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Newsletter 25 Nov 2024

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 25 November – 1 December 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 | Panel discussing From Jeddah to Geneva | Multilateralism Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance, held within the framework of the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024, which highlighted the urgency and importance of scaling up work to tackle the threat of Antimicrobial Resistance, as 1.3 million people are dying every year from antibiotic-resistant infections. © Geneva Environment Network, 19 November 2024

From Stockholm to Rio and Geneva: Six Decades of Enhancing Collaboration in the Fight Against the Triple Planetary Crisis | GEN @ 25

The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Geneva Environment Network — the pivotal platform of international Geneva dedicated to enhancing collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against the triple planetary crisis— continues with a series of events exploring and highlighting frameworks and partnerships that can strengthen environmental governance.

This week, the Geneva Environment Network is organizing a roundtable discussion, “From Stockholm to Rio and Geneva | Six Decades of Enhancing Collaboration in the Fight Against the Triple Planetary Crisis“, celebrating Geneva’s legacy in global environmental governance. Retired high-level experts and diplomats who have worked in International Geneva have been invited to reflect on their personal experiences as well as key global milestones and the evolution of partnerships and frameworks that address the triple planetary crisis, highlighting moments of meaningful impact and the collaborative spirit that has defined Geneva’s approach to global environmental challenges. → Register to join us in-person at the International Environment House I on Thursday 28 November 2024 from 14:00 to 15:30 CET. Light refreshments will be available.

Join us as well in other upcoming GEN @ 25 events including:

Celebrate with us and join our 25th Anniversary of the Geneva Environment Network call for video messages. To take part, record a video message (maximum 2 minutes) on how the Geneva Environment Network has been GENerating participation and engagement for increased collaboration among stakeholders for stronger environmental governance in the fight against the triple planetary crisis.

In Busan the World Needs to Choose Planet Over Plastics

This week, numerous experts from international Geneva have joined negotiators in Busan, Republic of Korea, for the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5). Member States are expected to agree at this session, scheduled to conclude on Sunday 1 December, on the final text of the future plastics treaty, marking a turning point in how plastic is produced, consumed and disposed. While the negotiations have formally started this Monday, Member States and stakeholders have been busy in the past days attending preparatory meetings and a march in support of a strong treaty. In his video message, the UN Secretary General insisted that Member States have a historic opportunity to start building a world free of plastic pollution and waste, they must deliver a treaty that is ambitious, credible and just. → Follow the negotiation on UN TV, through the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily coverage, or the Global Plastics Diplomacy Briefing daily wraps and learn more about the role of Geneva and other resources, news, parallel and side events, on our dedicated page Road to Busan | Plastic Pollution INC-5.

At INC-5, negotiators have to decide whether to accept the INC Chair’s Third Non-Paper as the basis for negotiations. The non-paper presents treaty text on elements States have expressed sufficient convergence on, while unresolved elements among States remain to be further discussed during negotiations. The approach proposed by the Chair H.E. Amb. Vayas aims to make the best use of the remaining time left in the negotiations. Last week, the Chair released a new Note providing further detail relevant to the organization of work at INC-5 (UNEP/PP/INC.5/7), including on the establishment of contact groups, in-session documentation, and the schedule of work for the first three days of the session. → Access all INC-5 documents.

Well before the adoption of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 5/14 mandating the establishment of the instrument, international Geneva has brought forward discussions on the need for ambitious action on plastic pollution, contributing with its knowledge in areas such as chemicals, health, trade, finance, green economy and more. The Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues have offered the space for conversations to turn into synergetic action. → Read last week’s newsletter for a recap of the dialogues that took place on the Road to Busan, stressing that we cannot say we didn’t know, we cannot say we can’t act.

Recent news and resources include:

UN Climate Change Conference in Baku Came to a Contentious End

After two weeks of intense negotiations and months to years of work, the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku closed on Sunday 24 November, at 5:31 am, and reached agreement on:

Agreement was not reached on the dialogue on the implementation of the outcomes of the Global Stocktake and on the just transition work programme. Discussions will continue at the Subsidiary Bodies’ sessions in June 2025.

While some delegations applauded the deal, others from developing countries, including India, Bolivia and Nigeria, expressed their deep disappointment at what they argued was an “insultingly low” financing target. Reacting to the outcomes, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that while an agreement at COP29 was essential to keep the 1.5-degree limit alive, “I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome – on both finance and mitigation – to meet the great challenge we face.” Looking ahead, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen insisted that “The road to Belém (COP30) must be one of concerted action and living up to commitments. There is no other way.” Additional reflections on the outcomes include:

Declarations, initiatives and reports launched last week include:

Additional news and resources include:

Second Week of Geneva Climate Week to Reflect on Action

The second edition of the Geneva Climate Week (Semaine du Climat), hosted by the City of Geneva, continues this week with a wide range of events such as debates, workshops and film screenings to provide citizens a better understanding of climate issues and the solutions available to reduce our carbon footprint. Among the numerous events taking place this week:

  • Les COP, à quoi ça sert ? Retour sur la COP29 | 25 November | 18:30 – 20:00 CET | Uni Mail, Room MR290 | UNIGE
    This conference will look at how the COPs work, their role, and the challenges involved in reaching a global agreement.
  • Sans transition. Une nouvelle histoire de l’énergie | 26 November | 18:30 – 20:00 CET | Maison de la Paix, Auditorium Ivan Pictet | City of Geneva, TESS & Geneva Graduate Institute
    Jean-Baptiste Fressoz will share his concerns about the need for a green transition and show how our industrial history has been based on a symbiosis, with each major energy source feeding off the others.
  • Stand Mode Durable: La Mode en Conscience | 27 November | 10:00 – 15:00 CET | Uni Mail, Hall RDC | ZeroWaste Switzerland
    Explore behind-the-scenes of the fashion industry through a fun and interactive tour.
  • Beyond COP29 – Youth Impact & Rethinking Climate Policy | 27 November | 17:30 – 20:30 CET | Campus Biotech | Swiss Youth for Climate, GIMUN & City of Geneva
    Bringing together passionate advocates and thought leaders for Beyond COP29 to discuss youth involvement in the COP process and the future of international climate policy.
  • Prix IDDEA 2024: Soirée de Gala | 27 November | 17:45 – 21:00 CET | Salle communale de Plainpalais | Prix IDDEA
    The IDDEA 2024 Award finalists will present their sustainable impact projects to the public.
  • Quels métaux pour quels besoins ? Réalités des filières métalliques primaires et secondaires dans un contexte de ruée minière mondiale | 28 November | 18:30 – 20:00 CET | Uni Mail, Room MR080 | Fédération Suisse des Entreprises & UNIGE
    The economic and industrial development model of our Western societies is intrinsically dependent on mineral resources and is based on exponential growth in their production.
  • Fresque du Textile | 30 November | 14:30 – 17:30 CET | Association Green Donut
    A fun, collaborative workshop aiming to raise awareness of the environmental and social impacts of the textile industry.
  • Cycle: Des rendez-vous pour réfléchir et agir | 1 December | 10:15 – 18:00 CET | Musée d’ethnographie de Genève
    A day at the museum to “think and act” on the climate emergency.

Strengthening Industrial Safety to Prevent Accidents

The Conference of the Parties to the UNECE Industrial Accidents Convention will convene for its thirteenth meeting from 27 to 29 November 2024, at Palais des Nations. The meeting will cover key topics on industrial safety and work areas under the Convention, and Parties will take important decisions to steer the work forward. → Follow the opening on UN TV

After the meeting opens on 27 November 2024, the UNECE Seminar on the Global energy transition: Strengthening industrial safety to address emerging risks, taking place from 10:20 to 13:00, will introduce challenges and trends for industrial safety in decarbonization agendas and include an exchange on emerging hazards and risks in the energy transition. The status of implementation of the Convention from 2019-2022 will be reviewed through the 10th report on implementation, which provides a number of policy and technical recommendations for improving industrial safety and related protections of people and the environment. Parties and other member States will share their experience and progress made in the implementation of decisions 2020/1 and 2022/1 on strengthening mine tailings safety and Natech risk management, respectively. New technologies will also be reviewed in a Special session on Satellite monitoring technologies, including InSAR, for tailings safety, taking place on 29 November 2024. In celebrating the Assistance and Cooperation Programme’s 20th anniversary, beneficiary countries will highlight the results and impact of activities through a panel discussion. Among other strategic matters, the meeting will also feature a financing “tour-de-table” for Parties to partake in a dialogue on enhancing financial commitment and futureproofing of the Convention. → Find more information on the event and the topics to be discussed in the CoP-13 flyer.

Environment @ UN Forum on Business and Human Rights

The environment is high on the agenda of the 13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, taking place from 25 to 27 November 2024 at Palais des Nations. It brings together thousands of stakeholders from all over the globe for the world’s largest annual gathering on business and human rights. This year’s theme, “Realizing the “Smart Mix of Measures” to Protect Human Rights in the Context of Business Activities”, will be a moment to reflect on how the “smart mix of measures” – national, international, voluntary and mandatory – has been central to the realization of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) over the past decade, including the integration of access to remedy in view of novel challenges, including those presented by the fragility of global value chains.

The Forum will explore key trends and prospects at the national, regional, and global levels in relation to the implementation of the UNGPs through a “smart mix”, including in the area of climate change, environmental challenges, and nature-based solutions; Indigenous Peoples rights; and human rights due diligence. Environment-related events and parallel sessions include:

→ Find more information on other environment-related events at the Forum and learn more about the role of Geneva on business, environment, and human rights.

Greening the Blue | UN System Commitment to Reduce its Environmental Footprint

With offices and personnel worldwide, the UN System is committed to supporting people and the planet by minimizing environmental harm. Coordinating the “going green” work across the UN System is the responsibility of the Sustainable United Nations (SUN) facility, based in Geneva. In collaboration with hundreds of UN personnel from across the UN System, the facility annually collects and analyzes information provided by entities on their environmental impacts and publishes this data and case studies in the Greening the Blue Report.

The 2024 edition of the report, released on 21 November 2024, provides a detailed overview of progress aligned with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the United Nations system, 2020–2030 Phase I: Environmental sustainability in the area of management. Based on performance data from 2023, the report covers the environmental impacts of 322,900 personnel across 58 UN entities worldwide and is associated with a compilation of good practices. It reveals concrete progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste, air pollution, water consumption, and impacts on biodiversity. The report, which refers to numerous organizations headquartered in Geneva, will be presented within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network in January 2025, stay tuned!

Multi-Partner Trust Fund Nature4Health Second Round of Applications

Nature4Health (N4H) promotes country-led, preventative policies and investments in nature that help to reduce health risks. The overall focus of N4H is to address the environmental determinants of health and to strengthen the integration of the environment in the One Health approach and thereby secure the health of ecosystems, animals, plants and people.  Through an initial contribution of EUR 50 million from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) through the Government of Germany/BMUV, N4H brings together UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations and civil society groups in the field of environment and health, namely, the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, the UN Development Programme, the UN Environment Programme, the World Health Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the EcoHealth Alliance. N4H is administered by the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office.

Interested governments are invited to apply for the second round of expression of interest (EOI) once open and be part of the Nature4Health movement. The N4H Secretariat, hosted by UNEP, is organizing this week a series of informational webinars in English, French and Spanish covering different time zones to share more information on the EOI process, including application requirements, in November.

Suggestions for a Green Autumn in Geneva

Suggestions to enjoy your free time and a Green Autumn in Geneva this week include:

What (Else) to Read Next?

  • Mass protests against New Zealand’s effort to weaken Māori rights — and hurt the planet | Grist | 22 November 2024
    Tens of thousands of people converged on Aotearoa New Zealand’s Parliament in a show of solidarity against a legislative onslaught against Indigenous rights. They had marched peacefully for nine days, in what Māori peoples call hīkoi, in an effort to stop the country’s new right-wing government from forcing through a bill that would dilute Indigenous influence on the government by reinterpreting one of its founding documents. 
  • Turkmenistan Joins CITES, Strengthening Wildlife Trade Regulation and Conservation in Central Asia | CITES | 21 November 2024
    The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) welcomes Turkmenistan as the 185th Party to the Convention. With Turkmenistan’s accession, wildlife trade in CITES-listed species in Central Asia is regulated by CITES provisions, marking a unified approach to conserving biodiversity across the region known for its unique ecological landscapes and species. CITES will formally take effect for the country on 2 January 2025.
  • The State of the World’s Children 2024 | UNICEF | 20 November 2024
    The report explores three megatrends that will profoundly impact children’s lives between now and 2050: demographic shifts, the climate and environmental crises and frontier technologies. It also presents three future scenarios – possible outcomes, not predictions – for how children could experience the world of 2050. As we consider what we can do today, our responsibility is clear: now is the time to shape a better future for every child. 
  • Le Conseil fédéral approuve la modernisation du Traité sur la Charte de l’énergie | Le Conseil fédéral Le portail du Gouvernement suisse | 20 November 2024
    Lors de sa séance du 20 novembre 2024, le Conseil fédéral a accepté la modernisation du Traité sur la Charte de l’énergie (TCE). Les parties contractantes restantes devraient approuver la nouvelle mouture du traité lors de la Conférence de la Charte de l’énergie, qui aura lieu le 3 décembre 2024. Au printemps 2025, le Conseil fédéral ouvrira une consultation sur l’approbation du TCE remanié.
  • Fisheries subsidies chair seeks views on year-end target for “second wave” agreement | WTO | 19 November 2024
    The chair of the fisheries subsidies negotiations, Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland, on 19 November convened heads of delegations to seek WTO members’ views on whether and how negotiations on additional provisions to discipline subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing could be concluded at the General Council meeting next month.

Events

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Conference

Development Dialogues

26 Nov 2024 | 09:00 – 18:15

Palais des Nations | Room XXVII

Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council

Human Rights and Environment

Jobs

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UNEP

Consultant

Gender Expert

27 Nov 2024

UNEP Europe Office

Chemicals and Pollution | Human Rights and Environment

SDG3 | SDG5

Updates

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23 Aug 2026

Ongoing Contests

Climate | Nature | Chemicals and Pollution

SDG11 | SDG12

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