Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 3 – 9 May 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, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Due to the developments in the sanitary situation, most 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.

Photo of the week: Aigrette garzette (Egretta garzetta) © Alain Chappuis & Naturissima, May 2021.

Environment @ Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks 2021

The Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks will conclude this week, with various sessions addressing environmental challenges and climate-related issues in the humanitarian context. On the agenda:

Nature-based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Humanitarian Contexts | 3 May, 15.00 – 16.00 | EHAN
Screening environmental risks in urban humanitarian settings with the U-NEAT+ | 4 May, 14.00 – 15.00 | EHAN
How Climate Change Fuels Gender-Based Violence: Zooming in on tools and data for gender-inclusive early warning systems and effective GBV early action intervention models | 4 May, 14.30 – 16.00 | IASC
Introducing Urban Action Kit for climate resilience | 5 May, 14.00 – 15.00 | HNPW/LEP associated
One Planet, One Humanity: The Links Between Environment and Emergencies | 5 May, 14.30 – 16.00 | EHAN

First Virtual CITES Standing Committee

The 73rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES SC73) will convene online, from 5 to 7 May 2021. The Standing Committee provides policy guidance to the Secretariat on the implementation of the Convention, oversees the management of the Secretariat’s budget, and coordinates the work of the other committees and working groups. The work of SC73 will feed into the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, which is expected to convene in 2022. Seven regional preparatory meetings for Parties organized by the CITES Secretariat took place in April.

The meeting will be held on the KUDO platform and streamed live on YouTube with translation in English, French and Spanish. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin will also provide daily coverage of the meeting.

Sustainable Food for a Sustainable Future | Wednesdays for the Planet

From supply chains to our plates, what we eat has a big impact on the planet’s resources. The next episode of Wednesdays for the Planet on 5 May, 13.30 CEST will explore sustainable food and agriculture. It will feature a reportage by CNBC International TV, which investigates how nature-based solutions can help us eat healthier for a better planet. Frank Eyhorn (Biovision Foundation) and Carin Smaller (IISD) will share their insights on how to build the sustainable future of food for the benefits of people and the environment.

Connect with GENvironment

A new series of networking events will be launched this week. Join us every Friday morning for Connect with GENvironment, an opportunity to have an informal conversation with experts that make Geneva a global hub for environmental governance. Our guests will share experiences, passions and motivations. Join us Friday 7 May at 9:00 CEST for a chat with Bruno Pozzi, Director of the Europe Office of the UN Environment Programme.

Sing, Fly, Soar… on World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day – celebrated on the second Saturday in May and second Saturday in October – is an annual global campaign dedicated to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. The 2021 theme “Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird!” is an invitation to people everywhere to connect and re-connect with nature by actively listening to – and watching birds – wherever they are. #WMBD2021 #SingFlySoar #LikeABird

This week, from 5 to 9 May, stay home and participate in the “Oiseaux de nos jardins” operation, organized by BirdLife Switzerland. Observe the birds you see in the gardens around your house and use the online form to report back your observations. Other local resources:

oiseaux.ch | Portail de référence des oiseaux sauvages en Suisse
vogelwarte.ch | Station ornithologique suisse
nosoiseaux.ch | Société pour l’étude et protection des oiseaux

Launch of the Geneva Digital Biodiversity Platform

The State of Geneva and partners will be launching a digital platform to raise awareness of the immensely valuable nature in the region, on Tuesday 4 May. This platform will reveal the unsuspected richness of biodiversity with no less than 150 local activities offered to the public to discover our natural heritage. Through this initiative, the government will mobilize the population and further build support to address the important challenge of preserving biodiversity. Various activities to observe birds will also be proposed on the platform. Stay tuned!

What (Else) Should I Read Next?

Nature-Positive World: The Global Goal for Nature | Harvey Locke, Johan Rockström, Peter Bakker, Manish Bapna, MarkGough, Jodi Hilty, Marco Lambertini, Jennifer Morris, Paul Polman, Carlos M, Rodriguez, Cristián Samper, M. Sanjayan, Eva Zabey and Patricia Zurita | 30 April 2021
The authors argue for the adoption of a succinct Nature-Positive Global Goal for Nature. The goal would have three measurable temporal objectives: Zero Net Loss of Nature from 2020, Net Positive by 2030, and Full Recovery by 2050.It should be combined with development and climate goals.
Chemical Pollution Causes Fish Declines | IPEN | 27 April 2021
This new report on aquatic pollutants in oceans and fisheries demonstrates how chemical pollution is adversely impacting the aquatic food chain that supports all life on earth, a situation which is likely to worsen in the coming years and will be exacerbated by climate change.
Sustainable management of natural resources can reduce risk of armed conflict | IUCN | 28 April 2021
This IUCN report investigates the links between nature and conflict, and policy options to address the issue. The findings show that conserving and sustainably managing natural resources could help increase the chances of building and preserving peace.
The Security Sector and Climate Change | Maria-Gabriela Manea | Geneva Global Policy Brief N°2/2021 | 28 April 2021
The provision, management, and oversight of security are already being strained by climate change impacts and is likely to become more strained in the near future.
Disability, Displacement and Climate Change Factsheet | OHCHR, IDMC, IDA | 29 April 2021
The factsheet includes some information on the role of climate change in displacing persons with disabilities, barriers and additional challenges faced by displaced persons with disabilities throughout the journey and in displacement camps, and some key recommendations on required action.
Why managing sand sustainably is a gritty problem | Oli Brown & Louise Gallagher | Chatham House | 26 April 2021
Exploring the environmental and social impacts of sand mining from fragile rivers, beaches, and the sea floor, the authors reveal a troubling picture of this highly demanded material and highlight the critical need to sustainably manage this natural resource.
Global Energy Review 2021 | IEA | April 2021
The annual Global Energy Review assesses the direction energy demand and CO2 emissions are taking in 2021, and investigate whether the rebound in activity after the pandemic risks pushing CO2 emissions to a new high and to what degree new policies targeting a sustainable recovery are able to curb a rebound in emissions.
Air Convention Task Force discusses impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns on air quality in the UNECE region | UNECE | 27 April 2021
One year after the first COVID-19 lockdown in many parts of the UNECE region, scientists and experts are studying the effects of lockdown measures on air quality.