Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 26 February – 3 March 2024

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. 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 | Diplomatic briefing on the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion proceedings related to States’ obligations in the context of climate change, convened last week by the Permanent Mission of Vanuatu and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), with the support of the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica and Portugal. With the deadline for initial written submissions approaching soon (22 March 2024), the briefing highlighted the importance for States and stakeholders to meaningfully engage in the process. © UNEP/GEN, 21 February 2024

International Geneva @ the UN Environment Assembly | UNEA-6

The United Nations Environment Assembly — the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment — is convening this week in Nairobi for its 6th session. Numerous stakeholders from international Geneva are among the over 5,000 participants attending this year’s assembly marking its 10th anniversary. → Follow the highlights in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s daily coverage. Follow the live feed. Watch the Opening Plenary on Monday 26 February on UNWebTV and the opening of the high-level segment be held on Thursday, 29 February, on UNWebTV.

After last week’s negotiations on draft resolutions and other important topics at the Sixth Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-6) and discussions during associated events and informal meetings, UNEA-6 is now the opportunity for the world to “lay the foundation for a more sustainable future”, as stated by the Assembly’s President, H.E. Leila Benali. With a dense schedule of leadership and multi-stakeholder dialogues, side events, the first Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) day alongside its side events and exhibitions, UNEA will bring forward discussions of interest for International Geneva. → Learn more about Geneva’s engagement in UNEA-6.

Additional news on UNEA-6 include:

Press Launch of the Global Resources Outlook 2024 | IRP | 1 March 2024 | 12:10-12:40 EAT
Global Youth Declaration on Environment 2024 | Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP | 22 February 2024
UN Environment Assembly opens at critical time for the planet | UNEP | 22 February 2024
Proposing the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions as the main operational framework to implement UNEA Resolutions 5/5 | IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management | 21 February 2024
UNEP’s Annual Report shows progress, but need for acceleration to address the triple planetary crisis | UNEP | 19 February 2024

Side events involving Geneva stakeholders that can be joined online include:

Seaweed as a nature-based solution to tackle the triple planetary crisis: Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution | 26 February 2024 | 13:30-14:45 EAT / 11:30-12:45 CET | UNCTAD, UN Global Compact (Global Seaweed Coalition), Madagascar, Indonesia, UNEP, World Bank, IOC-UNESCO, Friends of Ocean Action, World Resources Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defence Fund, Climate Champion
Sustainable consumption for biodiversity: Unleashing the power of GBF targets 15 and 16 | 27 February 2024 | 18:30- 19:45 EAT / 16:30-17:45 CET | UNCTAD, One Planet network and Forest Stewardship Council
Inclusive Pathways: Advancing Gender and Indigenous Perspectives in Multilateral Environmental Cooperation for Sustainable Future for All | 28 February 2024 | 18:30 – 19:45 EAT / 16:30-17:45 CET | Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Cultural Survival Organization, IFIP, OHCHR, Soka Gakkai International, Stockholm Resilience Centre, UNDP, UNEP, Women4Biodiversity
Pathways for the consistent and effective implementation of Nature-based Solutions: the role of the IUCN Global Standard for NbS | 1 March 2024 | 13:30-14:25 EAT / 11:30-12:25 CET | IUCN
Launch of the State of ENACT NbS Goals Report: Year one Roadmap | 1 March 2024 | 14:25-14:45 EAT / 12:25-12:45 CET | IUCN

Environment @ 55th Session of the Human Rights Council | HRC55

The 55th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC55) starts this week in Geneva and will consider various topics related to the environment over six weeks of deliberations, from 26 February to 5 April 2024. Contributions to the global environmental agenda will include:

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment will present his last annual report to the Council, focusing this year on Business enterprises, planetary boundaries and the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as well as the first edition of the Geneva Rights and Environment Talks, which will reflect on the challenges posed by the rapid decline of nature and biodiversity, and how Geneva contributes towards ensuring the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is upheld for all.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food will present his report to the Council on Fisheries and the right to food in the context of climate change.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, will present her report to the Council on Challenges faced by child and youth human rights defenders, emphasizing that they are “not just the future”.
The right to access and take part in scientific progress will also be discussed in the report by the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights to the Council.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights will present in an interactive dialogue with the Council his report that identifies Measures for minimizing the adverse impact of climate change on the full realization of the right to food.

Events of particular interest this week include:

Opening of the session | 26 February 2024 | 9:00 – 9:45 CET | Palais des Nations, Room XX & Online
In Defence of Civic Space and Democracy – Supporting the Work of Human Rights Defenders | HRC55 Side Event | 26 February 2024 | 13:00 – 14:00 CET | Palais des Nations, Room XXII | Finland & ISHR
The People’s Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources within the Context of Decolonisation: The Case of Western Sahara | HRC55 Side Event | 27 February 2024 | 14:30 – 15:30 CET | Palais des Nations, Room XXII & Online | Zimbabwe on behalf of a group of countries
Climate Neutrality and Human Rights | HRC55 Side Event | 29 February 2024 | 16:00 – 17:00 CET | Palais des Nations, Room XXV | United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation

→ Regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC55, side events, and further resources will be made available on our dedicated HRC55 and the environment update.

Trade and Environment @ WTO MC13

The World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) takes place this week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Two years after MC12 in Geneva which rejuvenated the WTO negotiating arm and demonstrated the environment can and should be included in trade discussions, MC13 will tackle important issues, and include as environmental related priorities:

Finalizing negotiations on fisheries subsidies. WTO members will have the opportunity to strengthen the rule package agreed at MC12 (rules targeting illegal fishing; overfished stocks; and unregulated high-seas fisheries) with additional tools to address subsidies more comprehensively. → Read IISD Policy Analyisis and TESS article included in the Synergies series.
Ensuring that the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration reasserts the importance of sustainable development as an overarching objective of the WTO and, alongside, that ministers recognize the importance of enhanced, inclusive cooperation on trade and environment at the WTO.
Sustaining and building political support and momentum for the three member-led initiatives on the environment at the WTO: the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution (DPP), the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD), and the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) initiative.

In the margins of MC13, the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate convened its second annual ministerial meeting on 25 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi. A key outcome of the meeting was the endorsement of a communiqué, accompanied by a Menu of Voluntary Actions, with a clear message for the WTO to pursue ambitious commitments in support of the global response to the climate crisis. It also calls upon all WTO Members to accept the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

Available resources to help you unpack the environmental agenda of MC13 include:

TESS article “Strong Ministerial Engagement is Needed to Strengthen International Cooperation on Sustainability and Trade” suggests priority areas for action at MC13 and beyond. → Read TESS article part of a Synergies series on reviving multilateralism curated by TESS titled From Vision to Action on Trade and Sustainability at the WTO
WTO Trade and Environment at MC13 Briefing Note
IISD article What to Expect at MC13
IISD in-depth coverage Inside MC13
The latest edition of the IISD Trade and Sustainability Review details seven critical topics of trade negotiations at MC13, including environment, fisheries subsidies, food security.
In parallel to MC13, the Trade + Sustainability Hub brings together thought leaders from both within and outside governments for a series of conversations on the challenges of building cooperative trade policy that delivers for sustainable development (also online).

United for Zero Emissions: The 2050Today Charter Explained

Home to the world’s highest concentration of international organizations and diplomatic missions, along with the hundreds of non-governmental organizations headquartered in the region, International Geneva contributed greatly in terms of policy to develop ambitious actions to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. With the support of 2050Today, the host country and local authorities, and also from UN Greening the Blue, various actions are being taken to reduce the ecological footprint of these institutions and walk the talk.

This week, an event hosted by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland, the World Meteorological Organization, and 2050Today, with the support of the Geneva Environment Network, will present the 2050Today Charter, developed to strengthen the joint impact of international Geneva, and to provide a common framework for action. → Register to join the event in person at Room Obasi at the World Meteorological Organization or online via Webex on 27 February 2024, from 10:00 to 12:00 CET. Registration and welcome coffee are available from 9:30 CET.

Plastics Treaty | Tracking Progress Two Years After UNEA Historic Resolution

This week marks two years since the historic resolution to end plastic pollution that was adopted at the fifth UN Environment Assembly. At UNEA-6, various moments and events will be dedicated to reflecting on the status of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee process. As mandated by the resolution, the UNEP Executive Director will report on the progress of the work of the intergovernmental negotiating committee to UNEA-6. → Find further information in our INC-4 update.

Deadlines related to INC-4 expiring soon:

Registration to participate in INC-4 will close on 26 February 2024. → Check out registration modalities on the dedicated webpage.
The call for Members and observer organizations registered to INC-4 to participate in thematic side events will close on 1 March 2024 and should be done through the online form. INC-4 side events will be held on 24 and 25 April 2024 in-person only and will address thematics such as Plastic Pollution in the Marine Environment; Approaches to Capacity Building, Financing and Financial Mechanisms; and Enabling Just Transition.

Online events related to plastics this week include:

Onboarding finance to beat plastic pollution | UNEP FI | 28 February 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00 CET | BrightTalk
Basel Convention Plastic Waste Partnership Forum on Extended Producer Responsibility: Plastic Wastes in Packaging | Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions | 28 February 2024 | 13:00 – 14:30 CET | Webex
UNEA-6 Green Room: Plastics poison and women’s health | Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development (MSD) | 29 February 2024 | 15:30 – 17:00 EAT / 13:30 – 15:00 CET
UNEA-6 Green Room: Why faith matters matter in multilateralism to combat climate change impacts, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution | Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa | 29 February 2024 | 18:30 – 20:00 EAT / 16:30 – 18:00 CET

Last week, the eleventh session of IMO’s Pollution Prevention and Response Sub-Committee (PPR-11) discussed the advancement of regulatory measures to address pollution of the natural environment by plastic pellets and fishing gear, finalizing draft recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers, which is a significant step in achieving our common aim of eliminating ship-source pellet spills.

IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 11) – Closing remarks | IMO Secretary-General | 23 February 2024
Highlighting some of the most important outcomes of the work that took place last week, related to plastic pellets, emission of Nitrogen Oxides, and the Arctic.
Tackling Sea-based sources of plastic pollution at the International Maritime Organization | Environmental Investigation Agency | 21 February 2024

Water and Drought Management in Transboundary Basins

This week, the UN Water Convention will hold a Global Workshop on Droughts in Transboundary Basins back-to-back with the fourteenth meeting of the Task Force on Water and Climate.

The global workshop, organized by the Water Convention, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, in cooperation with UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and the International Network of Basin Organisations (INBO), will bring together water, agriculture, climate and environment communities as well as drought experts to jointly discuss best practices and lessons learned in addressing droughts in transboundary basins. Considering the impact of droughts and water scarcity on food insecurity, cooperation on shared waters can help to improve preparedness for climate-related extremes and, particularly, for droughts, for example through the development of shared information systems or data exchange across sectors, enlarging the range and location of available measures, and sharing costs and benefits. → Check the programme of the workshop taking place on 26 – 27 February 2024 at Palais des Nations, Room XXVI.

Celebrating World Wildlife Day 2024

On 3 March 2024, we celebrate World Wildlife Day. The theme of this year’s edition “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation” aims to raise awareness about the latest applications of digital technologies in wildlife conservation and trade and about the impact of digital interventions on ecosystems and communities around the world. Numerous activities are taking place around the world to celebrate the day, including in Geneva:

The Geneva Bioparc is offering free capsule visits every hour throughout the day on Sunday 3 March 2024 to learn more about threatened species and species frequently illegally traded housed at the park. → Visit the Bioparc Geneva premises, from 9:30 to 16:00 CET.
In line with the Global Event taking place in New York, the CITES Secretariat, the International Telecommunication Union, and the Geneva Environment Network are organizing a Geneva Celebration that will highlight the role of Geneva in making advances in the field that bridges conservation and digital technology, in engaging with the advancement of digital innovation in the field of conservation and trade. → Register and join the celebration in person on Monday 4 March 2023 from 14:00 to 15:30 CET.

What (Else) to Read Next?

Deep-sea mining ‘seems to be inevitable,’ UN regulator says, as fight for critical minerals heats up | CNBC | 21 February 2024
It’s likely only a matter of time before scraping the ocean floor for valuable metals becomes a reality, according to the head of the International Seabed Authority, the UN regulator that oversees deep-sea mining.
What is the Cerrado – and why is it important for our planet? | Global Witness | 21 February 2024
Despite its sparce nature above ground, the Cerrado has vast underground roots helping its plants survive seasonal droughts and fires. These subterranean riches also mean the area serves as a powerful carbon sink, burying around five times more CO2 within its roots and soil than above ground, giving it the nickname “the upside-down forest”.
On the Road to COP-16 in Cali: Three Priority Areas for Action | Convention on Biological Diversity | 20 February 2024
The three areas where the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity will be expected to accelerate the momentum of action: 1. Translate the Biodiversity Plan into resolute national action; 2. mobilize and bolster the means of implementation; and accelerate progress on access and benefit-sharing.
Saving Lives, Breath by Breath: Learn about WHO AirQ+ | World Health Organization | 20 February 2024
Air pollution hangs heavy over many parts of the world, silently claiming millions of lives each year. Researchers and policymakers are locked in a crucial battle against this invisible enemy, and WHO AirQ+ software serves as a powerful weapon in their arsenal.
Migration, Environment and Climate Change: Policy Brief Series | Internationa Organization on Migration & Postdam Institute for Climate Impact Research | 18 February 2024
This briefing paper explores how the interplay between climate change, disasters, environmental degradation, and human mobility is reflected in Ethiopia’s current policy and legal frameworks.
The Escazú Agreement: Enhancing public participation on environmental matters in Argentina | Inter-Parliamentary Union | 9 February 2024
The conflict between public and private interest is a major part of the challenge. Narrow interests have profited indirectly from ecosystem degradation and the plundering of natural resources. But everybody pays the price. The Escazú Agreement is widely seen as part of the solution.
Assessing environmental damage in Ukraine and Environmental Restoration of Ukraine | CEOBS and Zoï Environment Network | February 2024
These two background papers focus on the assessment of environmental damage and the restoration of the environment and inform the Environmental Compact for Ukraine, a document developed by the High-Level Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of the War.
Used Heavy- Duty Vehicles and the Environment: A Global Overview of Used Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Flow, Scale and Regulation | UNEP | 22 February 2024
The report analyses the flow and scale of used heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) from three major used HDVs exporters – Japan, the European Union (EU) and Republic of Korea (ROK). It also reviews the regulatory environment for used HDVs import in 146 countries, 122 of which are low- and middle- income countries (LMICs).