Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 1 – 7 March 2021

The Geneva Environment Network’s weekly newsletter includes the latest information on the global environmental agenda, main events, job vacancies, learning opportunities, as well as other useful resources and updates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some live events organized by organizations around the world, contributing to the global environmental agenda, have also been included. Stay tuned and follow us also on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Due to the developments in the sanitary situation, most institutions in Geneva are operating virtually. Our update on COVID-19 and the environment lists relevant information, research, data and press releases on the environmental origins and impacts of the pandemic.

Environment @ HRC46

The 46th regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC46) continues this week in Geneva and virtually. Our update on HRC-46 provides relevant information, links and other resources regarding the environmental-related activities of this session. On the agenda this week:

The report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment on ‘Human rights and the global water crisis: water pollution, water scarcity and water-related disasters‘ (A/HRC/46/28) will be considered at HRC46. It will presented at a side-event on 2 March 2021, at 16:30 CET.
The interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on human rights and the environment should start on 3 March at 15:00 CET.
A parallel event will present the report “Human rights depend on a healthy biosphere” of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment. It will discuss the obligations it clarifies, the recommendations it formulates, and its contribution to upcoming major conferences on biodiversity. Register on Webex and join on 5 March at 15.30 CET.
The International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH), starting on 5 March, will include a series of films and events related to human rights and the environment. The We Are Watching flag, a symbol of the climate emergency designed by artivist Dan Acher, will fly above Geneva on 6 March. On 7 March, two leading researchers will present their manifesto for an economy at the service of common goods and the planet.

Celebrating World Wildlife Day

“Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet” is the theme for World Wildlife Day, celebrated each year on 3 March to commemorate the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. It will highlight the central role of forests, forest species and ecosystems services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally, and particularly of Indigenous and local communities with historic ties to forested and forest-adjacent areas.

CITES is hosting a high-level virtual celebration, which will bring together representatives of UN member States, UN System organizations and multilateral environmental agreements, civil society, and the private sector for a series of discussions. Join the event on 3 March at 14.00 CET.
Our update on World Wildlife Day lists relevant information and resources in Geneva to celebrate wildlife.
This week Wednesdays for the Planet will showcase Our Planet – One Planet episode and the Geneva Sanctuary Forest, with experts from WWF International and the Geneva Canton.

Nature-based Solutions for Recovery

Nature-based solutions offer significant opportunities to foster a recovery that can enhance pathways and positive impacts for addressing the climate and biodiversity loss crises. As other key actors, IUCN is working with its members and partners across the world to make nature-based solutions a central component for national post-COVID19 recovery plans and policy frameworks.

This week, IUCN is hosting two ministerial panels to discuss what is being achieved and what more can be done to leverage the power of nature-based solutions for recovery. Join the high-level events on 3 March 2021 at 8.00 CET and/or 14.00 CET.

What (Else) Should I Read Next?

#The time is now – The case for universal recognition of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment | David Boyd, John Knox, Marc Limon | 23 February 2021
New policy report describing the broad normative contours of a right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (R2E), explaining the benefits, for humanity, the environment and the climate, that would accrue from universal recognition of such a right.
UN Environment Assembly concludes with an urgent call for action to solve planetary emergencies | UNEP | 23 February 2021
Outcomes of the fifth UN Environment Assembly, including the adoption of a political message in which Member States reaffirmed UNEP’s mandate as the leading global environmental authority and called for greater and more inclusive multilateralism to tackle environmental challenges.
A new global treaty to tackle plastic pollution? | Geneva Solutions | 1 March 2021
Overview of the progress and challenges in governance of plastic pollution, as negotiations for a global treaty on plastic pollution are expected to kick off next year
The Movement Towards a Global Treaty on Plastic | Rethink Plastic Alliance | 24 February 2021
Opinion piece on the rationale for and components of a potential global agreement on plastics, in anticipation of the second segment of the fifth UN Environment Assembly next year (UNEA-5.2).
World’s forgotten fishes vital for hundreds of millions of people but one-third face extinction, warns new report | WWF | 23 February 2021
New report highlighting the diversity of freshwater fishes and their critical role for the health, food security and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people, and calling for better recognition of their value, as one in three specie is threatened with extinction.
Greater Climate Ambition Urged as Initial NDC Synthesis Report Is Published | UNFCCC | 26 February 2021
UNFCCC published the Initial NDC Synthesis Report, showing that nations must redouble efforts and submit stronger, more ambitious national climate action plans in 2021 if they are to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise under 2°C.
Why should you care about the United Nations biodiversity talks this year? | WWF | 26 February 2021
This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for nature, and leaders from 193 countries are set to attend the conference to secure an agreement. The focus is to agree and adopt a global ten year plan to protect and restore nature, with targets for countries to achieve by 2030.
World risks ‘collapse of everything’ without strong climate action, Attenborough warns Security Council | UN News | 23 February 2021
More collective action is needed to address the risks climate change poses to global peace and security, the UN Secretary-General told a high-level Security Council debate last Tuesday, as renowned natural historian David Attenborough warned countries that the planet faces total ‘collapse’.