Newsletter 20 Sep 2021
Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 20 – 26 September 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. 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.
Photo of the week | HRC48 Side Event – Addressing the Adverse Impact of Climate Change on the Full and Effective Enjoyment of Human Rights | Benjamin SCHACHTER, H.E. Mereswalesi FALEMAKA (Moderator), and H.E. Mohamed NASHEED | Villa Rigot (meeting room of the Geneva Cities Hub) | 15 September 2021
Environment @ 48th Session of the Human Rights Council
The 48th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC48), continues this week in Geneva, with a number of environment-related issues on the agenda. Our update provides the latest news and highlights the environmental-related activities of this session.
A Toxic Free Planet
The UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics, Marco Orellana, will present his report on the right to science in the context of toxic substances (A/HRC/48/61) at this session, with regard to the risks and harms associated with the life cycle of hazardous substances and wastes, examining the dynamics and interconnections between scientific progress, the diffusion of scientific information and the science-policy interface. The discussion is scheduled to take place on 21 September at 15:30 CEST.
Join the side events convened by the Special Rapporteur within the framework of the Geneva Toxic Free Talks:
- The right to science in the context of toxic substances | 22 September at 13.30 CEST (Register on Webex)
The creation of effective channels connecting science with policymaking is indispensable to advancing the contribution of scientific knowledge to human rights protection. - Plastics and human rights | 23 September at 13.30 CEST, also convened within the framework of the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues (Register on Webex)
In view of upcoming debates on whether to initiate negotiations toward a new plastics treaty at the next UN Environment Assembly in February 2022, this timely event will explore the impacts of plastics on human rights, as well as the elements of a human rights-based approach in a new legally binding global instrument.
Right to a Healthy Environment
The core group on Human Rights and the Environment – Costa Rica, Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland – has announced it will put forth the resolution to recognize universally the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment during the 48th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC48).
A large civil society coalition, of over 1,100 organizations, has been calling on all States to seize this historic opportunity to support the core-group of the resolution #TheTimeIsNow. Among the statements issued last week:
- Amnesty International | 13 September 2021
- Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL) | 14 September 2021
In her global update to HRC48 on 13 September, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, called for Member States’ leadership to address the environmental crises which threaten the very foundation of human life.
A safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is the foundation of human life. But today, because of human action – and inhuman inaction – the triple planetary crises of climate change, pollution, and nature loss is directly and severely impacting a broad range of rights, including the rights to adequate food, water, education, housing, health, development, and even life itself. Read full statement →
Protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders
The High Commissioner announced the launch a joint Environmental Rights Programme in the coming months to enhance protection of environmental human rights defenders and civic space; integrate human rights, including the right to a healthy environment, into all relevant negotiations and UN processes. and help build national capacity to promote and protect human rights. That same day, Global Witness sadly announced that in 2020, it recorded 227 lethal attacks against land and environmental defenders – an average of more than four people a week – making it once again the most dangerous year on record for people defending their homes, land and livelihoods, and ecosystems vital for biodiversity and the climate.
New Mandate for a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the core group behind resolution 47/24, the possibility of creating a new special procedure addressing the adverse impact of climate change is now on the agenda of the Council. OP 15 of that resolution gives the impetus needed at the Council to discuss the establishment of the mandate of a Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, and the leadership it needs responding to the threat climate change represents to Human Rights.
On 15 September, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands hosted a side-event on “Addressing the adverse impact of Climate Change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights”, co-sponsored by the Bahamas, Barbados, Fiji, Guyana, Haiti, Maldives, Nauru, Singapore, and Vanuatu. This event presented the findings of the latest IPCC report (AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis Report) to the members of the Council in the context of existing and potential future work of the Council, including the creation of a Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights as a response to this crisis.
With the momentum around climate action growing and resolution 47/24 on climate change adopted earlier this year, a core group composed of Bahamas, the European Union, Fiji, Panama, Paraguay, Sudan, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands will be tabling a resolution focused on the technical delivery of the establishment of a mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.
H.E. Amb. Doreen De Brum, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the UN
The draft resolution was shared on Thursday 16 September, with the view to hold the informal starting on Friday 17 September, 15.00-16.30 CEST, and the second one on the Wednesday 22 September, 16.30-18.00 CEST, and the third one on the Friday 24 September, 9.00-10.30 CEST.
Festival du Film Vert
La 16ème édition du Festival du Film Vert revient cette année avec 250 projections dans 64 lieux en Suisse et en France. A Genève, vous pouvez découvrir des films sur le thème de l’environnement, du développement durable ou des relations nord-sud, du 21 septembre au 3 octobre.
L‘ouverture officielle a lieu au Cinéma Empire, le 21 septembre à 20h, avec la projection du film “Génération Greta“, en présence des autorités de la Ville de Genève, et suivi d’un débat avec des élus et militants locaux.
Happening Abroad
- 76th Session of the UN General Assembly | virtually in New York | From 14 September 2021
The 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) continues this week, with the high-level General Debate beginning on Tuesday, 21 September 2021. International Geneva is contributing to:- 20 September 2021 | SDG Moment 2021
A one-day meeting is being planned to identify critical interventions to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. - 20-22 September 2021 | Uniting Business LIVE 2021
Over 50 high-impact sessions led by Chief Executive Officers from companies you know and admire, Government Leaders, forward-thinking sustainability influencers, and UN agency heads. - 22 September 2021 | Transformative Action for Nature and People
High-level event to showcase action to protect, conserve, sustainably use and restore nature and close the finance gap.
- 23 September 2021 | UN Food Systems Summit
Held virtually, the aim of the Summit is to deliver progress on all 17 of the SDGs through a food systems approach, leveraging the interconnectedness of food systems to global challenges such as hunger, climate change, poverty and inequality. - 23 September 2021 | Security Council Debate on Climate and Security
An opportunity to explore the increasing global consensus that climate-related disasters are linked to growing instability and sociopolitical tensions around the world that threaten peace and security. - 24 September 2021 | High Level Dialogue on Energy
First global gathering on energy held under the auspices of the General Assembly since the 1981 UN Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy. This is a Heads of State / Government event about SDG7 on energy and its three goals of universal access to modern energy, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
- 22-24 September, 2021 | 2021 SDG Action Zone
To highlight the ecosystem-wide solutions, plans, and investments needed to impact people’s lives and the future of our planet.
- 20 September 2021 | SDG Moment 2021
- CPW Wildlife Forum 2021 | Budapest, Hungary & Online | 26-27 September 2021
Under the central theme of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the Wildlife Forum will discuss how to move from theory towards further implementation of policies and actions in relation to sustainable wildlife management.
What (Else) Should I Read Next?
- United in Science 2021 | A multi-organization high-level compilation of the latest climate science information | WMO with UNEP, WHO, IPCC, GCP, WCRP & Met Office UK | 16 September 2021
COVID-19 did not slow the relentless advance of climate change. There is no sign that we are growing back greener, as carbon dioxide emissions are rapidly recovering after a temporary blip due to the economic slowdown. Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere continue at record levels. - Full NDC Synthesis Report: Some Progress, but Still a Big Concern | UNFCCC | 17 September 2021
While there is a clear trend that greenhouse gas emissions are being reduced over time, nations must urgently redouble their climate efforts if they are to prevent global temperature increases beyond the Paris Agreement’s goal of well below 2C – ideally 1.5C – by the end of the century. - More than 139 million people hit by climate crisis and COVID-19, new IFRC analysis reveals | IFRC | 16 September 2021
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related disasters have affected the lives of at least 139.2 million people and killed more than 17,242. - Last line of defence | Global Witness | 13 September 2021
227 land and environmental activists were murdered in 2020 for defending their land and the planet. That constitutes the highest number ever recorded for a second consecutive year. - Turkey: Uncover truth behind killing of couple who challenged mining companies, demands UN expert | UN independent experts | 17 September 2021
The Turkish government must get to the bottom of the murder four years ago of husband and wife Ali Ulvi and Aysin Büyüknohutçu, environmental defenders who challenged illegal polluting stone quarries in an agricultural area near Antalya, a UN expert said. - Prince William announces 15 Finalists for inaugural year of The Earthshot Prize | Earthshot Prize | 17 September 2021
Five of these finalists announced will be awarded The Earthshot Prize and will win £1 million in Prize funding for the best solutions of the five Earthshot goals: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean our Air; Revive our Oceans; Build a Waste-free World; and Fix our Climate.
Events
See allBody Meeting
48th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council
13 Sep – 11 Oct 2021
Online & Palais des Nations
HRC
Body Meeting
17th meeting of the Chemical Review Committee (CRC.17) | Rotterdam Convention
20 – 24 Sep 2021
Online
BRS
Body Meeting
Informal Open-ended Negotiating Group on Rules (Fisheries Subsidies) | HODs+1
20 Sep 2021 10:00
Online & WTO CR
WTO
Virtual
Water Security in an Era of Uncertainty
20 Sep 2021 15:00 – 16:15
Online | Webex
IHEID Water Initiative
Virtual
Briefings on documents tabled at COP-4.1
20 – 21 Sep 2021
Online
Minamata Convention on Mercury
Cinema
Le Festival du Film Vert 2021 | Genève
21 Sep – 03 Oct 2021
Various Cinemas
Festival du Film Vert
Body Meeting
Informal Open-ended Negotiating Group on Rules (Fisheries Subsidies) | HODs+1
24 Sep 2021 10:00
Online & WTO W
WTO
Conference
Water: Weapon of War or Instrument of Peace?
21 Sep 2021 11:00
Online | Geneva Press Club
Geneva Solutions
Virtual
“Mining without Mercury: How Technology Can Support the Transition to Mercury-Free Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector | Minamata Online 2
21 Sep 2021 14:30 – 16:00
Online
Minamata Convention on Mercury
Virtual
Workshop on Trade and Biodiversity | Evidence and options for using sustainability standards to strengthen the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
22 Sep 2021 13:00 – 15:00
Online
UNCTAD
Virtual
Environment, climate, conflict, and peacebuilding (ECCP) Monthly Meeting
22 Sep 2021 14:00
Online
Geneva Peacebuilding Platform
Virtual
Second WMO COVID-19 Task Team Roundtable | COVID-19 Seasonality: current understanding and relevance to decision-making
22 Sep 2021 15:00 – 17:00
Online | Zoom
WMO
Virtual
Shining a light on the Social Dimension of Sustainable Finance
22 Sep 2021 15:00 – 16:30
Online
IHEID
Virtual
Launch of the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines
22 Sep 2021 15:00 – 16:00
Online | WHO’s social media channels
WHO
Virtual
HRC48 Side Event | The right to science in the context of toxic substances
22 Sep 2021 15:30 – 17:00
Online | Webex
Virtual
Preparing for the Coming Storm: the Security Sector and the Environment
22 Sep 2021 16:00 – 17:30
Online
DCAF - Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance
Virtual
AI and Climate Science: Chris Bretherton and Noah Brenowitz
22 Sep 2021 17:00 – 18:30
Online
ITU
Exhibition
Exhibition Launch | Injustice environnementale – Alternatives autochtones
24 – 26 Sep 2021
Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65, 1205 Genève
MEG
Conference
The Future of Nuclear Energy: How to Ensure its Safety, Non-diversion, and Support for Sustainability in the Twenty First Century?
25 Sep 2021 15:00 – 16:00
Maison de la Paix & Online | Webex
IHEID
Jobs
See allProfessional
Chief, Communication, Advocacy and Knowledge Management Section (Temporary)
20 Sep 2021
UNDRR
Professional
Directrice générale ou directeur général de l’office cantonal de l’environnement
26 Sep 2021
Republic and State of Geneva