Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 23 – 29 November 2020

The Geneva Environment Network weekly newsletter includes updates on global environmental agenda, main events, job vacancies expiring soon, learning opportunities, as well as other useful news 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, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Due to the developments in the sanitary situation, most institutions of international Geneva are operating fully 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.

Launch of the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues

The world is facing a plastic crisis, the status quo is not an option. Plastic pollution is a serious issue of global concern which requires an urgent and international response involving all relevant actors at different levels. Various actors in Geneva are engaged in rethinking the way we manufacture, use, trade and manage plastics. The Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues, to be launched this week, aim at outreaching and creating synergies among these actors, highlighting efforts made by intergovernmental organizations and governments, businesses, the scientific community, civil society and individuals in the hope of informing and creating stronger synergies and coordinated actions. The dialogues will also look at what the different stakeholders have achieved at all levels, present the latest research and governance options. #BeatPlasticPollution

Join us for the first session, focusing on Plastics and Waste, Thursday 26 November from 9:00 to 10:00 CET. Register on webex to join the discussion.

Sustainable Energy Week

The UNECE Sustainable Energy Week is taking place from 23 to 27 November, uniting the 29th session of the Committee on Sustainable Energy and the 16th of the Group of Experts on Cleaner Electricity Systems in their quest to pursue carbon neutrality to advance the ongoing energy transition. Check out the calendar of the various sessions, rountables and workshops that will be held during the week. A High-level roundtable on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) will take place on Monday 23 November, from 15:00 to 17:00. #SutainableEnergy

Technology Supporting Circular Economy and Achieving SDGs

Sustainable and Circular Value Chains in Garment & Footwear

On 23 and 24 November, UNECE is holding its Third Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue: Accelerating action for Sustainable and Circular Value Chains in Garment & Footwear. This virtual event aims to take stock of progress on traceability and transparency of industry value chains through practical and global solutions. The event will also discuss priorities and concerted actions to implement such solutions on a large scale, through stronger policy coherence and wide industry engagement, and make the sector play a strong role in advancing circular economy and achieving the SDGs.

Advisory Group on Advanced Technologies in Trade and Logistics

The second meeting of the Advisory Group on Advanced Technologies in Trade and Logistics is taking place on Wednesday 25 November 2020 (12:00–16:00 CET). Speakers will present use cases and discuss ways to implement and use advanced technologies (such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and others) and how the latter can support circular economy, and to provide benefits to businesses and parties involved in sustainable international trade and value chains, in order to achieve the SDGs. This meeting is open to all interested stakeholders.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

The World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020 is taking place from 18 to 24 November. This year UNEP is joining the other Tripartite groups, FAO, OIE, and WHO to raise global awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to stop the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. Key factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance include misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human health, food-animal production and agriculture, along with poor management of waste emanating from households, farms, factories and human and veterinary healthcare settings. Check out the events taking place in the occasion and learn more on AMR. #WAAW2020

International Geneva @ UN Climate Change Dialogues

Due to the current health and safety measures put in place worldwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Climate COP 26 and subsidiary body sessions have been postponed to 2021. The UN Climate Change Dialogues, taking place from 23 November to 4 December, aim to provide a platform for Parties and other stakeholders to showcase progress made in 2020 and exchange views and ideas across the subsidiary bodies and COP agendas mandated for 2020. Various actors of International Geneva will contribute to the Climate Dialogues. #ClimateDialogues

Intensifying Discussions on Trade and Environment

Last week, at the WTO Trade and Environment Week, two proponent groups launched new initiatives to intensify discussions at the WTO on trade and the environment. The initiatives establish structured discussions on trade and environmental sustainability and an informal dialogue on plastics pollution. WTO’s work on trade and environment could include environmental goods and services, circular economy, deepening work on reforming inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, and strengthening links between trade and climate actions. #TradeandEnvironment

What (Else) Should I Read Next?

How to craft a strong WTO deal on fishing subsidies | David Vivas | UNCTAD | 19 November 2020
According to UNCTAD, even though the current text shows a near-complete set of rules that could help countries agree on a range of issues, several gaps remain. The future agreement needs to do six things…
Climate change: New report shows global response is failing people in greatest need | IFRC | 17 November 2020
IFRC’s World Disasters Report 2020: Come Heat or High Water shows that the countries most affected by climate-related disasters receive only a fraction of the funding that is available for climate change adaptation and thus struggle to protect people from the aggravating effects of climate change.
Stop financing fossil fuel projects, UN chief tells development banks | Kasmira Jefford | Geneva Solutions | 17 November 2020
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, urges development banks to step up their efforts in tackling climate change and to stop backing fossil fuel projects.
The Executive Director’s Statement to the 152nd Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives | Inger Andersen | UNEP | 20 November 2020
In this statement the Executive Director gives a brief on UNEP’s work in response to the pandemic during 2020, which focused in delivering a transformational change for nature and people, investing in a green economic package towards the pandemic recovery, helping nations to manage COVID-19 waste and modernizing global environmental governance.
Greenpeace dépose un recours contre la prolongation de certaines centrales nucléaires | 20 Minutes and AFP | 18 November 2020
Greenpeace has lodged an appeal with the French Council of State against the nuclear safety authority (ASN) in order to obtain an environmental assessment on the extension of the lifespan of french nuclear power plants.
Sustainable Trade in Resources | UNEP | 16 November 2020
In 2017, 35 billion tonnes of material resources, from oil to iron to potatoes, were extracted from the earth specifically for the purposes of trade. While that helped create millions of jobs, especially in poor communities, it was responsible for 90% of species loss, 90% of water stress and 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2017. With the demand for natural resources set to double by 2060, the report called on policy makers to embrace what is known as a “circular” economic model.
Reaching New Heights in Plastic Pollution—Preliminary Findings of Microplastics on Mount Everest | Imogen E. Napper et al. | One Earth | 20 November 2020
Microplastics were found in snow and stream water samples on Mont Everest for the first time.
Launch | Frequently asked questions on the 1992 Water Convention | Geneva Environment Network | 17 November 2020
Summary of the launch organized within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network