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Newsletter 18 May 2026

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 18 – 31 May 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.

Due to the Whit Monday and the Eid al-Adha holidays in Geneva, this edition of the newsletter exceptionally covers a two-week period.

Image of the week | Authors pose for a photo after the launch of the UNEP report Sand and Sustainability: An Essential Resource for Nature and Development, the third of the series of reports that underscore sand’s strategic value, showing that sand has a highly under-recognised but key value for nature, ecosystem services and our livelihoods. | Palais des Nations, 13 May 2026.

Road to the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals

The multilateral system plays a central role in implementing the global agreements that set common goals and targets to tackle the triple planetary crisis, including the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC), adopted in Bonn in September 2023 and supported by a Secretariat hosted in Geneva. The Framework presents a comprehensive plan with five strategic objectives and 28 targets to guide countries and stakeholders in jointly addressing the life cycle of chemicals, including products and waste, for a future in which humanity benefits from chemicals in a safe and sustainable manner, while avoiding their negative impacts. This unique multi-stakeholder agreement brings in a variety of sectors, including representatives from governments, the private sector, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, youth and academia. It is supported by the Bonn Declaration, a high-level declaration also agreed at ICCM5 in Bonn, Germany.

Ahead of the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals, to be held from 16 to 20 November 2026 in Geneva, a series of events in preparation for the conference will kick off on 19 May 2026 with a first session that will offer preliminary insights into the conference agenda, partnership opportunities, and the registration process, helping participants prepare for meaningful engagement in the upcoming International Conference, with a spotlight on progress in developing indicators under the measurability framework. → Register to join the event in person at the International Environment House I on 19 May 2026 from 14:00 – 15:30 CEST, or online via Webex.

Last week, the UNEP Special Programme on Institutional Strengthening for Chemicals and Waste, established to facilitate and enable the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions and the Global Framework on Chemicals, launched its Ninth Round of Applications. The Special Programme provides funding for institutional strengthening for the sound management of chemicals and waste, by providing funding to developing countries, taking into account the needs of least developed countries and small island developing states, and for countries with economies in transition. An online information session will take place on 21 May 2026. → Register to attend on 21 May 2026 from 14:00 CEST

Celebrating Biodiversity Day | Leveraging Local and Global Action for Nature Towards the UN Biodiversity Conference COP17

The 2026 edition of the International Day for Biological Diversity – celebrated every year on 22 May, commemorating the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992 – will focus on “Acting locally for global impact”. In the lead-up to the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) – to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, under the theme of “Taking Action for Nature” – this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity campaign will help connect local initiatives with the 23 global targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), focusing the world’s attention on the importance of applying the whole-of-society approach adopted within the Framework.

To mark the day, the Geneva Environment Network and its partners are organizing the annual Geneva Celebration to showcase the role of Geneva in leveraging local and global action for nature. In preparation for the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference, leading experts from key Geneva-based UN institutions and processes will update on preparations for this major milestone. They will also reflect on the need for inclusive, participatory and impactful whole-of-society action for nature, including through local mobilization. The event will offer a forward-looking perspective on the priorities, vision and expected outcomes of the Conference, including through a dedicated high-level intervention by H.E. Ambassador Mher MARGARYAN, Special Envoy for the Armenian Presidency of COP17, outlining ongoing preparatory efforts and key directions toward Yerevan. → Register on Eventbrite to participate in person on 22 May 2026 at the International Environment House II from 09:00 CEST. The event will be preceded by a light breakfast and networking opportunity.

Numerous other events organized as part of the 15th edition of the Nature Festival (Fête de la Nature 2026) are taking place from 20 to 25 May 2026. This year’s theme, “An Eye on Nature” is an invitation to slow down and observe our surroundings more closely. It encourages us to protect the natural world, remain attentive to fragile ecosystems, and reflect on our practices and their impact on the environment. → Consult our International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 dedicated page to discover more activities taking place around Geneva to celebrate Biodiversity.

Environment @ 79th World Health Assembly

The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly — the decision-making body of the World Health Organization that meets annually in Geneva — starts on 18 May 2026, bringing together delegations from WHO Member States to set global health policy and advance the Organization’s strategic priorities, and is expected to conclude on 23 May 2026. The Assembly takes place while the recently released World Health Statistics 2026 report found that global progress towards the health and health-related SDGs remains uneven and too slow to meet the 2030 targets, with fewer than 5 years remaining. Many drivers of ill health, including environmental risks, are not improving fast enough. Air pollution contributed to an estimated 6.6 million deaths worldwide in 2021, while inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene contributed to 1.4 million deaths in 2019. → Follow the discussions through the livestream.

With a packed agenda to advance action on key health issues, the environmental dimension will be discussed in items related to the WHO Pandemic Agreement, antimicrobial resistance, the health of Indigenous Peoples, and climate and health, building on the momentum of WHA78, which adopted the Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health, an updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution, and the elevation of climate change as the first strategic objective of WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14, 2025–2028). During WHA79, WHO is planning to launch the Global plan for communications, advocacy and partnerships for climate change and health, designed to support the WHA77 resolution and sustain momentum through COP31 and beyond.

Numerous official WHA79 side events and parallel events, as well as annual forums, gatherings and other activities organized in the margins of WHA79, will be addressing climate, air pollution, energy and other topics related to the environment:

  • Over 25 events at WHA79 will address environmental-related issues. → Consult our 79th World Health Assembly dedicated page for a list of side and parallel events relevant to the environment.
  • Geneva Health Week 2026 | 17 – 20 May 2026 | Maison de la Paix
  • Geneva Health Forum at WHA79 | 18 – 22 May 2026 | Campus Biotech
    The Geneva Health Forum will host nine events to amplify the voices of scientists and civil society actors on key global health priorities, including those related to the environment. → Find a list of environmental-related events.
  • Health Diplomacy House | 21 May 2026 | Résidence Rothschild, Rue Rothschild 28
    Convened by the Health Diplomacy Alliance, the Health Diplomacy House will feature multiple sessions and dialogues covering topics such as One Health, antimicrobial resistance, women’s leadership, health economics, pandemic preparedness, climate and health, health financing, and global health governance and reform. → Find a list of environmental-related events.

The Geneva Environment Network and partners will be present with a session looking at Plastics & Health: What we’re not talking about. This event will feature Lightning Talks – five-minute presentations (PechaKucha format) – by diplomats, scientists, policymakers, and other experts. These talks will highlight why it is essential to communicate more clearly, consistently, and effectively about the health impacts of plastic pollution, and why health must be placed at the centre of global action on plastics. → Register to attend in person on 21 May 2026 from 12:30 CEST.

Pathway to the Plastics Treaty | Activities Towards INC-5.4

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 second edition of the Chair’s Informal Webinars with Observers will take place on 19 May 2026, in two sessions in different time zones to facilitate participation: Session 1, from 9:00-10:00 CEST and Session 2 from 17:00-18:00 CEST.
  • The INC Bureau will meet for its monthly online meeting on 25 May 2026 and is expected to discuss updates on the implementation of the Chair’s Roadmap and next steps to INC-5.4, among other matters. At the previous Bureau Meeting, held on 23 April 2026, the Chair informed the Bureau that, taking into account all necessary factors, INC-5.4 could be held within the window of 13 to 24 March 2027.
  • 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 and Thursday 4 June 2026. Delegations are kindly requested to register here to attend the meeting no later than Friday, 29 May 2026
  • The Chair’s summary of the second informal virtual meeting of Heads of Delegation to the INC, held on 30 April 2026, was released on 12 May. Discussions focused on clarifying the scope of the future plastics treaty and ensuring complementarity with existing international agreements. While views diverged on whether scope should be defined through a standalone article, embedded provisions, or guided by UNEA Resolution 5/14, there was broad agreement on the need for clarity, flexibility, and consideration of national circumstances. Members also emphasized the importance of avoiding duplication and conflicts with other frameworks, promoting synergies with existing multilateral environmental agreements, and addressing gaps in global governance, while preserving the autonomy of current regimes.

Recent articles and information from engaged stakeholders include:

Parallel discussions and continuous support towards ending plastic pollution continue among experts. This week, the UNEP-convened Global Plastics Hub will host a webinar on the Global Plastics Hub Country Dashboard – Its Potential for Evidence-based Policy Making that will walk through the plastics data currently available on the Global Plastics Hub, focusing on what the country dashboards show today, how the information can be used in practice, and where important data gaps still exist. → Register on Zoom to attend the session taking place on 20 May 2026 from 14:00 – 15:00 CEST.

Addressing Sea-Level Rise | Strengthening Resilience and Multilateral Action for Coastal States and SIDS

Rising sea levels are increasingly recognized as one of the most far-reaching consequences of climate change. For many coastal countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), sea-level rise is not a distant risk but a present reality. Beyond its environmental dimension, it raises profound challenges for sustainable development, economic resilience and the enjoyment of human rights, particularly for communities whose livelihoods, cultures and economies are closely tied to the ocean. Addressing these challenges requires broad political consensus around the strengthening of efforts to protect marine ecosystems while advancing sustainable blue economy approaches that support resilience and long-term development prospects.

In 2024, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) decided in its decision 78/558 of 1 August 2024 to hold a one-day high-level plenary meeting during its 81st session to further consider sea level rise. The goal of the meeting is to strengthen international cooperation and collective action to address sea level rise and to support developing countries, particularly climate-vulnerable ones, as well as coastal communities in building resilience and adapting to its consequences. The meeting’s expected outcome is a concise, action-oriented intergovernmentally negotiated declaration, agreed by consensus. In preparation for this process, the Summary Report of the global online stakeholder consultation for the Sea Level Rise Declaration held last month is now available. The consultation gathered inputs from stakeholders, including practical recommendations, experiences, and priorities related to addressing the risks and impacts associated with sea level rise. The contributions are expected to inform the intergovernmental consultations on the declaration, led by Australia and Cabo Verde.

The Permanent Representation of Portugal is convening an event “Life Below Water – SDG 14: Challenges Faced by Coastal Countries and Small Island Developing States” to provide a platform for an open and forward-looking discussion among Member States on the pressing challenges faced by coastal countries and SIDS, and on how multilateral cooperation can devise a comprehensive approach to their different dimensions, including the integration of the protection of marine ecosystems, strengthen coastal resilience and promote sustainable blue economy pathways. In this context, the event will also contribute to strengthening multilateral dialogue ahead of upcoming global discussions on ocean governance and climate resilience. → Register to join the event in-person at Palais des Nations, Room VIII on 27 May 2026, from 11:00 to 13:00 CEST.

→ As a multilateral hub where discussions on human rights, sustainable development, trade, science and environmental governance converge, learn more in our dedicated update about how Geneva offers a unique multilateral space to address sea-level rise.

World Bee Day 2026 | Bee Together for People and The Planet

World Bee Day, celebrated each year on 20 May to raise awareness of the importance of bees as pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, is observed this year under the theme “Bee together for people and the planet. A partnership that sustains us all”.

To celebrate bees role to sustain biodiversity and livelihoods, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Permanent Missions of Slovenia, Switzerland, Ethiopia and Mexico to the United Nations in Geneva, and the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), with the support of the World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action Initiative and the Geneva Environment Network, are organizing a special in-person celebration of World Bee Day. The event will highlight the strong and enduring relationship between people and pollinators, featuring inspiring beekeeping stories, expert insights, and engaging demonstrations by local beekeepers, showcasing the important roles, skills, and contributions of bees. → Register to join the celebration on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, from 11:30 to 13:00 CEST at Palais des Nations, Building H Auditorium.

Advancing the Human Rights and Environment Agenda

Preparing for the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council

The 62nd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC62) is scheduled to take place in Geneva from 15 June to 10 July 2026. With the environment high on the agenda at this session of the Council, core themes of this session include:

  • The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting to the Council a report that synthesises and analyses a varied body of evidence of the actual and potential contributions of transforming food systems to climate change mitigation, adaptation, prevention and responses to loss and damage, and human rights protection, taking an integrated approach to land- and ocean-based food systems.
  • The annual panel discussion on climate change and human rights will focus on facilitating actionable pathways for gaining momentum in climate financing in the context of addressing the adverse impacts of climate change on the full realization of human rights for all people, and ways forward to address the challenges thereto, as well as on best practices and lessons learned.
  • The Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises (also referred to as the Working Group on Business and Human Rights) are presenting two reports to the Council in this session:
    • A report, “Agri-business, food security and human rights”, that aims to identify progress made, and challenges that remain, in advancing rights-based food systems that address food fraud, while advancing food security. The report will also analyse the role of business enterprises in the agri-business and FMCG value chains to integrate human rights in all aspects of food production, processing, distribution, packaging and labelling, in alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
    • A thematic study, “Indigenous Peoples Free, Prior and Informed Consent, Business and Human Rights” to help States and businesses—including investors—understand and fulfill their obligations and responsibilities related to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), in accordance with international human rights law and standards, including the UNGPs.
  • The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, will be presenting to the Council the 18-month project to develop a Roadmap for eradicating poverty beyond growth, advocating for a shift to a human rights economy ‒ an economic system that places the well-being of people and the planet at the heart of economic policies, investment decisions, consumer choices, and business models, with the aim of advancing the effective realization of human rights for everyone.

→ Regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC62, side events, and further resources are available on our dedicated HRC62 and the environment update.

To strengthen coordination among stakeholders and enhance outreach on the environmental agenda of HRC62, the Geneva Environment Network and its partners are convening an information-sharing session focused on activities and events related to the environment. This event will provide a platform to discuss and share information on planned environment-related activities at and around HRC62, such as in-person and online events, publications or exhibitions, among others, and exchange on opportunities for synergies and collaboration. Insights gathered during the session will feed the GEN page on HRC62 which will serve as a central hub offering an up‑to‑date calendar of all environment‑related activities of HRC62. → Register to participate in-person at the International Environment House I or online via Webex on Thursday, 28 May 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 CEST. Share as well information on your activity!

Working Group on the Right to Development

The Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development will hold its 27th session at Palais des Nations, Room Tempus, from 18 to 21 May 2026. At this session, the Working Group will continue to monitor and review progress made in the promotion and implementation of the right to development, through various interactive dialogues aimed at addressing divergent views on the right to development expressed in the Working Group.

A dialogue on “Climate justice and the rights to development and to a healthy environment” is taking place on 21 May 2026, from 10:00 to 13:00 CEST. The dialogue aims to share challenges, good practices and lessons learned in realizing the right to development in a climate constrained environment, and to identify practical recommendations for strengthening international cooperation and solidarity with a view to addressing the negative impacts of climate change and aiming towards a just transition, mitigation and adaptation, in particular for people in developing countries and marginalized communities.

Consultations on the Common Approach to Implementing the Right to Healthy Environment

The UN Environment Management Group‘s (EMG) Issue Management Group on Human Rights and the Environment (IMG), is a coordination mechanism for UN agencies, tasked with supporting a more coherent, consistent and rights-based approach by the UN system to human rights and environmental matters. Established in 2020 and led jointly by OHCHR, UNEP and UNDP, the IMG aims to further integrate the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment into the work of the UN at the national, regional, and global level. As such, the IMG is currently preparing a Common Approach for UN agencies on the Implementation of the Right to A Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment in international, regional and national programming.

In line with this initiative, the IMG members, with the support of the Geneva Environment Network, are holding consultations with Member States and civil society representatives to give an initial presentation about the development process for the Common Approach and seek preliminary interest and suggestions to feed into its preparation. Specifically, the IMG would welcome views on how the Right to Healthy Environment could be more effectively streamlined in practical terms into UN agency programming and outcomes.
→ Join the consultation exclusively open for Member States at the International Environment House and online on 29 May 2026, from 9:00 to 10:30 CEST. Register on Indico to attend in-person or online. The consultations for civil society will be taking place on 10 June.

Water for Sustainable Development

The Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028, is taking place from 25 to 28 May 2026 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The Conference is held within the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process, an initiative of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan aimed at supporting the implementation of the objectives of the International Decade for Action, through conferences convened every two years and co-chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

The Conference serves as a key preparatory meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference, to be held in December 2026. It aims to mobilise collective efforts, support the implementation of voluntary commitments registered in the Water Action Agenda of the UN Water Conference, and foster new partnerships to accelerate actions towards achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With water at the centre of numerous governmental processes and initiatives led from Geneva, experts from the region will be in Tajikistan to support a successful outcome of the Conference. → Read more on The Water Cycle and the Role of Geneva.

Additional news on water include:

Countdown to World Environment Day | Climate Action in the Lead-Up to COP31 and Global Climate Milestones

The countdown for World Environment Day has kicked off, with less than a month to go ahead of the biggest annual rallying moment for communities across the globe to implement and advocate for lasting solutions to protect our planet. The 2026 edition focuses on climate change — on the urgent signals the Earth is sending and the signals we choose to send back. The global campaign calls on all of us to step in #NowForClimate, and steer a world already in motion.

Each year, World Environment Day is hosted by a different country, in which official celebrations take place. The host country for 2026 is Azerbaijan. In line with the official Celebration hosted in Azerbaijan, the Geneva celebration will focus on climate action exactly five months before countries meet in Antalya, Türkiye, for the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). The event will highlight how Geneva institutions are advancing collective, cross-sector climate action at a critical moment — marking 10 years since the Paris Agreement — while building momentum from Belém toward Antalya and beyond. Bringing together senior representatives from governments, international organizations, and key global institutions, the programme highlights the need for coordinated, inclusive, and solutions-driven approaches to climate challenges, including on the nine thematic priorities aligned with the Global COP31 Action Agenda the COP31 Presidency wants to spotlight. These include zero waste approaches to support the transition to a circular economy; clean energy to supply sustainable and secure energy for all; industrial decarbonisation to help achieve climate goals and sustainable competitiveness; oceans and seas to protect coastal and marine ecosystems; food security and sustainable agriculture to drive the urgent transformation of our food systems and build a resilient future for our farmers; climate-resilient cities to ensure safe and liveable places for everyone; youth participation to harness the best of their energies and passions; and cross-sectoral action to build synergies across climate change, biodiversity and land degradation. Discussions will emphasise the interconnectedness of climate with health, pollution, human rights, trade, nature, and just transition, alongside the role of the private sector and scalable global solutions. The event also underscores Geneva’s role as a hub for multilateral 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.

To join this year’s Geneva World Environment Day Celebration, save the date for key moments taking place at the International Environment House on the morning of Friday 5 June 2026:

  • World Environment Day Breakfast offered by the host country
  • GENeva World Environment Day Forum showcasing how international Geneva is driving climate action | 9:00-10:15 CEST
  • World Environment Day High-Level Dialogue building momentum towards the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference and other key milestones | 10:15-12:15 CEST
  • Other events taking place in Geneva announced in our dedicated page.
  • → Stay tuned for upcoming information and register to attend in person.

Shaping the Future of Sustainable Minerals Management

The United Nations Environment Programme is inviting Member States and relevant stakeholders to participate in a survey supporting the implementation of the United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 7/3 on strengthening international cooperation for the environmentally sound management of minerals and metals. With a preferred submission deadline of 31 May 2026, the survey aims to gather insights from Member States, researchers, and experts to help shape upcoming international dialogues and webinars on sustainable minerals management — an increasingly critical issue given rising demand for minerals in the energy transition. UNEP is also seeking recommendations for experts to support this work, in collaboration with the International Science Council.

Additional engagement opportunities include:

More Happening Abroad

  • The Thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), convened by UN-Habitat, continues this week in Baku, Azerbaijan, with inputs of many experts from international Geneva. Held under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”, WUF13 will shine a global spotlight on the urgent need to address the global housing crisis and position housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development. → Follow the livestream on UN TV and stay up to date with the Earth Negotiations Bulletin live coverage.
    Environmental aspects of urbanization will be a recurrent theme of the many dialogues and sessions, including as the central topic of one of the high-level dialogues dedicated to “The climate–housing nexus“, to be held on 20 May 2026. The Forum will also be the stage for the launch of various initiatives and processes:

  • The Eighth Global Environment Facility Assembly will take place from 30 May to 6 June in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the 71st GEF Council taking place on the sidelines from 31 May to 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.

Enjoying a Green Spring Long Weekend in Geneva

As many enjoy a long weekend due to the Whit Monday and the Eid al-Adha holidays in Geneva and with celebrations of International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May, multiple outdoor and indoor activities to discover nature and sustainability are taking place in the next two weeks in Geneva:

What (Else) to Read Next?

  • Climate Change Big Player at FIFA World Cup 2026 | World Weather Attribution | 14 May 2026
    While air-conditioned stadiums may reduce heat exposure within match venues, dangerous conditions will remain for public viewing, outdoor gatherings, celebrations, and other forms of social participation associated with major football tournaments. Ensuring that football can continue to be enjoyed safely during northern hemisphere summers, therefore, depends not only on adaptation measures, but also on rapid mitigation efforts to transition away from burning fossil fuels.
  • International Climate Law Needs Teeth | Ralph Regenvanu, Project Syndicate | 13 May 2026
    The law has spoken. The question confronting every state is simple: We know the rule of law applies to climate change, but do you intend to act on it?
  • Combined Short-term Effects of Air Pollutants Linked to 146,500 Premature Deaths per Year in Europe | Barcelona Institute for Global Health | 13 May 2026
    Fine particles (PM₂.₅) were associated with around 79,000 preventable deaths, followed by nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) and coarser particles (PM₂.₅-₁₀, particles with a diameter between 2.5 and 10 micrometres). These are among the findings of a new study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation, in collaboration with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center–Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS), which provides the first Europe-wide estimate of short-term mortality associated with the combined effects of multiple pollutants across 31 European countries. The findings, published in Nature Health, support the development of impact-based early warning systems to help protect the population from the health effects of air pollution.
  • Silk Road Caravan sets out across Eurasia to champion rangelands and pastoralists | UNCCD | 13 May 2026
    Supporting the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the initiative will highlight the vital role of rangelands in sustaining food and water security, climate stability and economic resilience. It will also champion pastoralism as one of the most sustainable, yet underappreciated, livelihoods — especially in drylands, which make up most of the world’s rangelands and are among the most vulnerable to land degradation. 
  • Sand: Wanted dead and alive. Use it wisely, warns the UN | UNEP | 12 May 2026
    The report, launched last week, explores humanity’s dual dependency on sand: we rely on sand for buildings, roads, and the energy transition, while also depending on sand in rivers, coasts, deltas, and oceans to maintain the integrity of landscapes, sustain biodiversity, protect shorelines, regulate water systems, and support livelihoods. This is the central sand dilemma. Once transformed into concrete and infrastructure, sand is removed from natural systems (“dead” sand). Left within functioning ecosystems (“alive” sand), it continues to provide essential ecological and social benefits. While both provide value to society, yet they involve trade-offs. We need to choose wisely.
  • Open letter to EU Commission on EU Fertiliser Action Plan | European Environmental Bureau | 12 May 2026
    Europe is once again facing a fertiliser price shock driven by geopolitical instability and fossil fuel dependence. This open letter to the European Commission, signed by over 70 organisations, explains why the fertiliser crisis is fundamentally a fossil fuel crisis, exposing farmers, food systems, public health, and drinking water to repeated shocks. It also outlines practical solutions already. 
  • Latest Global Forest Goals Report 2026 reveals progress, but not at scale needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 | UNDESA | 11 May 2026
    With less than five years remaining to 2030—and forests, a key driver of climate resilience, livelihoods and food security, under threat— the United Nations today launched The Global Forest Goals Report 2026, calling for forests to remain at the centre of policy and investment decisions. The report provides the most up-to-date global assessment of progress towards implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030 and its six Global Forest Goals. Its release comes at a pivotal moment, as forests are increasingly recognized as central to delivering the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the global climate agenda and biodiversity commitments.
  • Solar Radiation Modification: Scientific evidence does not support SRM as a viable climate solution – Working Paper | UNEP | May 2026
    With major knowledge gaps, no global governance and high uncertainty, UNEP remains concerned about the viability, feasibility and potential risks of SRM, and urges caution, transparency and inclusive discussion of the topic — without diverting focus from urgent mitigation and adaptation. This Working Paper builds on and updates previous work, including UNEP’s One Atmosphere report, drawing on a May 2025 UNEP–World Meteorological Organization workshop, a September 2025 Multistakeholder consultative meeting and recent literature, including the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6).
  • Counting What Counts: A Compass of Progress for People and Planet (2026) | UN | 7 May 2026
    The United Nations proposes new global dashboard to measure progress beyond GDP. The Secretary–General’s High–Level Expert Group sets out a set of indicators to put people and planet at the centre of decision–making.
  • IMO progresses work on ship emissions, pollution and ocean protection | IMO | 1 May 2026
    The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded its 84th session with a commitment to rebuild consensus on global shipping emissions, while sounding the alarm over environmental risks in the Strait of Hormuz and adopting new measures to curb air pollution in the Northeast Atlantic.

Events

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Conference

Health Diplomacy House

21 May 2026

Rue Rothschild 28

Health Diplomacy Alliance

Air Pollution | Climate | Health and Environment | Plastics

SDG3 | SDG11 | SDG13

Jobs

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Updates

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04 May 2026

World Bee Day

Nature

SDG12 | SDG15 | SDG13 | SDG2 | SDG11

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