Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 19 – 25 June 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 Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | Stakeholders discussing tackling future priorities for chemicals and waste issues of concern, in follow-up to a resolution adopted at the last session of the UN Environment Assembly, at the International Environment House, on Thursday 15 June 2023. The discussion highlighted that solutions exist and action is possible with an international governance framework. Stakeholders highlighted the Beyond 2020 instrument as a good opportunity, as well as the important role of the upcoming new science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and pollution prevention, and the future Plastics Treaty. Clear opportunities also include the implementation of existing treaties such as the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, and the support to countries to set up chemicals management systems or national legislation on chemicals management. More engagement from all stakeholders is needed. © Patrick de Pinho, UNEP/GEN.

Environment @ 53rd session of the Human Rights Council

The 53rd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC53) starts this week in Geneva, and will consider various topics related to the environment over four weeks of deliberations. The June session is particularly relevant as the Special Rapporteur on climate change and human rights presents its annual report to the Council, focusing this year on the human rights implications of climate change displacement including the provision of legal protection for people displaced across international borders.

This session will also address other human rights issues that also tackle the environment including Sustainable development and freedom of expression: why voice matters, Advancing accountability for serious human rights violations related to the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and a panel discussion on the Adverse impact of climate change on the full realization of the right to food for all people.

Events of particular interest this week include:

Marking the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders | 20 June 2023 | 16:00 – 17:00 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room XXV | International Service for Human Rights
Advancing Human Rights in Responses to Climate Displacement and Human Mobility: Regional Perspectives | HRC 53 Parallel Event | 20 June 2023 | 13:15 – 14:45 CEST | Rue de Varambé 1 | Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung & Climate, Migration and Displacement Platform
Climate Justice and Human Rights | 21 June 2023 | 11:00 – 12:00 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room XXV | Brussels International Center for Research and Human Rights
Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations | 21 June 2023 | 12:00 – 13:00 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room XXV | CIEL, FIAN International & GIESCR
Interactive Dialogue with SR on right to freedom of opinion and expression | 23 June 2023 | 11:30 – 12:00, 15:00 – 16:30 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room XX & Online

→ Regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC53, side events, and further resources will be made available on our HRC53 and the environment dedicated webpage.

International Trade in Wild and Captive-bred Animals

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Animals Committee will convene in Geneva for its 32nd meeting (CITES AC32) from 19 to 23 June 2023. Issues on the agenda include review under both the Review of Significant Trade Resolution (for the review of wild species which may be subject to unsustainable levels of international trade and recommendations) and the Captive Breeding Resolution (for the review of trade in animal specimens reported as produced in captivity). Members and observers are reviewing emerging operational matters of the committees, alignment between the CITES Strategic Vision 2021-2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, sustainability criteria, known as non-detriment findings (NDFs), and the scientific aspects of the IPBES report on the Assessment of the Sustainable Use of Wild Species. → Learn more about the Meeting on the press release issued on 15 June 2023.

Moving “Slowly” Towards the UN Climate Change Conference

The 2023 Bonn Climate Change Conference concluded last Thursday after two weeks of intense work that made progress on issues of critical importance, including the global stocktake, climate finance, loss and damage, and adaptation, helping lay the groundwork for the political decisions required at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) at the end of the year. Media reported that the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell was dissatisfied as the two-week conference moved too slowly given the urgency of the climate crisis, but highlighted that there are bridges that can be built to realize the common ground we know exists. → Find out more in the Draft conclusions proposed by the Chair (FCCC/SBI/2023/L.10), the UN Climate Change Press Release, and the ENB Summary

Various stakeholders highlighted that the Conference failed to reflect the urgent need to tackle the key drivers of the climate crisis. In their closing statements, many speakers lamented the weak outcome of the consideration of the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Additional resources include:

Despite Mounting Pressure and Momentum for Fossil Phaseout Globally, Once Again, the Talks Failed to Advance Urgent, Ambitious, and Equitable Climate Action | CIEL | 15 June 2023
Bonn Climate Talks: Finance and Trust Key To Success of COP28 | Climate Action Network International | 15 June 2023

Not addressing fossil fuel as one of the root causes of climate change and its phase-out has been lamented as the main failure of the Bonn Conference. Calls for timely action on fossil fuel came from UN representatives:

After the conference concluded, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with a group of civil society climate leaders from around the world, followed by a press conference on climate at the UN Headquarters in New York. Urging countries to phase out coal and other fossil fuels to avert climate “catastrophe”, the SG stressed the responsibility played the fossil fuel industry, which should apply its massive resources “to drive, not obstruct” the global transition to renewable energy. → Read the full statement of the press conference.
Oil Change International responded to UN Secretary General António Guterres speech
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the Security Council that with an estimated 3.5 billion people living in “climate hot spots”, related peace and security risks are only set to heighten, warning that action must be taken to avert ever-worsening effects.

Relevant news on climate change and fossil fuels include:

Polar scientists call for urgent action in view of rapid Arctic and Antarctic change | WMO | 16 June 2023
Sea ice is reducing globally at an unprecedented rate, with serious implications for not only Earth’s polar environments and inhabitants but also global weather and climate.
Detox Development: Repurposing Environmentally Harmful Subsidies | World Bank | 15 June 2023
A new World Bank report examines how subsidy reform can help safeguard the world’s foundational natural assets—clean air, land, and oceans. The report found that Governments are spending trillions on inefficient subsidies that are making climate change worse – money that could be tapped to help solve the problem.
The Overshoot Commission is talking about solar geoengineering. Not everyone thinks it should | Climate Home News | 12 June 2023
The Commission recommendations could have broad influence on how the world considers the technology. For some insiders, it’s been uncomfortable. For critics, it’s seriously problematic.
Long-awaited balance for adaptation climate finance still out of sight, new analysis from CARE shows | CARE | 14 June 2023
New analysis of the latest climate finance plans submitted to the UNFCCC by 26 wealthy countries demonstrates there is no chance of achieving 50/50 balanced financial support for climate mitigation and adaptation in the near future, CARE has found.
Small islands agree bold plan of action on health and climate crises | WHO News | 15 June 2023
The Bridgetown Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health was launched to address some of the world’s deadliest diseases in Small Island Developing States. “Funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the most vulnerable countries is also key, with noncommunicable diseases and mental health accounted for,” said Her Excellency Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
Swiss approve net-zero climate law | Swissinfo | 18 June 2023
Swiss voters have backed a new law that seeks to accelerate the country’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies and reach zero emissions by 2050.

Celebrating the Solstice and a Green Summer in Geneva

The June solstice, when the sun travels the longest path through the sky, marks the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and is widely celebrated around the world. Indeed, mindful that the solstices and equinoxes symbolize the fertility of the land, agricultural and food production systems, cultural heritage and their millenary traditions, the UN General Assembly acknowledged that the celebration of those events is an embodiment of the unity of the cultural heritage and centuries-long traditions, and further play a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples on the basis of mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good-neighborliness. It, therefore, recognized 21 June as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.

As days get warmer and longer, Geneva offers various activities to enjoy the season. From exhibitions to outdoor visits, from festivals to tips to stay healthy and safe during the summer heat, the Geneva Environment Network Secretariat has prepared a list of suggestions of environmental and nature-themed activities to enjoy this summer in Geneva. The list is regularly updated, and for this week includes:

Summer Solstice in Music | A musical event to celebrate the solstice and the arrival of summer at MEG. Foyer on Wednesday, 21 June from 18:00 – 19:00 CEST.
Closing of museum exhibitions | This is the last week to visit two exhibitions at the Natural History Museum: T résors: 200 years of natural history an exhibition on the relationships between animal species and the conditions under which minerals are formed; and Tout contre la Terre an exhibition that takes an emotional approach to climate change and the erosion of biodiversity.
Fête De La Musique | From 23 to 25 June 2023, the 32nd edition of Geneva’s Fête de la Musique will offer three days of concerts, workshops and encounters.

Happening Abroad

IGC on BBNJ | The Further resumed 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on BBNJ (IGC-5.3) will meet from 19 to 20 June 2023 at the UN Headquarters in New York. At IGC-5.2, held in March 2023, delegates agreed on the text and in preparation for the formal adoption of the new treaty, the IGC established an open-ended informal working group to undertake technical edits to ensure uniformity of the text and harmonize the wording in all six UN official languages, and requested the working group to report at IGC-5.3. At this session, UN Member States are expected to formally adopt a new treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. → Follow the live coverage of the ENB.

WMO State of the Climate in Europe 2022 | The launch of the report will be organized on Monday 19 June 2023 at 14:00 – 16:00 (Irish Standard Time) in Dublin City Hall, Dame St, Dublin, Ireland, and online via Zoom in connection to the 6^th European Climate Change Adaptation Conference 2023 (ECCA2023).

What (Else) to Read Next?

Detention of environmental human rights defender Hoang Thi Minh Hong | UNEP | 17 June 2023
UN Environment Programme expresses grave concern over the detention of environmental human rights defender Hoang Thi Minh Hong in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
International Labour Conference adopts new apprenticeship standard, among other key decisions | ILO | 16 June 2023
The International Labour Conference concluded adopting various decision, including a resolution on a just transition.
Water, sanitation, hygiene, waste and electricity services in health care facilities: progress on the fundamentals | WHO, UNICEF | 13 June 2023
The report highlights that an estimated 8 million people die annually in 137 low- and middle-income countries from poor-quality health care, resulting in US$6 trillion in economic losses from poor health and premature mortality.
Pestgate: why the EU pesticide control does not work the way it should | Pesticide Action Network | 13 June 2023
Farmers, citizens and nature in the EU are not properly protected from the negative impacts of dangerous pesticides. Recently The Guardian, Le Monde, Der Spiegel and other media reported on chemical companies withholding studies on the neurotoxicity of the pesticide substances for which they seek market approval.
Water shortage: Switzerland’s blue gold is under pressure | SwissInfo | 12 June 2023
Around the world, conflicts are breaking out over water shortages. This precious resource has always flowed abundantly in Switzerland. Now, frequent droughts and high demand are increasing tensions and calls for regulation.
Rhine is the river most polluted by Swiss microplastics | SwissInfo | 12 June 2023
Every year around 15 tonnes of microplastics enter Swiss rivers and lakes. The River Rhine near Basel is the worst affected, a new model reveals.
Humanity cannot afford to aggravate the toxification of the planet: UN special rapporteur | Global Times | 11 June 2023
The process of Japan’s dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into ocean has begun. Marcos Orellana, the UN special rapporteur on toxics and human rights affirms that Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) method is insufficient, and the UN special rapporteurs have not received evidence regarding the application of the water treatment technology that would conclusively and compellingly dispel this concern.
Water Back: A review centering rematriation and Indigenous Water research sovereignty | Kelsey Leonard & al. | June 2023
The recent Land Back movement has catalysed global solidarity towards addressing the oppression and dispossession of Indigenous Peoples’ Lands and territories. Largely absent from the discourse, however, is a discussion of the alienation of Indigenous Peoples from Water by settler-colonial states.