Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 25 July – 7 August 2022

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 also on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

This newsletter will exceptionally cover the upcoming two weeks. Due to the Swiss national holiday, the UN Office in Geneva will be closed on Monday, 1 August.

Image of the week | Thermal images of various streets of Geneva taken by actif-trafiC on 19 July 2022, when temperatures in Geneva reached 38.1 °C — the 3rd highest value ever observed in Geneva. Actif-trafiC measured that same day the temperatures in various points of Geneva to highlight the importance of nature in cities to help limit the effects of heatwaves. Temperatures reached over 80°C on the surface of cars and over 60°C in the middle of the roadways. Watch the Léman Bleu TV report on the action. © actif-trafiC

Earth Overshoot Day 2022

On Thursday 28 July, humanity is reaching its overshoot day, the date when its demand for ecological resources and services exceeds what the Earth can regenerate in that year. Earth Overshoot Day 2022 is a strong reminder that our way of using natural resources is not sustainable: humanity currently uses 75% more than what the planet’s ecosystems can regenerate.

While we are facing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution, the need for action to protect the planet and #MoveTheDate is now more important than ever. → Find resources about the day, learn new tips for a more sustainable living, and discover various initiatives on sustainable production and consumption in our update.

Towards Ending Plastic Pollution

As the summer unfolds, governments and stakeholders are preparing for the upcoming negotiations on plastic pollution. Following the meeting of the ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) to prepare for the work of the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC), that concluded in Dakar on 1 June, Member States, members of Specialized Agencies and other relevant stakeholders are invited to make submissions on the sequencing and organization of the INC, substantive issues which would contribute to preparation of documentation for its first meeting, and the forum preparation. Many actors from Geneva and beyond have already submitted insightful contributions. → Consult here the INC submissions.

Plastic pollution and potential measures to end continue to make the headlines with growing public and media attention. Find below a snapshot of key news on the topic:

A global plastics treaty to protect endocrine health | Leonardo Trasande | The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology | 22 July 2022
Microplastics detected in meat, milk and blood of farm animals | The Guardian | 8 July 2022
California passes first sweeping US law to reduce single-use plastic | The Guardian | 1 July 2022
Brands exposed for ‘misleading and mendacious’ packaging claims | Changing Markets’ Foundation | 30 June 2022

→ Find out the latest news and more information about plastic pollution in our Plastics and the Environment series, now with more dedicated pages to dive in specific issues around plastics, including biodiversity, climate change, health, human rights, and more.

Towards a Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention

Following the resolution adopted at the last session of the UN Environment Assembly, UNEP is convening a series of webinars in preparation of the establishment of the new science-policy panel (SPP) to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and prevent pollution. The resolution requests to convene an ad hoc OEWG that will begin work in 2022, with the ambition of completing it by the end of 2024. The UNEP webinars will provide a background on the SPP process, and discuss its possible scope and structure. The first webinar will take place on Monday 25 July at 14.30 CEST.

H.E. Amb. Franz Perrez highlighted at the UNEA-5.2 Debriefing in March 2022, the core functions of the SPP will be to undertake horizon scanning to identify issues of relevance to policy makers and propose evidence-based options, conduct assessments of current issues and identify potential evidence-based options, in particular those relevant to developing countries, provide up-to-date and relevant information and identify key gaps in scientific research, and finally facilitate information sharing, in particular with developing countries seeking relevant scientific information.

This is a major development that will fill a gap, as such panels already exist for climate change — IPCC — and biodiversity — IPBES. Now each planetary crisis will have its dedicated scientific body.

The Right to a Healthy Environment for Everyone

In the coming days, the UN General Assembly is expected to vote on the draft resolution recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, submitted by Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland. The resolution recognizes indeed, that the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right essential for the full enjoyment of all human rights, and, among others, calls upon States and international organizations to adopt policies and scale up efforts to ensure a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for all. Latest resources on this important negotiation include:

UN General Assembly must affirm right to healthy environment: UN experts | UN Special Rapporteurs | 6 July 2022
Opinion: The right to a healthy environment for everyone, everywhere | Delfin Ganapin Jr., Yolande Wright | Devex | 18 July 2022
The UN General Assembly must back the right to a healthy environment | UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen op-ed published in Reuters | 13 July 2022
Why the UN General Assembly must back the right to a healthy environment | UN News | 22 July 2022

Aid for Trade and the Environmental Agenda

The 8th edition of the Aid for Trade Global Review, taking place from 27 to 29 July will also address environmental issues, including how trade is an integral part of the transition to low-carbon models of growth and a just climate transition. Thursday 28 July is packed with sessions making links with the global environmental agenda, including:

Plenary: Sustainable Aid for Trade | 9:00-10:15 CEST
Advancing the green hydrogen economy | Germany, UNIDO | 10:30-11:30 CEST
Greening of Aid for Trade as an opportunity for competitiveness | EU, ITC, Rwanda | 11:30-12:30 CEST
Implementing the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies – Challenges and opportunities for developing Members | WTO | 12:30-14:00 CEST
Unlocking sustainable development with clean cooking | Clean Cooking Alliance, UK, Netherlands, WTO | 12:30-14:00 CEST
The role of trade in addressing climate-induced fragility | WTO | 14:00-15:15 CEST
Plastics, the circular economy and options to mainstream trade-related cooperation to tackle plastic pollution in Aid for Trade | Ecuador | 15:15.16:30 CEST
LDCs, trade and climate change: harnessing the opportunities of a net zero world | Germany, WBG, EIF | 16:30-17:30 CEST
How can global trade support the transition to an inclusive circular economy? | Netherlands + Chatham House | 16:30-17:30 CEST
Greening Aid for Trade: Future priorities and pathways for a just transition to sustainable trade | TESS, CUTS, IISD, UK | 17:30-19:00 CEST

Connecting with Swiss Youth

From 23 July to 6 August, more than 30,000 Swiss scouts will camp in the Goms Valley, experiencing two weeks of outdoor activities, sharing of experience and learning. The Swiss National Jamboree 2022 “mova” camp is targeted at youth from 7 to 18 years old, with many more volunteer staff to make it all happen. The UN office in Geneva will take part in the camp, allowing children and teenagers to discover the importance of the SDGs through various activities.

The Geneva Environment Network will spend a few days at the camp to dive into environmental issues addressed by the United Nations and other stakeholders in Geneva. With a focus on plastic pollution, climate change, endangered species and the right to a healthy environment, the team will be providing young people a better understanding of some key environmental challenges and how they can contribute to a society that lives in harmony with nature.

What (Else) Should I Read Next?

Reading between the lines: G7 leaders make important commitments to nature | IUCN | 1 July 2022
G7 Leaders adopted a declaration at the end of June recognizing the “the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation on peace, stability, and security”. Their statement also refers to the need to address plastic pollution, the role of agriculture in relation to climate change and biodiversity loss, and the importance of Nature-based Solutions.
DDG Paugam calls for coherent standards, support for small players in transition toward decarbonisation | WTO | 5 July 2022
Trade can play an important role in the fight against climate change. In his address at an event hosted by WTO and ITC, WTO DDG Jean-Marie Paugam highlights the importance of transparent and comparable standards and methodologies for measurement and traceability of carbon throughout supply chains.
Human rights and environmental due diligence laws crucial to combat irresponsible business activities – UN expert | OHCHR | 4 July 2022
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and environment introduced a blueprint for laws to curb environmental and human rights violations by corporate actors, such as the harm caused by rampant deforestation, chemical and plastic production, fossil fuel exploitation and other large-scale extractive activities.
Haiti: UN experts alarmed by extreme environmental injustice in Cité Soleil that is threatening the health and safety of residents | SR Toxics | 7 July 2022
Haiti’s Cité Soleil is at risk of becoming a ‘sacrifice zone’ with its inhabitants facing extreme environmental injustices and an acute waste problem that threatens their health and safety.
Carbon captured and stored since 1996 is significant but overestimated by up to 30% | Imperial College London | 19 July 2022
New research indicated that carbon storage reported by governments may be greatly overestimated. The authors point to the lack of consistent reporting frameworks and regret the inaccurate picture that these overestimation paint in terms of technology’s contribution to fighting climate change.
UN Ocean Conference ends with call for greater global commitment to address dire state of the ocean | UN News | 1 July 2022
More than 6,000 participants, including 24 Heads of State and Government, and over 2,000 representatives of civil society attended the Conference, advocating for urgent and concrete actions to tackle the ocean crisis.
Sustainable Use of Wild Species Assessment Summary for Policymakers | IPBES | 8 July 2022
A new report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) offers insights, analysis and tools to establish more sustainable use of wild species of plants, animals, fungi and algae around the world.
Migratory monarch butterfly now Endangered – IUCN Red List | IUCN | 21 July 2022
The migratory monarch butterfly has entered the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species^TM as Endangered, threatened by habitat destruction and climate change. All surviving sturgeon species – also migratory, found across the northern hemisphere – are now at risk of extinction due to dams and poaching, pushing the world’s most Critically Endangered group of animals yet closer to the brink. The tiger has been reassessed, revealing new population figures.
“This heatwave is the new normal”, WMO Secretary-General says | WMO | 19 July 2022
“Heatwaves will happen more frequently because of climate change. The connection has been clearly demonstrated by IPCC,” said Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General.