Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 28 March – 3 April 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.

In light with the recent developments in the sanitary situation, institutions in Geneva are adjusting their response and adapting their operations. 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 | H.E. Amb. Franz Perrez speaking at the High-Level Debriefing on the 5th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly © UNEP/GEN, Pablo Arturo López Guijosa

UN Biodiversity Meetings to Conclude

The resumed session of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-24) concluded at 17:06 on Sunday, 27 March. A significant number of brackets remain in most of the 11 decisions and draft recommendations accepted to the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Kunming later this year.

The resumed session of the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-3) is expected to conclude on Monday, and the resumed third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (WG2020-3) is concluding on Tuesday. Due to sanitary measures, participation to the meetings is possible only for registered participants. Interested stakeholders are welcome to watch live the plenary sessions, or join the side-events virtually. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin provides daily coverage of the meetings, while the CBD Secretariat holds regular press briefings. → Consult our update on the CBD meetings for additional information.

Among the many outcomes and insights of last week:

At the CBD Side Event on Integrating Human Rights in the Future of Biodiversity Action, recent research from the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights focusing on integrating human rights into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and rights-based approaches to conservation finance, was presented.
The new Cities With Nature Action Platform aiming at accelerating bold action for nature by enabling cities to make voluntary commitments that contribute towards achieving global and national biodiversity targets, was launched on Earth House.
On Sunday, the CBD Side Event on Chemicals, Waste and Biodiversity discussed the findings of the Nordic Council publication on Strengthening collaboration and coordination between biodiversity and chemicals and waste clusters, launched last month, identifying key areas of mutual interest across clusters and options for action. The finding of the Chemicals and Waste Conventions report on Interlinkages between the Chemicals and Waste Multilateral Environmental Agreements and Biodiversity – Key insights, launched last year, were also presented.

Towards Stockholm+50

In 1972, countries from around the world gathered in Stockholm for the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment around the motto “Only One Earth”. Five decades later, Stockholm will welcome the world again on 2 – 3 June 2022 for the Stockholm+50 international conference.

Preparatory Meeting

A one-day preparatory meeting convened by the President of the General Assembly is taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on Monday 28 March 2022. The meeting will be structured around three consecutive interactive discussions on the preparations for the three Stockholm+50 Leadership Dialogues and will consider other preparations for the international meeting. The event will be streamed live on UN Web TV.

Human Rights Council Contributions to Protecting Human and Natural Environment | Geneva Stockholm+50 Dialogue

In the run-up to Stockholm+50, and in parallel to the 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council, the Permanent Mission of France and the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva, Earthjustice, and the Geneva Environment Network, are organizing a Geneva Stockholm+50 Dialogue on “The Human Rights Council Contributions to Protecting Human and Natural Environment“, on Wednesday 30 March, at 14:00 CEST. Experts at this event will discuss how the UN Human Rights Council and its different bodies and procedures contribute to the protection of the human and natural environment. → Register to participate online or in person at the International Environment House.

Environment @ Human Rights Council

The 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC49) will conclude this week in Geneva. Regular updates on key issues at HRC49, side-events and further resources are available on our dedicated webpage.

This week, the Council will appoint the first ever Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, following a landmark resolution adopted last October (resolution 48/14). The list of candidates and the recommendations by the Consultative Group are provided in its report to the President.

Don’t miss the Geneva Stockholm+50 Dialogue on “The Human Rights Council Contributions to Protecting Human and Natural Environment“, on Wednesday 30 March, at 14:00 CEST.

Climate Change and the Future of Our Planet

Continuing the review of the report at its 56th Session, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is expected to approve its next report “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change” at the end of this week. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin provides daily coverage of the meeting. Following the closure of the 56^th IPCC Session and subject to Panel’s approval of the Summary for Policymakers of the report, a virtual press conference to present the Summary is scheduled for 4 April 2022 at 11:00 CEST. Media registration for the event is open until 23:59 CEST on 30 March 2022. → Follow for more information.

Festival du Film Vert in Geneva

The 2022 edition of the Festival du Film Vert (Green Films Festival), a nation-wide initiative to bring public attention to environmental issues through movies, will be held in Geneva from 29 March to 10 April. The programme includes various screenings and debates on major contemporary issues, including climate change, plastic pollution, environmental injustices, and more. The opening event, organized in partnership with the City of Geneva, will take place on Tuesday 29 March at 19.00 CEST a the Cinéma du Grütli. It will premiere the movie “Poumon vert et tapis rouge“, followed by a debate on how to raise public awareness on environmental issues.

Register for the 2022 Edition of Alternatiba Léman

The 8th edition of the Alternatiba Léman Festival will take place on 3 September 2022, with a number of inspiring conferences, workshops and other activities. Alternatiba showcases concrete means and solutions for reducing emissions, through conferences, exhibits, stands, workshops and practical demonstrations, etc., with the participation of numerous local actors. As we reboot the global economy, and are calling for a sustainable pathway as the road ahead, this is the occasion to meet the local initiatives for a greener future. Any organization active on climate change issues can take part: interested parties are invited to register to have a spot at the festival and/or organize an event. All registered organizations will be invited to a preparatory meeting on 4 April.

What (Else) Should I Read Next?

Microplastics found in human blood for first time | The Guardian | 24 March 2022
In a new groundbreaking study, researchers have found microplastics in most tested blood samples collected from healthy adult donors. Half the samples contained PET plastic, which is commonly used in drinks bottles, while a third contained polystyrene, used for packaging food and other products. A quarter of the samples contained polyethylene, from which plastic carrier bags are made. As other studies have shown the potential damage these particles can cause to human cells, scientists are expressing deep concern about the health risks of plastic pollution and calling for both action and further research on the matter.
The world has taken a step toward ending plastic pollution. Now let’s seize the moment | Marco Lambertini, WWF Director General | 20 March 2022
WWF Director General applauds the adoption of the UNEA resolution on plastic pollution while reminding of the significant work that remains to be done. It it now essential to develop a strong and ambitious agreement that sets clear common rules and standards, incorporates adequate finance and capacity building mechanisms, and allows for a shift toward a circular economy while respecting the rights of the informal waste sector.
Net Zero and Nature Positive Finance: Accelerating Sustainable Land-Use Investments for People and Planet | UNEP | 10 March 2022
In this new publication, UNEP’s Climate Finance Unit proposes pathways to unlock public and private finance for sustainable agriculture, forestry and landscape restoration, by demonstrating ‘proof-of-concept’; working towards a new asset class for ‘net zero, nature positive’ agriculture and forestry; and making sustainable deforestation-free and nature positive land use ultimately becoming the new norm rather than the exception.
4th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (2nd Part) | IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin Coverage | 21-25 March 2022
Nine years after its adoption, and five years after its entry into force, and despite its technical nature, the resumed Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 4.2) adopted 11 decisions that set the course of implementation in the years to come.
High-Level Debriefing on the 5th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly | Geneva Environment Network | 24 March 2022
Outcomes of the Debriefing, highlighting the key role that the Geneva-based actors and institutions will have in the follow-up of the resolutions adopted in Nairobi.