those who depend upon it. CEOBS introduces a step change in how incidents of environmental harm during armed conflicts can be remotely characterised and mapped: the Wartime IncidentS to ENvironment Database, or WISEN.

Events

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Conference

Trade and Environment Week 2026

01 – 05 Jun 2026

WTO Headquarters

WTO

Climate | Green Economy | Plastics | Nature | Trade and Environment

SDG8 | SDG12

World Day

World Bicycle Day 2026

03 Jun 2026

Climate | Health and Environment | Air Pollution

SDG3 | SDG11 | SDG13

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Updates

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29 May 2026

World Bicycle Day

Climate | Health and Environment | Air Pollution

SDG11 | SDG3 | SDG13

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