Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 12 -25 July 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. The newsletter is issued bimonthly in July-August. Stay tuned and follow us also on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Due to the developments in the sanitary situation, various institutions in Geneva continue 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.

Image of the week | Basel Convention Plastic Waste Partnership Photography Exhibition “Plastic is Forever”, Rotonde du Mont-Blanc, 5 July 2021 ©UNEP, Malou Lenoir-Lasquite

WTO Fisheries Subsidies Ministerial Meeting

After 20 years, WTO negotiations on harmful fisheries subsidies – considered a main driver of overfishing – should be reaching their final stage this semester. A virtual meeting of ministers will take place on 15 July 2021 to advance negotiations on curbing harmful fisheries subsidies. Ministers will be guided by a common set of questions and will discuss the way forward for the talks. At the end of the meeting, WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will sum up ministers’ guidance to negotiators for how the talks should proceed from September, for finalizing an agreement ahead of the 12th Ministerial Conference, scheduled to take place from 30 November to 3 December 2021.

The chair of the fisheries subsidies negotiations, Ambassador Santiago Wills of Colombia, introduced on 30 June a revised draft text. The changes proposed in the text are intended to point members towards the convergence needed to successfully conclude negotiations.

Environment @ Human Rights Council

The 47th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC47) will conclude this week in Geneva and virtually. The HRC is expected to adopt its annual resolution on human rights and climate change at this session. Our update highlights the environmental-related developments at HRC47.

On 13 July, a side-event organized by Germany, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups and systemic discrimination, will explore the state of the UN’s engagement with regard to human-rights-based climate action and identify potential areas for improvement, collective engagement and cooperation.

Nature-based Solutions Agenda

Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions Anniversary

One year on from the launch of the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions, IUCN is kicking off its series of Annual Updates on Nature-based Solutions. Every year on 23 July, IUCN will be looking both backward and forward, bringing the champions and critics of Nature-based Solutions to the same table. Join IUCN and stakeholders around the world on 23 July to come together on the state of Nature-based Solutions.

Geneva Nature-based Solutions Dialogues

The Geneva Nature-based Solutions dialogues – convened by the Geneva Environment Network and IUCN – aim to facilitate further engagement and discussion among the stakeholders in International Geneva and beyond, in the lead-up to a critical year for nature and society. Find online the outcomes of the first sessions on health, ecosystem restoration and the post-2020 biodiversity framework.

Geneva & Environment @ High-Level Political Forum 2021

The annual meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) – the core platform of the United Nations for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals – is taking place from 6 July to 15 July 2021 at the United Nations in New York and virtually. Numerous environmental actors from International Geneva are involved in the HLPF 2021 official meetings, special events and side events. A selection of special and side-events in our update.

Happening Abroad

Press Conference for the Release of the First Draft of the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Outlook | 12 July 2021, 16:00 CEST
Media briefing to learn more about the new framework with the the Co-Chairs of the Open-ended Working Group, Basile van Havre and Francis Ogwal, as well as CBD Executive Secretary, Elizabeth Mrema.
Forum on the Multi-stakeholder Platform on Marine Litter and Microplastics | Japan | 13 July 2021, 11:00-15:00 CEST
This forum is intended to explore immediate and concrete multi-stakeholder activities on marine plastic litter and microplastics, enable subject-specific discussions, enhance multi-stakeholder collaboration, coordinate existing initiatives and create further actions.
2nd Part of the 43rd Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (OEWG 43) | 14-17 July 2021
Parties will consider updated technical reports on 1) unexpected emissions of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), and 2) energy-efficient and low-global-warming-potential technologies.

What (Else) Should I Read Next?

Hydromet Gap Report | Alliance for Hydromet Development | 8 July 2021
The report tells us how far we have to go to tap the benefits of effective weather and climate services. It presents the challenges of the complex global and local undertaking required and proposes priority actions to scale up support to developing countries to strengthen their capacity.
Global insurance and reinsurance leaders establish groundbreaking net-zero alliance | UNEP FI | 11 July 2021
Eight of the world’s leading insurers and reinsurers make a historic commitment to play their part in accelerating the transition to a net-zero emissions economy. The Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA), is convened by UNEP Finance Initiative’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI).
Almost a quarter of global banking assets now in the Net-Zero Banking Alliance | UNEP FI | 11 July 2021
The Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), established in April 2021 by 43 founding banks, and convened by UNEP Finance Initiative, has now grown to 53 banks from 27 countries with US$ 37 trillion in total assets – representing almost a quarter of banking assets worldwide
A Future for All: The Need for Human-Wildlife Coexistence | UNEP & WWF | 8 July 2021
Globally, conflict-related killing affects more than 75% of the world’s wild cat species, as well as many other terrestrial and marine carnivore species such as polar bears and Mediterranean monk seals, and large herbivores such as elephants.
Let’s Criminalize Ecocide | Yessenia Funes | Atmos Magazine | 7 July 2021
Efforts to make ecocide the fifth international crime are gaining steam. The Frontline dives into the value of creating this new law, as well as its limitations.
Environmental Issues in the Multilateral Trading System: Past, Present and Possible Future | Kartikeya Garg | CUTS | 8 July 2021
This paper reviews efforts towards addressing environmental issues in the multilateral trading system, both in the past as well as in several current initiatives. It concludes by suggesting further steps that Members may consider in order to move towards a more environmentally conscious WTO.
States have these 13 duties when it comes to biodiversity and human rights | UNEP | 5 July 2021
The human right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as well as other human rights, can only be realized where biodiversity thrives and ecosystems are healthy.