Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 4 – 10 September 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, and Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | Pedro ARROJO-AGUDO, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, intervening at the event “Water for Shared Prosperity: From New York to Bali | Briefing in Preparation of the 10th World Water Forum“, co-organized with the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Indonesia and the Arab Republic of Egypt at Palais des Nations, on 30 August 2023. Water is at the center of various governmental processes of international Geneva, where numerous organizations focus on water issues, making this region a strategic hub for global water governance.

Advancing Sustainable Global Resources Management in International Geneva

This week, the environmental aspects of sustainable resources management remain high on the agenda in International Geneva with two important events taking place back-to-back.

World Resources Forum 2023

This year’s edition of the World Resources Forum (WRF’23) is taking place from 4 to 6 September at the International Conference Center Geneva (CICG). Under the theme “Rethinking Value – Resources For Planetary Wellbeing”, the Forum gathers international policy-makers, businesses, scientists, and civil society for a global dialogue to make resource use a powerful driver for planetary well-being.

The Geneva Environment Network is taking part in the Forum this year. Visit the stand which features the work of International Geneva in advancing global resources management in the context of tackling the triple planetary crisis, or join the WRF’23 Labs organized by the GEN and its partners:

Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention: Linking Science and Action Using a Life-Cycle Approach | 6 September 2023 | 11:00 – 12:30 CEST
This Lab aims to provide an interactive platform to seek input on relationships of the new Science-Policy Panel with stakeholders from the minerals and resources communities, through a life-cycle approach. After an introduction to the ongoing OEWG process, the Lab will elicit initial views on possible linkages between the panel and the minerals and resources communities, which will inform the second meeting of the OEWG in December 2023. This event is part of the Road to OEWG 2 Series, co-organized by the Secretariat of the OEWG and the Geneva Environment Network. → Registered participants to WRF’23 can join in person. Online participants are requested to register via Webex.
Launch of the Marine Sand Watch: Monitoring Marine Sand Extraction | 6 September 2023 | 14:00 – 15:30 CEST
This Lab will launch the Marine Sand Watch, a global data platform that tracks and monitors sand extraction in the marine environment. By making estimates on extractions and locations available for all, the goal is to increase transparency and dialogue between industry, governments, and civil society. The event, organized by UNEP/GRID-Geneva and the Geneva Environment Network will discuss steps to identify good practices on extracting standards and environmental policies. → Registered participants to WRF’23 can join in person. Online participants are requested to register via Webex.

Other actors in International Geneva are also engaged in the Forum in the various events that make links with other environmental agenda, tackling plastics, circular economy, critical minerals, e-waste, deep-sea mining, and many more. → Learn more about how Geneva engages in mineral resources governance.

Global Intergovernmental Meeting on Minerals and Metals

The Global Intergovernmental Meeting on Minerals and Metals will take place on 7 and 8 September 2023 at the International Conference Center Geneva (CICG). In fulfilling the mandate of the UN Environment Assembly resolution 5/12, the two-day meeting culminates the more-than-a-year-long process of regional consultations and discussions with Member States and stakeholders, with the aim of developing non-prescriptive proposals to enhance the environmental sustainability of minerals and metals along their full life cycle, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

A briefing, organized by the co-chairs of the process, Switzerland and Pakistan, within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network, presented updates on the preparations and details of what delegates can expect in this two-day meeting. → Revisit the outcomes of the briefing.

Other relevant news:

ECOSOC endorses UNRMS, paving the way for the implementation of sustainable resource management principles worldwide | UNECE | 30 August 2023
A milestone for advancing sustainable resource management worldwide: the endorsement by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) opens the way for global application of the UN Resource Management System (UNRMS), recognizing its potential to help countries and companies manage natural resources sustainably.

Together for Clean Air

In order to raise awareness and mobilize efforts against air pollution, since 2020, the international community celebrates each year the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on 7 September, as set out in the UN General Assembly resolution 74/212. The 2023 edition will be held under the theme ‘Together for Clean Air’. Acknowledging the transboundary essence of air pollution, this year’s celebration focuses on the need for strong partnerships, increased investment and shared responsibility to overcome air pollution, the biggest environmental health risk of our time.

As a global hub for international environmental governance, air pollution is a priority for Geneva and various intergovernmental, international and non-governmental institutions are engaged to raise awareness and curb the health and environmental damaging effects of air pollution. → To learn more, consult our update on International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies and the role of Geneva.

The 2023 edition of the day will be celebrated by various actors in Geneva. Events organized include:

World Health Organization Webinar: New opportunities for air pollution and health education – launching an OpenWHO online course for health workers. → Learn more and register to attend the webinar on 5 September 2023 from 13:00 – 14:15 CEST
UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and UNEP event discussing joint efforts by countries and UN organizations taking action on clean air in the Pan-European region. → Learn more and register to attend the event taking place on 6 September 2023 from 8:30 – 9:45 CEST in Palais des Nations | Room III
WMO to launch the “Annual Air Quality and Climate Bulletin: Focus on Heatwaves” on 6 September 2023.

Explore Green Geneva on Jeûne Genevois

The Jeûne genevois is a public holiday specific to Geneva. It falls on the Thursday after the first Sunday in September, and this year it is celebrated on 7 September. Its origin dates back to the first fast recorded in Geneva, at the beginning of October 1567, following the repression of Protestants from Lyon. From 1640, fasting was seen as a moral and religious act and became an annual practice at the initiative of reformed cantons.

While enjoying the celebration and eating the typical prune tarts, find plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to do in Geneva and its surroundings during the day off in our Green Summer update.

Happening Abroad

The Second Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability, organized by the German Federal Ministry for Nature, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection under the theme “Just Transition Towards a Pollution-free Planet”, is taking place virtually on 4 and 5 September 2023. Held three weeks ahead of the Fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), the Forum will build the momentum for ICCM5, providing a space for all relevant sectors and stakeholders to dialogue and raise the political and public attention needed to achieve the ambitious and crisis-proof new framework “SAICM Beyond 2020”. → Follow the Earth Negotiations Bulletin Live Coverage
The Africa Climate Summit is taking place in Nairobi, from 4 to 6 September 2023. The Early Warnings for All Africa Action Plan will be launched next Monday, 4 September at a high-level event. The Plan aims to adapt the global Early Warnings for All initiative to make it applicable to Africa. The State of the Climate in Africa report will be launched by the WMO Secretary-General in Nairobi on Monday, 4 September. WMO will hold a press conference in Geneva to announce the release at 2 p.m.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is holding the media launch of the Invasive Alien Species Assessment Report in Bonn, on 4 September 2023. The report was approved by member States at the 10th session of the IPBES Plenary. → Read the coverage of IPBES 10 by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin
The 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) will open on Tuesday, 5 September 2023.

What (Else) to Read Next?

General Assembly Adopts 5 Resolutions, 3 Decisions, including Text Urging States to Consider Need for Woman Secretary-General | United Nations | 1 September
In other business, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018–2028” (document A/77/L.106), in which it decided to convene the United Nations Water Conference in 2026.
Outrage as civil society excluded from crucial loss and damage meeting | Devex | 31 August 2023
The “unacceptable” exclusion of civil society campaigners from a critical climate loss and damage meeting has sparked outrage from climate experts.
General comment No. 26 (2023) on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change | Committee on the Rights of the Child | 28 August 2023
The Committee emphasizes the urgent need to address the adverse effects of environmental degradation, with a special focus on climate change, on the enjoyment of children’s rights, and clarifies the obligations of States to address environmental harm and climate change. It also explains how children’s rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child apply to environmental protection, and confirms that children have a right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
‘Off-the-charts records’: has humanity finally broken the climate? | The Guardian | 28 August 2023
The record-shattering heatwaves, wildfires and floods destroying lives in the US, Europe, India, China and beyond in 2023 have raised an alarming question: have humanity’s relentless carbon emissions finally pushed the climate crisis into a new and accelerating phase of destruction?
‘I’m not the guilty one’: the water protector facing jail time for trying to stop a pipeline | The Guardian | 28 August 2023
A 54-year-old climate activist who was among hundreds of peaceful protesters criminalised for opposing the construction of an oil pipeline through pristine Indigenous lands is facing up to five years in prison, amid growing alarm at the crackdown on legitimate environmental protests.
‘Threatened and vulnerable’: Cop City activists labeled as terrorists pay high price | The Guardian | 28 August 2023
The arrests mark the first time in the US that state domestic terrorism charges have been brought in connection with the environment and they’ve seldom been used against other protestors.
Trouble in the Amazon. The rainforest is starting to release its carbon. Is it heading towards a tipping point? | Daniel Grossman | Nature | 24 August 2023
Climate change, deforestation, and other human threats are driving the Amazon towards the limits of survival. Researchers are racing to chart its future.
Consultation publique sur le Plan climat cantonal 2030 | Canton de Genève, Direction de la durabilité et du climat | 22 August 2023
Afin de permettre à l’ensemble des actrices et acteurs du territoire de s’impliquer pour les enjeux climatiques, une consultation sur le Plan climat a été lancée en juin 2021 dans le cadre de Genève en transition. Le présent rapport retrace les principales étapes de cette consultation. Il met en évidence les propositions qui ont été exprimées à cette occasion ainsi que la suite envisagée dans la concrétisation de ces pistes d’actions.