Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 11 – 17 December 2023

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. Stay tuned and follow us also on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | A Briefing on the 6th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, took place on 6 December, at the International Environment House. Leading experts highlighted the importance of integrating the environment across the entire multilateral system and linking with various processes led in Geneva that are contributing to addressing the triple planetary crisis.

The Future of Human Rights, the Environment and Climate | 75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The year-long celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights culminates in a two-day high-level event on 11 and 12 December 2023 at Palais des Nations. With participants from all over the world, including Member States, civil society organizations, cities and local governments, human rights defenders, parliamentary representatives, United Nations entities, academics, experts, Indigenous Peoples, young people and artists, the gathering serves as an opportunity to commemorate this landmark achievement, as well as to encourage pledges towards achieving freedom, equality and justice for all.

In the face of the triple planetary crisis, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights serves as a beacon to advance the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. In this light, a roundtable entitled “The Future of Human Rights, the Environment and Climate” will be convened on 12 December, from 15:00 – 17:00 CET, in Room XIX. The roundtable will look to the next 25 years and consider concrete recommendations to address the triple planetary crisis through the lens of human rights and through steps to uphold these rights as a path to solutions. → Follow this roundtable and other events taking place during the two-day gathering through the Human Rights 75 Virtual Conference Centre.

→ As International Geneva takes urgent action to respect, protect and fulfil human rights for the protection of both people and the planet, learn more about human rights, the environment, and the role of Geneva in our dedicated update.

A Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution

The Second session of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on the Science-Policy Panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (OEWG 2) takes place this week in Nairobi. Pre-session discussions took place last weekend including informal consultations and regional and stakeholder meetings.

With a dense schedule of plenaries, bureau meetings, regional meetings, and contact groups, OEWG 2 will discuss the way forward for the establishment of the science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and pollution prevention. Various delegations support the use of the Draft text for proposals to establish a science-policy panel (UNEP/SPP-CWP/OEWG.2/INF/10) — developed on the basis of the Proposed Skeleton Outline document (UNEP/SPP-CWP/OEWG.2/2) — as a starting point for developing proposals to establish a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution.

To better prepare for the OEWG 2 meeting, access all documents on the OEWG-2 Website under the “Pre-Session Documents” tab and rewatch the latest session of the Road to OEWG 2 webinar and events series. → Follow the negotiations through the Earth Negotiations Bulletin live coverage.

International Geneva @ COP28

At the UN Climate Conference (COP28), expected to conclude on 12 December 2023, actors from Geneva have led and contributed to the various thematic days and the tabling of important declarations.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) informed COP28 negotiations on the accelerated rate of climate change and its impacts in the past decade with its Decadal State of Climate 2011-2020 Report. → Read WMO Press Release
- 2011-2020 was the warmest decade on record for both land and ocean
- Glaciers around the world thinned by approximately 1m per year on average
- Sea level rose at an annual rate of 4.5mm/yr
- Ocean warmed at an increasing rate and became more acidic
- Approximately 60% of the surface of the ocean experienced a heatwave
- The decadal global average CO2 rose to 402.0 ppm
- Greenland and Antarctica lost 38% more ice in last decade than previous
- Arctic sea ice extent seasonal mean minimum was 30% below average

The first Health Day at a Climate COP rallied enormous consensus on strengthening action on linkages between health and climate, with 124 countries signing the Declaration on Climate and Health and pledging to equip healthcare systems to cope with climate change.
Trade Day and the overall engagement in the Trade House Pavilion stressed that “trade policy tools can help countries increase low-carbon goods uptake by reforming import tariffs, rethinking government procurement and promoting trade facilitation,” as DG Okonjo-Iweala stated.
Nature, Land Use and Ocean Day saw leaders endorse commitments and pledges to drive climate action and continue to build momentum to protect and restore nature.
Leading public finance institutions committed to delivering net-zero economies by 2050 by supporting the decarbonization of trade and facilitating joint action from public and private finance joining the UN-led net-zero finance alliance, the Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA).
Various works to anchor climate action to just transition were advanced through the launch of the COP28 Gender-Responsive Just Transitions & Climate Action Partnership.
Progress on discussions on the Santiago Network, and establishment of its secretariat.

Important reports and initiatives launched at COP28 include:

State of Finance for Nature 2023 | UNEP | 9 December 2023
The State of Finance for Nature annual report series tracks finance flows to nature-based solutions and compares them to the finance needed to maximise the potential of Nature-based Solutions to help tackle climate, biodiversity and degradation challenges.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Update 2023 | IUCN | 11 December 2023
IUCN is issuing an update to the Red List of Threatened Species at COP28, Dubai on Monday, 11 December.
Climate Change and Migratory Species: A Review of Impacts, Conservation Actions, Indicators and Ecosystem Services | Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) | 10 December 2023
The direct effects of climate change on many migratory species are already being seen, including poleward range shifts, changes in the timing of migration, and reduced breeding success and survival. Migratory species support vital ecosystem services that both mitigate the impacts of climate change and increase climate resilience.
International trade and green hydrogen: Supporting the global transition to a low-carbon economy | IRENA & WTO | 9 December 2023
IRENA-WTO report highlights the role of trade in developing green hydrogen markets.
Pathways towards lower emissions. A global assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options from livestock agrifood systems | FAO | 8 December 2023
This publication illustrates pathways towards lower emissions through a set of interventions on both the supply and demand sides of animal production.
What’s Cooking? An assessment of potential impacts of selected novel alternatives to conventional animal products | UNEP | 8 December 2023
This special issue of the Frontiers Report focuses on the potential environmental, health, social and animal welfare implications of the uptake of novel meat and dairy alternatives, in particular novel plant-based, fermentation-derived and cultivated products.
Key findings related to loss and damage from the Working Group II report of the sixth IPCC assessment of the global climate | IFRC Climate Centre and Flood Resilience Alliance | 7 December 2023
The principle aim of the report is to enable WGII content on loss and damage to be “translated into actionable information for national and regional policy-makers” and the key issues for the relevant negotiations at COP28 in Dubai and beyond.
Buildings Breakthrough | The Governments of France and Morocco, together with UNEP launched the Buildings Breakthrough on 6 December 2023. It will see countries joining forces to accelerate the transformation of the sector – which accounts for 21 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. → Read UNEP Press Release
Global Tipping Points | T. M. Lenton, D.I. Armstrong McKay, S. Loriani et al. | University of Exeter | 6 December 2023
More than 25 Earth system tipping points have been identified, of which six are in the cryosphere, sixteen in the biosphere and four in ocean and atmosphere circulations. Some Earth system tipping points are rapidly becoming high-impact, high-likelihood events.
Global Cooling Watch 2023: Keeping it Chill: How to meet cooling demands while cutting emissions | UNEP | 5 December 2023
The report demonstrates the potential and the pathways to achieve near-zero emissions from cooling and provides a call to action for countries to pursue the policies and strategies that have the greatest impact. → Read UNEP Press Release
Global Carbon Budget 2023 | Global Carbon Project, University of Exter, FutureEarth, Global Carbon Budget | 5 December 2023
The report projects that total global CO₂ emissions (fossil + land use change) will be 40.9 billion tonnes in 2023. This is about the same as 2022 levels, and part of a 10-year “plateau” – far from the steep reduction in emissions that is urgently needed to meet climate targets.

Other news related to COP28 and climate change include:

The European Union Earth Observation Agency Copernicus confirmed November 2023 was the warmest November on record globally and that 2023 will be the warmest year on record.
Six countries and UN agency join vital global partnership to advance Nature-based Solutions | IUCN | 9 December 2023
Six countries and UNEP joined the ENACT Partnership (Enhancing Nature-based Solutions for an Accelerated Climate Transformation), launched at COP-27.
The pathways to meeting the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit | Carbon Brief | 8 December 2023
The interactive unpacks what future levels of emissions could mean for global average temperatures, if – or when – the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit might be breached, and, in some cases, by how much and for how long.
Letter to COP28 Delegates from Indigenous Leaders & Allies: Ensure Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Are Secured in the “Green” Transition | Cultural Survivor | 7 December 2023
“COP28 must be the foundation for governments around the world to build on this momentum and take the urgent steps needed to secure Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination so that the world can get this transition right, take the required climate action, and avoid making the mistakes of the past that have put our people and ways of life at risk, and have pushed planetary boundaries to dangerous limits.”
Is ‘something special’ happening at COP28? Campaigners and delegates are divided | EuroGreen News | 7 December 2023
The first week of climate negotiations in Dubai saw some surprising successes and some frustrating failures,” says Dr Stephen Cornelius, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)’s Deputy Global Climate and Energy Lead.
Visualised: how all of G20 is missing climate goals — but some nations are closer than others | The Guardian | 7 December 2023
Not a single G20 country has policies in place that are consistent with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C and meeting their “fair share” of emissions reduction.
Cop28: highlights and lowlights so far | The Guardian | 7 December 2023
A summary of some of the news from the first half of Cop28, including a spectacular row about the host president’s remarks on the science of fossil fuels, negotiations around fossil fuel reduction commitments, and other successes and setbacks so far.
We need power to prescribe climate policy, IPCC scientists say | Arthur Nelson | 7 December 2023
Five lead authors of IPCC reports told the Guardian that scientists should be given the right to make policy prescriptions and, potentially, to oversee their implementation by the 195 states signed up to the UN framework convention on climate change.
Exclusive: Moldova volunteers to run COP29 climate summit, Serbia also mulls bid | Reuters | 7 December 2023
Moldova has put itself forward as a candidate for the presidency of next year’s UN Climate Summit and Serbia is also considering throwing its hat in the ring, according to people familiar with the matter and a document seen by Reuters.
Dubai’s Gold-Gilded COP28 Summit Changes Climate Talks Forever | Bloomberg | 7 December 2023
There are nearly three times as many attendees as during COP26 in Glasgow, which forged a landmark deal to phase down unabated coal, and around four times more than the 2015 summit that birthed the Paris Agreement. The summit’s gold-gilded enormity has given rise to fears that a successful outcome for the climate could prove a desert mirage.
Carbon pricing would raise trillions needed to tackle climate crisis, says IMF | The Guardian | 7 December 2023
Diverting the trillions of dollars by which the world subsidies fossil fuel production each year, and putting an implicit price on carbon emissions, would generate the vast amounts of cash needed to tackle the climate crisis, the head of the International Monetary Fund has said.
Transition to Clean Cooking Is a ‘Low-Hanging Fruit’ in Climate Action | Health Policy Watch | 6 December 2023
Improving access to clean cooking will not only help the world get closer to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but it will not be possible to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals without doing so, said experts speaking on the sidelines of COP28.
COP28: UN urges coordinated action to align soaring Critical Raw Materials extraction and use with sustainable development | UNECE | 6 December 2023
All five United Nations Regional Commissions and international experts have called at COP28 for international coordination and urgent action to ensure that massive CRM expansion does not undermine sustainable development.
Up to 2.8 Billion People Possibly Exposed to Heatwaves Worldwide by 2090: New IOM Analysis | IOM | 5 December 2023
While the ability to foresee the effects of climate change on population movements worldwide remains limited, almost half of the people potentially affected by heatwaves (up to 1.3 billion) are projected to live in Southern Asia, a region that has witnessed 59.7 million climate-related displacements in the past decade.
Release: Record number of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP28 | Kick Big Polluters Out | 5 December 2023
At least 2456 fossil fuel lobbyists have been granted access to the COP28 summit in Dubai, signalling an unprecedented presence at crucial climate talks from representatives of some of the world’s biggest polluters, according to a new analysis from the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition.
On Behalf of My Delegation: A survival guide for new and lonely climate change negotiators | Joyeeta Gupta and Jennifer Allan | IISD | 4 December 2023
Climate negotiations continue at the same unrelenting pace as the climate impacts they hope to avert. There is a clear need to support negotiators who are overwhelmed by the complexity of both the subject and the negotiation process.

Want to dive into COP28 negotiations? → Follow the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, watch the public webcast, check UNEP’s Spotlight on Climate Action, or read the Climate Action Network International (CAN) ECO daily newsletter.

Last Fish Week Pushes to Speed Up Fisheries Agreement

Last week, WTO convened the final ‘Fish Week‘ of the year, a key moment to unfold the necessary groundwork for delivering the second wave of negotiations to further strengthen the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies disciplines at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), taking place from 26 to 29 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi. A new document drafted by the Chair — H.E. Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland — aimed to find consensus on provisions prohibiting subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing and the provisions for unique and differential treatment for developing members and least-developed country members.

Other important documents on IUU and overfishing recently released include:

The Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Risk Index | Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management and Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime | 6 December 2023
The IUU Fishing Risk Index reports synthesize and analyse the Index scores for countries, regions and ocean basins for different types of state responsibilities. The global score was slightly worse than in 2021, indicating that there has been no notable shift or improvement in overall global IUU fishing risk.
The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2023 | FAO | 5 December 2023
While overfishing remains a concern, The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2023 report records a drop of 15 percent in this figure over the last year, consistent with a continuous reduction in fishing pressure, which has fallen by 31 percent since 2012.

What (Else) to Read Next?

Governments continue discussions on pandemic agreement negotiating text | WHO | 7 December 2023
To accelerate its progress, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) established four drafting subgroups led by the INB Bureau Vice Chairs and co-facilitated by Member States, to consider the proposed articles on each topic. The INB recommended subgroups continue holding informal discussions with Member States and propose text for their respective articles by 15 January 2024 for consideration at the eighth INB meeting to be held from 19 February–1 March 2024. The ninth will take place from 18–28 March 2024.
The Climate Myth of Deep Sea Mining | Planet Tracker | 6 December 2023
Deep-sea mining companies claim that mining polymetallic nodules could provide a low-carbon alternative to terrestrially mined metals. However, it has also attracted significant and growing opposition, with companies, investors, national governments, scientists and civil society organizations calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
Two-week protest at sea against deep sea mining comes to an end with activists undeterred | Greenpeace Aotearoa | 6 December 2023
Greenpeace International activists have carried out the first-ever occupation against deep sea mining as part of a nearly 2-week protest in the Pacific Ocean. With a range of peaceful actions, Greenpeace protested during almost half of The Metals Company’s (TMC) scheduled expedition alongside winning a landmark judgement for peaceful protest.