Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 28 June – 4 July 2021

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. 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, Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Due to the developments in the sanitary situation, various institutions in Geneva continue operating 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.

Image of the week | Street-marketing installations by the lakeside: the word “STOP” in giant lettering written on the beach in Eaux-Vives, as part of the littering awareness campaign launched by the Road Cleaning – Clean City Department.

Nature-based Solutions and the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework

The Nature-based Solutions and Post-2020 Biodiversity Dialogue is the third of the Nature-based Solutions journey convened in the run-up to various international negotiations, including the 15th meeting of Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15). Parties are currently negotiating the new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which will define targets, goals and pathways for safeguarding biodiversity, and should be adopted at COP15. As we move toward more ambitious goals beyond 2020, the umbrella concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a powerful tool that will contribute towards the achievement of the GBF goals and targets while fostering news paths of change for our future. Strengthening the emphasis on NbS in the GBF can support the synergistic achievement of existing and future biodiversity targets, SDGs and national climate change commitments under the UNFCCC. NbS can support a transformational change which recognizes the fundamental relationship between nature and people and nature, thus ensuring that, by 2050, the shared vision of living in harmony with nature is fulfilled. Register on Webex and join Monday 28 June at 15.00 CEST.

Nature Within Cities and Cities Within Nature

The high-level event “Nature Within Cities and Cities Within Nature“, co-organized by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), with the support of the Geneva Environment Network, will focus on exploring the multiple benefits of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for cities, highlighting opportunities and challenges to advance and scale up NbS, from local action to global solutions, accelerating impact in 2021 and beyond. Register on Webex and join Wednesday 30 June at 16.00 CEST.

Geneva Cities Hub Bike Garden Party

The Geneva Cities Hub and partners invite you to celebrate the World Bike Day with a Garden Party at the Villa Rigot, on Wednesday 30 June, from 18:00 CEST. It is an opportunity to (re)connect with colleagues and friends from International and Local Geneva. Join us!

Climate Change @ Human Rights Council

The 47th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC47) continues this week in Geneva and virtually. The HRC is expected to adopt its annual resolution on human rights and climate change at this session. The OHCHR’s analytical study on the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons in the context of climate change (A/HRC/47/46), requested last year in Resolution 4/7, will be presented at the Council’s Panel on Climate Change, on 30 June at 10 CEST.

Our update highlights the environmental-related developments at HRC47.

Green Summer in Geneva

We have prepared a list of suggestions of environmental and nature-themed activities to safely entertaining this summer in Geneva: exhibitions, workshops, shows, contests, outdoor activities and online resources. The list will be regularly updated!

Out of Geneva

This week, institutions from international Geneva will be actively engaging in:

London Climate Action Week | 26 June – 4 July
Second pre-meeting of the Ministerial Conference on Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution | 28 – 29 June

What (Else) Should I Read Next?

Plastics pollution dialogue advances discussions, eyeing MC12 outcome | WTO | 21 June 2021
Participants agreed that the plastics issue is a global challenge requiring multilateral solutions for which the WTO could play a central role.
Top international lawyers unveil definition of “ecocide” | Stop Ecocide | 21 June 2021
Global expert drafting panel reveals proposal for a fifth crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
CITES Animals and Plants Committees complete first-ever online meetings with record attendance | CITES | 25 June 2021
Beyond the high attendance, the meetings saw several milestones for both bodies and for the Secretariat.
SME Competitiveness Outlook 2021 | Empowering the green recovery | ITC | 23 June 2021
The report provides a 20-point Green Recovery Plan to foster competitive, resilient and environmentally sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Toxic Chemicals in Plastic Waste Poisoning People in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe & Latin America | IPEN | 22 June 2021
Toxic chemicals in plastic waste exports from wealthy countries are contaminating food in developing/transition countries around the world, according to a new study released by the International Pollutants Elimination Network.
WMO Executive Council endorses unified data policy | WMO | 25 June 2021
WMO’s Executive Council endorsed a unified policy on the international exchange of Earth system data to help its Members meet the explosive growth in demand for weather, climate and water services as the world grapples with the dual challenges of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
GEF Council Approves Over $280M for Biodiversity, Climate, Chemicals, and Water | IISD Knowledge Hub | 24 June 2021
The Council adopted a Work Program worth USD 281.1 million, with eight stand-alone, full-sized projects on international waters, four on biodiversity, three on climate change mitigation, and two on chemicals and waste. In total, the funding will support 33 projects and three programs.
Le Conseil d’Etat adopte la démarche Smart Geneva | Canton de Genève | 23 juin 2021
Dans la continuité de l’adoption du plan climat cantonal et des actions menées pour réduire l’empreinte environnementale du canton, le Conseil d’État a adopté la démarche Smart Geneva – la démarche Smart City du Grand Genève.