Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 30 January – 5 February 2023

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 also on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | Discussing Chaos in the climate of the Sundarbans at the Ciné Environment House session of 25 January 2023. Experts in Delhi, Dhaka and Geneva exchanged on how One Health can be a solution to restore and conserve gendered and climate-sensitive place ecosystems like the Sundarbans. © UNEP/GEN Marina Garlatti, 25 January 2023.

A Science-Policy Panel to Address Chemicals, Waste and Prevent Pollution

The resumed first session of the ad hoc Open-Ended Working Group on the Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution (OEWG-1.2) is taking place this week in Bangkok, Thailand, as a follow-up to resolution 5/8, adopted at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) last year. The establishment of such a comprehensive and ambitious science policy panel is a major development that will fill a gap, as such panels already exist for climate change (IPCC) and biodiversity (IPBES). Each planetary crisis will have its dedicated scientific body. It is also important to highlight that Geneva-based actors and institutions in the areas of global health and pollution have a key role to play in this process. → Follow the plenary sessions online, and stay tuned with the Earth Negotiations Bulletin coverage.

Additional resources:

IPCP White Paper on the scope and functions of the future science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals, waste, and to prevent pollution
IPEN Views on OEWG 1.2 Science Panel
A briefing organized within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network earlier this month, provided updates on the preparations of this important event and how stakeholders are engaging in the process.

Celebrating Wetlands

World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on 2 February, the day marking the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The theme for 2023 is It’s Time for Wetland Restoration. 35% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared in the last 50 years. This year’s celebration is an opportunity to highlight the urgency to raise global awareness on wetlands to arrest and reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to restore and conserve these vital ecosystems.

As the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention and of various international and non-governmental organizations active for nature protection, the Geneva region is an important hub of expertise and action for wetland conservation. Activities in Geneva to celebrate the day include events aimed at reconnecting people with nature and raising awareness of the importance of wetlands to our lives through the ecosystem services they provide. → Find more information about #WorldWetlandsDay and related activities

Pitch for the Grant 2023: Call for project ideas | On occasion of World Wetlands Day 2023, the Convention on Wetlands is inviting individuals, community organizations and social enterprises to submit pitches of project ideas or initiatives, which aim to contribute to healthy wetlands by either promoting conservation, restoration or improved management. → Submit your applications from 2 February to 2 March 2023

Right Livelihood Award: Call for Nominations

Established in 1980, the Right Livelihood Foundation is committed to peace, justice and sustainability for all. Each year, they present the Right Livelihood Award, recognising the actions of brave visionaries and building impactful connections around the world, including on the environment. The Award boosts urgent and long-term social change. 190 Laureates from 74 countries have received the distinction to date, and were provided with long-term support. The Foundation raises their profile, highlights their solutions, provides protection when their lives and liberty are in danger and links them and their innovative solutions to academia.

If you know someone who should be recognised for their contributions to peace, justice and sustainability, nominations are open for the 2023 Right Livelihood Award (Deadline 1 March 2023). → Tell Right Livelihood about their work!

What (Else) to Read Next?

The Lancet Series on One Health and Global Health Security | The Lancet | 19 January 2023
This four-paper Lancet Series explores the adoption of One Health approaches to improve health security and include an analysis of the current landscape of preventive, surveillance, and response measures in outbreak situations of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infectious diseases with epidemic potential as well as other potential public health emergencies such as neglected endemic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, environmental and chemical hazards and natural disasters.
Living in the Plastic – Age Perspectives from Humanities, Social Sciences and Environmental Sciences | Johanna Kramm, Carolin Völker (eds.) | 24 January 2023
This anthology aims to question the role of plastics in our society and the implications plastics have for the environment and human health.
UNECE issues biodiversity monitoring guidelines to help countries implement Kunming-Montreal framework | UNECE | 26 January 2023
Updated guidance published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) will help governments to strengthen biodiversity monitoring as a basis for sharpened biodiversity protection policies across all sectors.
Adopting a Human Rights-based Approach to Ecosystem-based Adaptation: A Contribution to Sustainable Development | UNEP | 23 January 2023
This publication examines the potential of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) – the use of nature-based solutions to build climate resilience – to meet sustainable development and human rights-based goals, drawing out lessons from UNEP’s experience to enhance and scale up EbA implementation.
The Breakthrough Effect: How tipping points can accelerate net zero | Systemiq, University of Exeter & Bezos Earth Fund | January 2023
Three “super-leverage points” could trigger a cascade of tipping points for zero-carbon solutions in sectors covering 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to ‘The Breakthrough Effect’, a new report presented at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos last week.
Light pollution is skyrocketing | Fabio Falchi and Salvador Bará | Science | 19 January 2023
Data from citizen scientists reveal a worrying growth in light pollution over the past decade.
How Is Your Phone Powered? Problematically | NY Times | 23 January 2022
Siddharth Kara’s “Cobalt Red” takes a deep dive into the horrors of mining the valuable mineral — and the many who benefit from others’ suffering.
European Union Pushes for Stronger Air Pollution Rules | Stefan Anderson | Health Policy Watch | 19 January 2023
At least 300,000 people lose their lives to air pollution each year across the European Union, and the bloc is pushing to tighten air quality regulations as part of its Green New Deal legislative package.