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Newsletter 30 Sep 2024

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 30 September – 6 October 2024

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 on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Celebrate with us and join our 25th Anniversary of the Geneva Environment Network call for video messages. To take part, record a video message (maximum 2 minutes) on how the Geneva Environment Network has been GENerating participation and engagement for increased collaboration among stakeholders for stronger environmental governance in the fight against the triple planetary crisis.

Image of the week | The Geneva Graduate Institute launched the new Hoffmann Centre for Global Sustainability with a panel discussion on Monday 23 September 2024. The Geneva Environment Network and the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) look forward to be engaging with the newcomer to strengthen connections with international Geneva and multilateral processes to tackle the planetary crises.

Plastics Treaty Talks | Advancing on the Road to Busan

On the road to the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC-5), intersessional work continues advancing the process with meetings and important discussions taking place informally. From 30 September to 1 October 2024, Member States of the United Nations, members of its specialized agencies and regional economic integration organizations will meet in Nairobi, Kenya for an informal in-person meeting of Heads of Delegations (HoD) to the INC. → Consult our regularly updated page Road to Busan | Plastics INC-5

This week, the Chair of the INC, H.E. Amb. Luis Vayas Valdivieso, will also participate in a Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogue “Road to Busan | Plastics Treaty Talks: Updates and the View to the Finish Line” co-organized by the Geneva Environment Network and the co-conveners of the dialogues with the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin. This session aims to review and update on the state of play, the latest developments on the process and substance, and priorities and key challenges for ongoing efforts to forge convergence. This event will provide governments and involved stakeholders an opportunity to review developments achieved during the intersessional work and revisit their key priorities for an ambitious and effective treaty text. The dialogue aims to highlight what the negotiations must focus on, as well as thoughts on key challenges and how to address them. → Register on Webex and join us online on Friday 4 October 2024 from 16:00 to 17:30 CEST.

Other relevant news include:

Towards a Drought-Resilient World | Drought Resilience +10 Conference

The Drought Resilience +10 Conference, taking place from 30 September to 2 October 2024 at the WMO Headquarters, is bringing together countries, experts and practitioners to review progress and lessons learnt and to explore and define a joint way forward towards a drought-resilient world. Despite significant progress made to tackle drought, drought events are becoming more frequent and intense, vulnerable populations and ecosystems are underrepresented in management decisions, and often political attention and finance are lagging behind what would be needed to increase drought resilience globally. The Conference aims to scale up and accelerate drought action on the ground. Following up on the first High-level meeting on National Drought Policies that took place in Geneva in 2013, the Conference will also reflect on successes and challenges of 10 years of drought risk management to learn how to achieve drought resilience and to implement Integrated Drought Management in the next decade.

→ With various actors from international Geneva actively engaged in the Conference, learn more about the role of Geneva in combating drought, land degradation and desertification in our dedicated update.

Environment @ 57th Session of the Human Rights Council

The 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC57) continues this week in Geneva. With the deadline for tabling draft resolutions coming up on 2 October, several environment-related draft resolutions are expected to be tabled including:

  • Technical assistance and capacity-building to address the human rights implications of the nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands | Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Samoa and Vanuatu
  • Biodiversity and human rights | Colombia and Costa Rica
  • Human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation | Germany and Spain
  • Mandate of the Special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change | Marshall Islands, Bahamas, European Union, Fiji, Panama, Paraguay, Sudan
  • Right to development | Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement Group
  • Human rights and Indigenous Peoples | Mexico and Guatemala

As the environment stays high on the agenda of the Council, notable events this week include:

→ Consult regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC57, side events, and further resources available on our dedicated HRC57 and the environment update.

The Cities Summit of the Future

The Fourth Forum of Mayors, organized under the theme “The Cities Summit of the Future”, is taking place from 30 September to 1 October at the Palais des Nations. Following the adoption of the Pact of the Future on 22 September 2024, Mayors from around the world are convening this week to collaboratively draw up an outcome statement, emphasizing the crucial role of cities and local actors in advancing a brighter and more sustainable future for all. Throughout the four sessions of the Forum, cities and local actors representatives will be able to highlight the multiple ways in which cities can substantially contribute to implementing the Pact, forging a brighter future for humanity and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The environment will be a cross-cutting topic across discussions and a dedicated side event “Solutions for a Triple Planetary Crisis in Cities” co-organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Global Cities Hub and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), on 1 October 2024 from 8:30 – 9:45 CEST, will explore how cities can contribute to local, national and global efforts to tackle the triple crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.

The Geneva Environment Network Turns 25

The celebration of the 25 Years of the Geneva Environment Network – the pivotal platform of international Geneva dedicated to enhancing collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against the triple planetary crisis – kicked off last week with the first of a series of events exploring and highlighting frameworks and partnerships that can strengthen environmental governance. It will conclude in December 2024 with a closing ceremony. This approach aims to create a meaningful and impactful celebration, inspiring renewed commitment to environmental governance and collaborative action. → To celebrate this important milestone, join the upcoming events and the call for video messages.

The Geneva Environment Network is the oldest of the thematic platforms of international Geneva, and a unique entry point for inquiries with regards to global environmental governance hub in Geneva, for mapping relevant actors and stakeholders, and for networking opportunities. This partnership of over 75 environment organizations based in the Geneva area, including United Nations offices and programmes, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, local authorities, and academic institutions, organized multi-stakeholder events in preparation of environmental negotiations and other meetings and intergovernmental processes addressing environmental concerns. Its Secretariat is based in the International Environment House, which was established in parallel to the network, and where UNEP Geneva offices are located.

Green Autumn in Geneva

Autumn has now arrived, the days will be getting shorter and nature will start changing colors. Geneva offers many opportunities to enjoy its landscapes around the lake and its numerous parks. Find suggestions of exhibitions, nature trails, shows, music and festivals for a Green Autumn in Geneva. Suggestions for this week include:

  • Grand Tour | From 30 September 2024 at the Bibliothèque de Genève, this exhibition will showcase historic images of the most photographed Alpine sites in Switzerland, showing how interactions between culture and nature are part of a common history. A guided visit on 5 October will provide an opportunity to learn more from the curators of the exhibition themselves.
  • Albert Zimmermann, a multi-faceted head gardener | On 1 October 2024, discover how Albert Zimmermann, Conservatoire et Jardin Botanique de Genève gardener emeritus, left an indelible mark on the botanical landscape.
  • Trésors de l’illustration botanique : XVe – XIXe siècles | From the earliest days of printing, engravings illustrated books. Before the end of the 15th century, woodcuts of plants enriched scholarly texts. The 16th century brought prints faithful to reality. The quality of these plates reached new heights at the beginning of the 19th century. Of course, the more artistic “belles éditions” have never disappeared since the florilèges of the 16th century. Discover the treasures with the guided visit on 3 October 2024 from 12:30 CEST at the CJBC.
  • Edition Automnale du Petit Marché aux Plantes du Jardin Botanique | Treat yourself! Join the autumnal edition and celebrate Geneva’s harvests and local produce in the heart of the Botanical Garden. On 5 and 6 October 2024 discover the wide variety of plants, by-products, planting and care tips, and activities for the whole family.
  • MEG “Think and Act” on the Climate Emergency | With the monthly meeting taking place on the first Sunday of the month, the Museum of Ethnography of Geneva — MEG’s meetings “to think and act” aim to address with you the issues of the climate emergency through the prism of the specificities of MEG such as care, repair, food, clothing, or the transmission of knowledge and know-how.
  • Guided Visit of the Climate Trail | Accompanied by a specialist from the urban planning department, you will discover some of the projects carried out or supported by the City of Geneva to combat climate change and make the urban environment more resilient. The tour will last between 3 and 4 hours and will include a break at refreshments stand du Bois de la Bâtie (snack at your expense). → Register to participate on 5 October 2024

What (Else) to Read Next?

  • Melting glaciers force Switzerland and Italy to redraw part of Alpine border | Angel Giuffrida | The Guardian | 29 September 2024
    Two countries agree to modifications beneath Matterhorn peak, one of Europe’s highest summits. Switzerland issued a press release on 27 September on the approval of the changes in the border with Italy due to the glacier’s melting.
  • World leaders commit to decisive action on antimicrobial resistance | WHO | 26 September 2024
    Global leaders have approved a political declaration, committing to a clear set of targets and actions, including reducing the estimated 4.95 million human deaths associated with bacterial AMR annually by 10% by 2030. The declaration underscores the need to prevent and address the discharge of antimicrobials into the environment, it calls for increased research and knowledge on the environmental dimensions of AMR, and for catalyzing actions to address key sources of antimicrobial pollution. → Consult UNEP Press Release
  • Fish species are disappearing as Swiss lakes warm up | Swissinfo | 26 September 2024
    Lake Geneva is warming 4 to 5 times faster than the oceans, climate experts estimate. As a result, emblematic fish species of the great Alpine lake, such as perch, fera or the Arctic char, have become much rarer in recent years. Professional fishermen are slowly watching their livelihoods ebb away.
  • Stop global warming to turn the tide on sea level rise: UN Assembly President | UN News | 25 September 2024
    It is estimated that sea levels will rise by 20 centimetres between 2020 and 2050, and up to 1.2 billion people could be forcibly displaced. The president urged countries to work together to build resilience, tackle disaster vulnerability, ensure development and implementation of climate adaptation strategies, and improve coastal management practices.
  • Cooler Finance: Mobilizing Investment for the Developing World’s Sustainable Cooling Needs | IFC and UNEP-led Cool Coalition | 25 September 2024
    The report provides a blueprint for financing sustainable cooling with an emphasis on mobilizing private investment. Sustainable cooling technologies are accessible, affordable, and scalable and minimize environmental impact, aiming for near-zero emissions cooling by 2050 through increasing the use of passive strategies for cooling, raising energy efficiency standards and rules for cooling equipment, and accelerating the phasing down of highly polluting refrigerants.
  • Revitalizing International Fossil Fuel Subsidy Phase-Out Commitments Through Roadmaps, Closing Loopholes, and Support | TESS | 25 September 2024
    Fossil fuel subsidies remain a persistent problem notwithstanding multiple international commitments to phase them out. A new approach is needed to ensure commitments account for and help overcome domestic barriers to fossil fuel subsidy reform. This new approach should comprise time-bound roadmaps, steps to close existing loopholes, and support for lower-income countries.
  • Honduras: Murder of environmentalist Juan López, criminalisation of environmentalists and the role of corporations must be investigated: UN experts | OHCHR | 24 September 2024
    Independent UN experts condemned the murder of human rights defender Juan López in Honduras and called for an independent investigation into his death and the role that businesses and politicians may have played in the matter.
  • Governing Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction: Roles and Opportunities for the Private Sector | World Economic Forum | 24 September 2024
    The entry into force of the “Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction” (BBNJ Agreement) marks a historic moment. This white paper presents practical insights into the agreement’s implications from companies operating in these areas.
  • In this triple COP year, leaders must align efforts to ensure planetary health | Op-Ed by Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of CBD, and Ibrahim Thiaw, UN Undersecretary-General and Executive Secretary of UNCCD | 23 September 2024
    This year, the UN summits on Biodiversity, Climate and Land will take place in quick succession between October and December in Colombia, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, respectively. They will convey the urgency, and the opportunity, of raising the coordinated ambition, investments and action to protect our planet and respond to the growing demand for food, water and resources. We cannot tackle these issues in isolation. Climate change is not just about carbon emissions. Land degradation is not just about soil. Biodiversity loss is not just about endangered species. We need to work together, break down silos and approach these problems in an integrated way.
  • Corporate underminers of democracy | ITUC | 23 September 2024
    Corporate underminers of democracy is the ITUC’s list of emblematic companies that benefit financially by continuing to violate trade union and human rights, monopolise media and technology, exacerbate climate catastrophe, and privatise public services. They represent a wider corporate world that protects and expands its own profits by undermining democracy.
  • Finance for Nature Positive Discussion Paper | UNEP FI and Finance for Biodiversity Foundation | September 2024
    This discussion paper intends to solicit feedback from the financial sector on a proposed Finance for Nature Positive working model, including definitions and associated practices. It aims to help operationalize the “Nature Positive” concept for the private financial sector. Published alongside a questionnaire.

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