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Newsletter 16 Mar 2026

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 16 – 22 March 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.

In observance of Eid al‑Fitr, Friday, 20 March 2026, is an official holiday for the United Nations Office in Geneva.

Image of the week | Speakers and participants at the closing of the event “Human Rights and Biodiversity: Advancing Rights‑Based Action toward the UN Biodiversity Conference COP17” organized on the margins of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, and concluding the 2026 editions of the Geneva Rights and Environment Talks. These talks offer an opportunity to explore the reports and ongoing work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Environment @ 61st Session of the Human Rights Council

As the 61st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC61) enters its fourth week in Geneva, key developments advancing the human rights and environment agenda include:

Clean air and human rights | Last week, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to a healthy environment, Astrid Riaño Puentes, continued her interactive dialogue at the Council on her report, “Priority actions towards breathing clean air, protecting public health and ensuring a healthy environment” (A/HRC/61/47). In her response to questions during the dialogue, the UN Special Rapporteur highlighted the importance of overcoming a siloed approach in tackling air pollution and invites States to uphold the obligations clearly articulated in the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, including the phasing out of fossil fuels. Clean air and human rights were also addressed in various events and articles last week:

Film “Yurlu | Country” featuring Maitland Parker who dedicated his life to protecting his ancestral land poisoned by asbestos mining | Various moments at the Council and at the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights featuring the film director and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to a healthy environment paid tribute to the ongoing contributions and struggles of Banjima People for their right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as they continue to face devastating effects of asbestos in Wittenoom, the largest contaminated site in the southern hemisphere.

Rights-based approach to Biodiversity | The global analytical study on the implementation of a human rights-based approach into the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (A/HRC/61/36) by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, requested by resolution 57/28, was presented to the Council last week, prompting discussions and reactions:

  • The Geneva Rights and Environment Talk, “Human Rights and Biodiversity: Advancing Rights‑Based Action toward the UN Biodiversity Conference COP17“, highlighted the vision for an “action-oriented, participatory and inclusive COP17, taking place in Yerevan, Armenia. The global analytical study by the High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/61/36) on the implementation of a human rights-based approach into the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, was also presented at the talk
  • Following the presentations of the study, a statement by Colombia, on behalf of a cross-regional group of countries, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Germany, Malaysia, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Cyprus, Chile, Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Mexico, Belgium, Netherlands, Estonia, and Armenia, underscored that “a rights-based approach to biodiversity issues and environmental problems in general is vital to responding adequately to the novel challenges posed by the triple planetary crisis”. They conveyed their “firm commitment to further advancing these matters in the Council with a clear grounding on the best available science and the principles of equity and international solidarity and a view to provide States and developing countries in particular with tools that will facilitate the implementation of their obligations under international human rights law and international environmental law.”

Environmental Impact Assessments | Impact assessments were mentioned in various discussions happening at the Council in the past two weeks. The Geneva Rights and Environment Talk “Towards Effective Environmental, Social, and Human Rights Impact Assessments” built on the UN Special Rapporteur’s report to the UN General Assembly (A/80/187) that clarifies States’ obligations regarding environmental impact assessment processes and the need to include human rights and social impacts for comprehensive and integrated assessments, and underscored the importance of a human rights-based approach in impact assessments of projects tackling the triple planetary crisis, as it places those in vulnerable situations at the forefront of analyses.

Civic Space and Participation | Civic space and participation also remain high on the agenda of the Council this week:

  • Following a report by the International Commission of Jurists and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Geneva Office on “Safeguarding Civil Society Space at the United Nations – A Crucial Element in Human Rights Promotion and Protection“, an HRC61 side event will focus on the vital contribution of CSOs and Indigenous Peoples to the UN human rights system and why it matters to safeguard their space in the context of reforms, crises, and civil society participation increasingly under strain. The event also comes in light of the letter submitted by various civil society organizations from Geneva and beyond underscoring the importance of maintaining hybrid participation during informal consultations on resolutions throughout 2026. → Join the discussion on 17 March, from 14:00 to 15:00 CET at Palais des Nations, Room XI and online via Webex.
  • The International Service for Human Rights is organizing the webinar, “UN80 Initiative: Implications of the UN reform for national and regional human rights NGOs“, which will explain what the reform process means and how it may affect NGOs and human rights defenders engaging with UN human rights mechanisms. → Join the webinar sessions on 24 March, 15:00 – 17:00 CET (for Americas and Africa) or on 26 March, 9:00 – 11:00 CET (for Europe and Asia).
  • Upcoming deadlines for calls for submissions on civil society participation are also fast approaching:
    • The OHCHR Online Survey on “Civil Society Space” for a thematic report focused on “practical recommendations for the creation and maintenance of a safe and enabling environment for civil society, based on good practices and lessons learned” is closing on 20 March 2026, at 18:00 CET.
    • The call for submissions for the OHCHR report on equal participation in political and public affairs, focused on good practices and challenges that States face when using the guidelines on the effective implementation of the right to participate in public affairs, including in international organizations is closing on 27 March 2026.

Other events of particular interest this week include:

→ Consult regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC61, side events, and further resources available on our dedicated HRC61 and the environment update.

Other upcoming deadlines on human rights and the environment include

  • Food, human rights and climate: Questionnaire for young people | The UN Special Rapporteur on climate change, Elisa Morgera, is seeking views and ideas from young people for the preparation of her report on food, human rights and climate. The questionnaire is designed for young people up to age 25 to answer. A questionnaire for children under age 18 is available here. → The deadline for submission is 16 March 2026.
  • Country Visit to Australia | The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert K. Barume, is seeking information in preparation of his upcoming country visit to Australia scheduled to take place from 2 to 13 November 2026. → The deadline for submission is 20 March 2026.
  • Planning and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment | In her upcoming thematic report to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Astrid Puentes Riaño, aims to help States advance on the understanding of planning tools and processes, and how these can enable management of the environment, both related to land and marine ecosystems. → The deadline for submission is 30 March 2026
  • Find a selection of additional call for submissions for Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies, Subsidiary Bodies and Office of the High Commissioner in our dedicated update

Other relevant news include:

Celebrating Forests and Economies

Observed on 21 March, the International Day of Forests is an occasion to celebrate the vital ecological, cultural, and economic roles of forests. More than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for subsistence, income or employment. The 2026 theme, ‘Forests and Economies,’ underscores how forests drive prosperity — not only through renewable products and jobs, but also by sustaining Indigenous Peoples’ heritage, supporting agriculture, and protecting watersheds. This year’s edition also underscores the essential role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, whose traditional knowledge and stewardship sustain forest ecosystems. Their contributions are central to achieving the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls for protecting their rights, ensuring their participation, and integrating their knowledge into forest and bioeconomy strategies. It is also important to note that, despite their central role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Forest Goals, financing for sustainable forest management remains far below what is required to halt deforestation and restore degraded landscapes. The first State of Finance for Forests (SFF) report: Unlock. Unleash. Realizing forest potential requires tripling investments in forests by 2030, issued by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in October 2025, provides a global overview of public and private forest finance.

To celebrate, various events will take place in Geneva and beyond:

  • The high-level global event convened by FAO to celebrate the International Day of Forests and World Water Day 2026 will take place on 19 March 2026 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy and online from 11:00 to 12:40 CET. The event will explore the vital linkages between forests and water and their importance for healthy economies and gender equality.
  • UNECE will host its annual celebration of International Day of Forests with an online event “Grown by Nature: A 360° online journey from trees to skyscrapers” on 23 March 2026, from 14:00–16:00 CET on Teams. From sustainable buildings to bio‑based textiles and cutting‑edge materials, this online event will showcase how forest resources can be transformed into climate‑smart solutions, while forests continue to grow and expand.
  • The United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, in collaboration with FAO, will host a panel discussion at the UN Headquarters on 24 March 2026, to explore how valuation, governance and finance can better reflect forests’ full economic, social and environmental contributions. The event will be livestreamed on UN Web TV.
  • Learn more about the Importance of Forests and the Role of Geneva

Additional news on forests include:

Spotlight on World Day for Glaciers

World Day for Glaciers, observed on 21 March, was proclaimed by the United Nations to raise global awareness of the importance of glaciers and the urgent need to protect them. The Day provides a global platform to communicate the role glaciers play in the Earth’s climate system, freshwater availability, ecosystems, and human livelihoods. To mark the day:

Additional news include:

Celebrating World Water Day

World Water Day, observed annually on 22 March, raises global awareness of freshwater and sanitation challenges. The 2026 theme, ‘Water and Gender’, emphasizes safe drinking water and sanitation as fundamental human rights and critical enablers of gender equality, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 5. As World Water Day 2026 serves as an occasion to explore the critical relationship between water, women, and gender equality, it is important to remind the unequal impacts of the global water crisis, which require a transformative, rights-based approach where women’s voices, leadership and agency are fully recognized.

This week, various events will discuss the status of water resources, access to these, as well as governance issues, including:

Next week, Prof. Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH and lead author of the report Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post-Crisis Era, and co-author of the recent Nature Water article Water scientists must become agenda-setters, will be in Geneva. Events where he will be present include:

Environmental Impacts of the War in the Middle East

While the war continues across the Middle East, with impacts growing far beyond the region, UN agencies are expanding humanitarian relief efforts as displacement rises and civilian needs grow. Millions across the region face growing risks from disrupted health services, overcrowded shelters and strained aid operations. The escalating violence is also driving widespread environmental damage, as documented by multiple stakeholders. UNEP and others have echoed the UN Secretary-General’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, essential to halt the destruction and allow the people – and the environment – of the region to begin the long process of recovery. Read more at:

Advancing Biodiversity Action

In the lead-up to the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17), convening in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026, and other important biodiversity negotiations, various events are taking place in Geneva and beyond:

Additional news include:

Updates on Minerals and Metals

The sustainability of activities related to minerals and metals continues to be at the center of governments’ and international bodies’ attention.

Recent reports and news include:

Call for Submissions, Awards and Contests | Upcoming Deadlines

With the environment high on the agenda of International Geneva and beyond, international processes, negotiations, and fora regularly issue calls for inputs in preparation of future reports, in support of ongoing processes, for awarding who champion for our planet, or for registering to attend upcoming sessions. A dedicated update lists calls for submissions related to the environment. Additional updates list those related to Human Rights Mechanisms, ongoing contests and environmental awards and prizes. Upcoming deadlines not to be missed in the coming weeks include:

  • Prix IDDEA 2026 | Prix IDDEA supports project makers in the development of sustainable and innovative business projects. Proposed ideas must be economically viable and socially and ecologically useful. → The deadline for subscription is 17 March 2026.
  • Digital Cleanup Day and Digital Detox | On the occasion of Digital Cleanup Day and Digital Detox, participate from 9 to 20 March 2026 by deleting 100 MB of data (10 large emails, files, photos, or videos). Together, let’s save 100,000 kg/CO2. Learn more about how to participate.
  • UNEP Young Champions on the Earth | Launched in 2017, the UNEP Young Champions on the Earth Award is the UNEP flagship youth engagement initiative. The award is given annually to ambitious young people from around the world with outstanding ideas to protect and restore the environment, and since 2024 it has been implemented with the support of Chris Kemper and in partnership with Planet A. → The application deadline for the 2026 awards is 31 March 2026.
  • WIPO Global Awards | The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Awards recognize exceptional startups and SMEs from all sectors who use Intellectual Property (IP) to drive business growth and societal impact. The WIPO Global Awards Program grants 10 awards in 5 categories: health, environment, creative industries, food and agriculture and ICT. They also give 2 special mentions to the best woman entrepreneur and best youth entrepreneur. → The application deadline for the 2026 awards is 31 March 2026. The winners will be announced in July 2026 during the WIPO General Assemblies.
  • ECCP Fund: Proposal Submission | The purpose of the ECCP Community Fund is to provide financial support to specific projects within the Community of Practice initiated by community members. The projects supported by the fund should align with the mission of the ECCP: learning, connecting, and taking action together. For more information on the ECCP Community Fund, including selection criteria, please visit the website. → The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026.
  • Chemistry Travel Award 2026 | The SCNAT and the Swiss Chemical Society are offering a travel grant to applicants doing their PhD at a Swiss institution to actively present at an international conference. → The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026.
  • UNEP Champions of the Earth Award | The Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honor and celebrates individuals and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. In 2026, the award focuses on Ocean Health. UNEP is seeking nominations of individuals and organizations whose work delivers solutions to restore marine and coastal ecosystems, reduce climate risks, and create sustainable livelihoods. → Nominations can be submitted via this form by 15 April 2026 
  • 2026 Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) Baseline Data Collection Survey | The Global Framework on Chemicals measures its progress under the Framework through a measurability structure comprising different types of indicators. To collect baseline data for a selected set of draft indicators currently being considered by the intersessional Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on measurability and indicators, a survey has been developed by the GFC Secretariat. Information collected from multiple stakeholders through this survey will support tracking progress toward achieving the targets and strategic objectives of the Framework. → This survey will be open until 24 April 2026.

Happening Abroad | ISA31

The 1st Part of the 31st Annual Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA31) continues this week in Kingston, Jamaica and is expected to conclude on 19 March 2026. In the first week, ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho presented to the ISA Council the Further Revised Consolidated Text of the Draft Regulations on Exploitation of Mineral Resources in the Area (ISBA/31/C/CRP.1/Rev.2), which most members welcomed as a useful basis for discussions. Council members have discussed Regional Environmental Management Plans, draft rules on environmental management and monitoring for deep-sea mining, the financial system for exploitation activities as well as benefit-sharing. → Follow the live coverage of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin

Related news:

Enjoying a Green Winter-Spring Transition in Geneva

Winter is officially ending this week, with Friday 20 March marking the start of the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, while in Geneva, the arrival of spring was officially announced on 5 March, following the hatching of the first leaf of a chestnut tree on Promenade de la Treille, a tradition that started back in 1818. To celebrate the end of the winter, various Geneva neighborhoods celebrate by burning dolls in its effigy with the Fête du Bonhomme Hiver. → Discover other spring activities taking place around Geneva in our Green Spring update. Suggestions for this week include:

  • Sustainability Week | 16-20 March 2026 | Geneva Graduate Institute
    Each year, as part of the Swiss Sustainability Week, the Environmental Committee at The Graduate Institute brings sustainability to the forefront through a week-long series of impactful events. 
  • International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 Photo Exhibition | 16-23 March 2026 | Palais des Nations
    The FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, together with Ireland, Jordan, FOAG, and UNOG celebrated the IYWF with a dedicated Photo Exhibition, celebrating women’s vital contributions to agrifood systems, food security, and climate resilience, with a special focus on women in pastoral and rangeland communities. 
  • Festival du Film Vert | Until 1 April 2026 | Various Locations
     Founded in 2006, the Green Film Festival is the documentary festival in French-speaking Switzerland dedicated to ecology and the environment. The Opening night of the Geneva chapter takes places on 17 March 2026 at Cinéma Scala, and will feature and introduction by Geneva’s mayor Alfonso Gomez and the projection of the film “Eclaireurs”.
  • L’herbier de Jean-Jacques Rousseau | 18 March 2026 | Botanical Garden of Geneva
    As part of the exhibition dedicated to this herbarium, come and discover the story of this unique work, made over 200 years ago and preserved at the Geneva Botanical Garden.
  • Table Ronde autour de l’exposition REZ:URGENCE Avec Dominique Bourg, Philippe Roch | 18 March 2026 | Centre Culturel du Manoir Cologny
    As part of the exhibition Rez:urgence, artist Iris Leroyer invites thinkers and practitioners engaged in environmental and artistic issues to discuss the question: How can we create, think, and inhabit the world at the “ground level of emergencies”? Participants: Philippe Roch, former Swiss State Secretary for the Environment, Dominique Bourg, philosopher, Emeritus Professor at UNIL, environmental specialist, Frédéric Elkaim, art advisor and Iris Leroyer, artist. 
  • Projection du documentaire “Le Goût des choses” | 18 March 2026 | Palais de l’Athénée 
    For the past three years, Pierre-Gilles and Antoine have farmed Praz Bonjour, above Vevey, growing vegetables entirely naturally. Their work faces constant challenges: weather, pests, diseases, financial pressure; and in 2023, major roadworks added access and noise issues. Their commitment is a daily struggle for resilient, local, and sustainable farming in an increasingly tough environment. 
  • Salon du Livre | 18-22 March 2026 | Palexpo 
    The Geneva Book Fair is a five-day celebration of reading, bringing together readers, authors, publishers, and booksellers. It offers diverse programs, debates, signings, and exhibitions, highlighting Swiss and international voices, francophone literature, and a wide variety of genres in a lively, inclusive, and inspiring setting. 
  • Seniors, s’informer ou se former | (Re)Découvrons la nature ensemble – Conference: Les fleurs et plantes sauvages comestibles du printemps: découverte et dégustation | 19 March 2026 | Cité Seniors
    Join biologist and naturalist David McCrae for a lecture on edible spring flowers and wild plants. This event is part of Cité Seniors’ seasonal activities. 
  • Conference “Mieux utiliser le numérique pour moins impacter la planète” – Permanence Numerique Rive Gauche | 19 March 2026 | Espace Ville de Genève 
    As part of the Permanences numériques, the City of Geneva and OSEO Genève are hosting a free, no-registration conference on responsible digital practices at the Espace Ville de Genève, La Terrassière. Scheduled a day before Geneva’s D-Tox numérique day, the session will explore the environmental impacts of our digital habits and tools, and offer simple steps to manage and reduce your data footprint. 
  • Atelier « Wool & Wine » – Swiss Woolness Wellness | 19 March 2026 | Espace Léman ASL 
    Swiss Woolness Wellness, in partnership with ASL – Association pour la Sauvegarde du Léman, launches “Wool & Wine” workshops: sensory experiences blending creativity, wellness, and social connection. 
  • Gardien de la forêt– Brésil, replanter l’Amazonie | 19 March 2026 | Bibliothèque de la Cité 
    After the screening, Claire Eggermont will share how “the spirit of the forest” awakened in her, inspiring her book “Guardians of the Forest – The Call of Indigenous Peoples”, and reflect on how the forest invites us to reconnect with nature, expand our awareness, and reawaken our capacity to dream, feel, and embrace all living beings in the face of today’s global challenges. 
  • Economie Régénératrice : repenser la valeur dans un monde sous contrainte | 19 March 2026 | Maison de l’Avenir 
    A participatory and stimulating conference to examine what the economy gives back (or fails to give back!) to the essential resources -human, social, and ecological – that make it possible. 
  • Origines et mythes liés au nom des arbres et des plantes | 20 March 2026 | Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques
    Dive into the heart of plant legends! A guided tour where myths, etymologies, and the secrets of plants and trees reveal their hidden stories. A journey between nature and poetry. This guided tour invites both children and adults to look up, listen closely, and step into a world where botany, etymology, and mythology come together.
  • La nature à vélo ! | 21 March 2026 | Départ de Chêne-Bourg
    Accompanied by a passionate cyclist, the group will depart from Chêne-Bourg for a leisurely ride to the Sionnet marsh, where you will discover this exceptional natural site and its rich ecosystem. Throughout the ride, the central theme will be the restoration of waterways: how rivers are being restored to a more natural state, and why this is important for wildlife, plants, and for us.
  • Fête de la première feuille sur le thème « vert et jaune » | 21 March 2026 | Promenade de la Treille
    Join the Promenade de la Treille to celebrate the arrival of spring together! This year’s theme is “green and yellow”. Festivities will kick-off with the traditional children’s parade. Various speeches, songs, activities, and two concerts will follow and there will be several food stalls offered by local associations and the Saint-Antoine school. 
  • Missions semis : fais pousser tes plantes | 21 March 2026 | Centre Nature de la Pointe à la Bise 
    Spend an afternoon preparing your seedlings, which you can then plant on your balcony or in your vegetable garden. That way, you and your family will enjoy beautiful and delicious vegetables this summer! 
  • Marché des artistes, des créatrices et des créateurs | 21 & 22 March 2026 | Usine Kugler 
    To mark the return of spring and the “Ateliers Portes Ouvertes”, the Kugler Foundry is hosting a market dedicated to independent creation. For two days, come and discover a selection of over 50 artists artists and creators offering paintings, engravings, jewelry and much more.
  • Archéeoptéryx et ses descendants, comment les dinos sont devenus des oiseaux | 22 March 2026 | Musée d’histoire des sciences
    Feathered dinosaur or toothed bird, Archaeopteryx is a bit of both. Becoming the world’s most famous fossil is no accident! The first specimen found, now housed in the Natural History Museum in London, was discovered in Bavaria in 1861, just two years before the publication of Charles Darwin’s *On the Origin of Species*. 
  • Nage de Nuit | Until 25 March | Bains des Pâquis
    Come and share the pleasure of swimming in cold water at night, in an atmosphere like no other! Les Bains offers food and drink to warm you up, and lifeguards are on hand to help. 
  • Libre comme le Rhône – de Robert Hainard | Until 29 March 2026 | Quartier Libre The exhibition invites visitors to travel back in time along the river, from the last wild landscapes before the major developments of the Rhône to the major energy decisions taken during the 20th century, right up to the emergence of environmental awareness. 
  • 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 | Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques
    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?

  • Copernicus: Exceptionally wet conditions in western Europe, during fifth-warmest February globally | Copernicus Climate Change Service/ECMWF | 10 March 2026
    The effects of climate change continue to manifest through extreme weather and anomalous temperatures across the world. The Copernicus Climate Change Service/ECMWF reported anomalies and extremes in the number of ‘wet days’ (days with at least 1 mm of precipitation) from 1 January to 20 February 2026. February 2026 was the fifth warmest on record, at 1.49°C above pre-industrial levels, with extreme rainfall and widespread flooding in western Europe and the third-lowest sea ice extent in the Arctic for this month. Next week, on 23 March 2026, WMO will release the State of Global Climate 2025 following a presentation on 19 March 2026 at the Palais des Nations.
  • G7 Future of the Sea and Ocean Initiative Sets Priorities for 2026 | Arctic Portal | 11 March 2026
    The G7 Future of the Sea and Ocean Initiative (FSOI) Working Group remains a key forum for coordinating shared priorities and activities among G7 countries and the European Union to support a sustained global system of ocean observations, data, and information. For 2026, the French Presidency has identified several high-priority areas, including OneArgo, resilience of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, and the development of a Digital Twin Ocean.
  • Lessons Learned from the BRS Conventions Synergies Process, Which Could Be Applied to the UNEP-Administered and Extended to Selected Other Biodiversity Conventions’ | Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future | 10 March 2026
    This paper addresses all three and builds on the work initiated by former UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer on clustering Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). This work was continued by his successor Achim Steiner as member states engaged in a process for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, culminating in a joint set of recommendations/ decisions that effectively realised “synergies”. 
  • Global Disparities in the Regulation of PFASs: The Risk of Shifting the PFAS Pollution Burden to Developing Countries | Brij Mohan Sharma, Ian T. Cousins, Hans Peter H. Arp, and Martin Scheringer | ACS Publications | 10 March 2026
    The paper explores challenges arising from global disparities in the regulation of PFASs and other chemicals, along with their repercussions. It proposes the solutions to bridge the regulatory gaps, including broad, worldwide PFAS bans and regulations, increased funding for PFAS monitoring and emissions reduction, and joint initiatives with developed countries. These efforts would ensure that PFAS management extends beyond the developed world to countries with high economic aspirations and limited resources to address chemical pollution.
  • Finalist News Highlights – Big Money, Bold Bans and Record-breaking Results | The Earthshot Prize | 10 March 2026
    From news of a transformational $1 billion being unlocked for ocean conservation to a ban on climate-damaging advertisements in public places and a record-breaking carbon credit project, our Finalists are creating genuine real-world impact.

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