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Newsletter 21 Oct 2024

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 21 – 27 October 2024

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. Stay tuned and follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | Opening the event launching the 2024 Living Planet Report with the report’s alarming findings, WWF Director General, Kirsten Schuijt, stressed the cascading effects these will have on the environmental planetary crises, and called for action that meets the scale of the challenge: more effective conservation efforts, and transformation of our food, energy and finance systems. © Geneva Environment Network, iceBergues, 15 October 2024.

International Geneva @ UN Biodiversity Conference

All eyes are on the UN Biodiversity Conference, taking place in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November 2024. This major event, convening under the theme “Peace with Nature,” includes concurrent meetings of the governing bodies of the Convention and its Protocols, including the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP16), the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP11), and the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their Utilization (NP-MOP5). It kicks off this year’s series of UN summits on Biodiversity, Climate, and Land, advancing negotiations of the three global treaties that emerged from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

At COP16, participants will review the state of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), including through the alignment of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and resource mobilization. → Follow through IISD Earth Negotiation Bulletin daily updates and watch or rewatch plenaries on UN Web TV.

There is a strong multilateral Geneva presence at the UN Biodiversity Conference, providing contributions to the events and discussions ongoing in the various zones. Associated events counting from contributions of international Geneva this week include:

  • Biodiversity and Health Day | 24 October at the GBF Pavilion | Co-organized by Colombia, CBD, WHO and UNEP, the day aims at raising awareness about the interlinkages between biodiversity and health, and highlight the importance of biodiversity and health interlinkages for the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
  • Forest and Water Day | 25 October at the GBF Pavilion | Co-organized by CBD, UNEP, Minamata Convention, Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention), UN Water, IUCN, WWF and others, the day will put a spotlight on the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of forests and water-related ecosystems for the successful implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and numerous global commitments.
  • Trade Day | 26 October at the GBF Pavilion | For the first time at a UN Biodiversity Conference, a thematic day on trade will be taking place. Trade Day is co-organized by UNCTAD, WTO and the CBD Secretariats, and UNEP, in collaboration with other partners to facilitate and advance discussions among negotiators and stakeholders on potential pathways, best practices and solutions for trade and trade-related policies to address biodiversity loss and implement the goals and targets of the GBF.
  • Business and Biodiversity Forum | 27 October | Will discuss how can business support the building blocks of implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, a topic of interest for the various business organizations based in Geneva.
  • Nature and Culture Summit 2024 | 26 – 27 October | Will address topics such as a Human Rights-based approaches to conserving biocultural diversity and the the role of Indigenous and traditional territories in area-based conservation.

Geneva stakeholder’s engagement this week, by alphabetical order, include

Other events co-organized by Geneva stakeholders taking place this week include:

→ Stay up-to-date with the latest news on contributions of actors and stakeholders from International Geneva in our dedicated update.

Additional news on COP16 and biodiversity and nature include:

Delivering Climate Action | Preparation of UN Climate Conference

Addressing climate change remains high on the global agenda as we approach the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku. Events of interest taking place this week in Geneva and beyond include:

Additional news include:

Lead Poisoning Prevention Week | Bright Futures Begin Lead Free

The 2024 edition of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week continues this week under the theme “Bright Futures Begin Lead Free”, to remind governments, civil society organizations, health partners, industry and others of the unacceptable risks of lead exposure and the need for action to protect children’s health. The campaign builds on the success in outlawing the use of lead in petrol and the progress achieved by many countries in establishing laws that limit the use of lead in paint, particularly those paints to which children are exposed in their homes, schools and playgrounds. → Learn more on Preventing Lead Poisoning from Geneva.

Various events are taking place around the world to draw attention to the health impacts of lead exposure, highlight efforts by countries and partners to prevent childhood lead exposure, and accelerate efforts to phase out the use of lead in paint. UNEP, as co-leader of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (or Lead Paint Alliance), in collaboration with the US Environmental Protection Agency, will hold a webinar “Lead Paint Law Compliance and Enforcement” on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 from 13:00 to 15:00 CEST.

A new report launched by IPEN on 17 October, followed the trade of lead chromates, a main lead-based ingredient in paint, and found that countries with lead paint bans continue to export key lead paint ingredient, in a double-standard that puts children and families at risk globally. IPEN calls for listing lead chromates under the Rotterdam Convention to promote countries’ right to know about lead chromate imports.

Future Plastics Treaty | Updates on the Road to Busan

One month ahead 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) in Busan, Republic of Korea, the INC Chair and Secretariat have released important documents for the preparation of the meeting:

  • Scenario note by the Chair (UNEP/PP/INC.5/2 ADVANCE) | Noting “there is much common ground to build on, and a strong commitment among Members to achieve a successful conclusion of these negotiations in Busan”, the Chair stresses the goal of INC-5 is to agree on and approve the text of an international legally binding instrument and to identify any issues and areas where preparatory work should be done in the interim period between the Diplomatic Conference and the first session of the Conference of the Parties. The document intends to guide Members in their preparations for INC-5 and to propose a way forward, with the aim of optimizing the limited time available for the completion of the negotiations.
  • Report of the Co-chairs on the work of the ad hoc intersessional open-ended expert group to develop an analysis of potential sources, and means that could be mobilized, for implementation of the objectives of the instrument, including options for the establishment of a financial mechanism, alignment of financial flows, and catalyzing finance (UNEP/PP/INC.5/5 ADVANCE)
  • Report of the Co-chairs on the work of the ad hoc intersessional open-ended expert group to identify and analyze criteria and non criteria based approaches with regard to plastic products and chemicals of concern in plastic products, and product design focusing on recyclability and reusability of plastic products, considering their uses and applications (UNEP/PP/INC.5/6 ADVANCE)

On the sidelines, stakeholders continue discussions and the production of supportive documents calling for the treaty and the negotiations to be as ambitious as possible:

Events taking place this week on the Road to Busan include:

Upcoming Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues include:

Engage in the GENeva Environment Network 25th Anniversary

The Geneva Environment Network, also known as “GEN”, is the pivotal platform of international Geneva dedicated to enhancing collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against the triple planetary crisis, celebrating this year its 25th Anniversary.

As the world capital for multilateralism, Geneva is at the center of numerous debates and negotiations in the fields of science, health, human rights, development, trade and green finance, employment, peacebuilding and security, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, nature conservation, chemicals and pollution, as well as new technologies and innovation. This interdisciplinarity allows International Geneva to have unique cross-disciplinary expertise on climate change, biodiversity and land loss, as well as chemicals, waste and pollution, with thousands of experts contributing to address these three interlinked environmental crises, and the GEN serving as entry point to guide you engaging with the community.

There are various ways you can join or contribute to the celebration of this important milestone:

Green Suggestions for the Autumn Break

As days get shorter, nature changes colors, and Geneva and neighbouring France schools are closed for holidays, we invite you to take this time in the autumn to learn about, discover, and explore the environment in Geneva. → Find a diverse range of cultural activities and outdoor excursions on our “Green Autumn in Geneva” resource page.

Whether you are working, studying, or enjoying the school break, suggestions for your free time this week include:

  • Festival Salamandre | Join the Festival taking place in Morges-Beausobre on 25- 27 October 2024 for two days of exploration of the theme “water” through games, exhibitions and other activities!
  • Les coraux, un océan de vie | On 27 October 2024 join Animuse geologist in the grand salon of the Museum of the History of Science to hear stories from the Earth.

Happening Abroad

Water Convention MOP 10 | The tenth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the UN Water Convention (MOP 10), takes place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 23 to 25 October 2024 . Over 500 representatives from about 80 countries are expected to discuss how to strengthen transboundary cooperation for peace, sustainable development, and climate action. At the meeting, three new publications will be launched, including reports on transboundary data-sharing and progress on SDG indictator 6.5.2 on “Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation”. → Learn more and follow the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily coverage.

What (Else) to Read Next?

  • EU Makes Major Advance in Tackling Deadly Air Pollution | Human Rights Watch | 18 October 2024
    This week, the Council of the European Union, representing the governments of its 27 members, formally adopted a revised set of air quality standards for EU member states. Member states must now put forward plans on how to tackle air pollution domestically and incorporate the new standards into national law within two years.
  • The Economics of Water. Valuing the Hydrological Cycle as a Global Common Good | Global Commission on the Economics of Water | 17 October 2024
    The world faces a growing water disaster. For the first time in human history, the hydrological cycle is out of balance, undermining an equitable and sustainable future for all. We can fix this crisis if we act more collectively, and with greater urgency. Vitally too, restoring stability of the water cycle is critical not only in its own right, but to avoid failing on climate change and safeguarding all the earth’s ecosystems, as well as on each and every one of the SDGs.
  • Burkina Faso formally accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies | WTO | 16 October 2024
    Burkina Faso’s instrument of acceptance brings to 85 the total number of WTO members that have formally accepted the Agreement. Seventeen African members have formally accepted the Agreement, of which nine are least-developed countries. Twenty-six more formal acceptances are needed for the Agreement to come into effect. The Agreement will enter into force upon acceptance by two-thirds of the membership.
  • Clean Air Actions in Cities | WEF | 15 October 2024
    This paper aims to guide city leaders on taking actions to improve air quality in cities, focusing on key sources of pollution such as transportation, energy, industry and materials.
  • Europe’s state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience | European Environment Agency | 15 October 2024
    This report presents the state of Europe’s water. It outlines three overarching challenges facing future European water management: 1. protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems; 2. achieving the zero pollution ambition; 3. adapting to water scarcity, drought and flood risks.

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