Newsletter 08 Mar 2021
Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 8 – 14 March 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 are 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.
Environment @ HRC46
The 46th regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC46) continues this week in Geneva and virtually. Our update on HRC-46 provides relevant information, links and other resources regarding the environmental-related activities of this session. On the agenda this week:
- As a follow-up to the Human Right Council Resolution 40/11 on the protection of the rights of persons engaged in the defense of the environment, adopted in 2019, the Geneva Road Map 40/11 seeks to ensure the effective implementation of the right to act for the protection of the environment and to promote free and safe spaces for information and discussion on environmental matters. An event co-organized by the University of Geneva and Earthjustice, within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network and under the sponsorship of Norway, in parallel to HRC46 will provide an overview of the efforts underway to protect those working to safeguard the planet, in light of the several major conferences coming up this year. Register on Webex and join on 9 March at 13.30 CET.
- HRC core group on human rights and the environment – Costa Rica, Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland – is expected to issue a statement calling for States to engage in the process of the recognition of the right to a healthy environment at the HRC. This statement is open to co-sponsors.
- The International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH), is taking palce from 5-14 March, in parallel to the annual main session of the UN Human Rights Council. The FIFDH Impact Day aims to find potential alliances and strategies that will increase the quality and results of their joint actions to have a positive impact on the world we live in. An informative session for NGOs and Organizations wanting to engage with films will take place on 9 March at 12.30 CET.
High-Level Dialogue on Plastic Governance
The Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues, organized by the Geneva Environment Network secretariat, in collaboration with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat, the Center for International Environmental Law, the Global Governance Centre at the Graduate Institute, Norway, and Switzerland, addressed the plastic crisis and supported coordinated approaches that can lead to more efficient decision making. Following the first series of dialogues held in the run-up to UNEA-5.1, a High-Level Dialogue on Plastic Governance will take place on 11 March 2021. It will conclude the first series of dialogues which discussed various aspect of global plastic governance. This High-level dialogue will consider the outcomes of this series and explore the way forward to UNEA 5.2, scheduled in February 2022. Register on Webex and join at 14.00 CET.
Celebrating International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day, celebrated each year on 8 March, is a time to reflect on progress made on gender equality, to call for change and to celebrate the contribution of women to numerous challenges around the globe. The theme for 2021, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”, celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the occasion to echo the growing call for women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, including in environmental governance.
Environmental decision making – decisions we make for people and planet – need to be inclusive and involve all voices, including equal voices from women. The triple planetary crisis – of climate, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste – places a triple burden on women. According to UN Women, climate-related extreme events can lead to increased violence against women and girls. And we know that biodiversity loss places profound pressures on women and girls as land managers and resource users. And as food producers, women are frequently at greater risk through endocrine-disrupting chemicals in pesticides, or persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director
Among the events planned to commemorate the day:
- Women ChangeMakers: Women Campaigning on Air Pollution, with the participation of Maria Neira from WHO, on 8 March at 14:00 CET.
- WWF International and partners are organizing a high-level webinar Women and Biodiversity: Sustainable Use of Natural Resources for Women’s Socio-Economic Empowerment, on 8 March at 15:00 CET.
- The Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) will celebrate women as environmental stewards and changemakers, with the Virtual Coffee with Changemakers: Celebrating Women’s Achievements in Promoting Nature-based Solutions, on Friday 12 March at 15.00 CET.
Our update on Gender and the Environment provides information on women in environment governance, as well as the connections between gender and the environment and international cooperation on the topic.
Preparing for the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
The 2021 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region will be held under the theme “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and action and delivery on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, with a specific focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13 and the 2020 targets. The hybrid plenary sessions will take place on 17-18 March 2021 and will be preceded this week by:
- Civil Society Forum in preparation for the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (8-9 March)
- Virtual peer learning roundtables (10-16 March) clustered around the themes People (SDG 1, 2, 3), Prosperity (SDG 8, 10) and Planet (SDG 12, 13)
What (Else) Should I Read Next?
- Tackling marine plastic pollution and protecting our oceans | Inger Andersen | UNEP | 3 March 2021
Speech from UNEP Executive Direction Inger Andersen at the International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic Region, calling for strengthened action to tackle global marine litter and to make our oceans plastic-free - Turning the tide: How to finance a sustainable ocean recovery | UNEP Finance Initiative | 2 March 2021
Practical toolkit for financial institutions to pivot their activities towards financing a sustainable blue economy, providing guidance on how to avoid and mitigate environmental and social risks and impacts, as well as highlighting opportunities, when providing capital to companies or projects within the blue economy - The global water crisis and human rights | Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David Boyd | March 2021
Executive summary of the report presented by the Special Rapporteur to the 46th session of the Human Rights Council, highlighting the significant impact of water pollution, overuse, and water-related disasters on the enjoyment of human rights of people around the world - Working Group Generates Ideas for Financing Chemicals Work Beyond 2020 | IISD | 3 March 2021
A virtual working group advancing work on financing for the Beyond 2020 chemicals framework supported a proposal to establish a clearinghouse mechanism to track development aid, and said the eighth GEF replenishment should prioritize building on established areas of international concern. - Civil society call for fishing subsidies deal welcomed by Dr Ngozi and negotiations chair | WTO | 1 March 2021
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed civil society’s plea for a successful conclusion to the fisheries subsidies negotiations, illustrated through a fish ice sculpture set up by a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in front of the WTO headquarters - UNFCCC: Climate commitments ‘not on track’ to meet Paris Agreement Goals | ClimateAction | 2 March 2021
Review of the Initial NDC Synthesis Report published by UNFCCC, revealing that nations must redouble efforts and submit stronger, more ambitious national climate action plans in 2021 if they’re to achieve Paris Agreement goals - The developing world must get ready to adapt its trade to climate change | WEF | 3 March 2021
The acting Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Isabelle Durant, calls for strengthened adaptation measures to ensure ‘trade-climate readiness’ and economic resilience necessary to achieve the future development goals of developing countries
Events
See allBody Meeting
46th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council | HRC46
22 Feb – 24 Mar 2021
Online & Palais des Nations
HRC
Civil Society Forum | Preparation for Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
08 – 09 Mar 2021
Online | Zoom
UNECE
Virtual
Women and Biodiversity: Sustainable Use of Natural Resources for Women’s Socio-Economic Empowerment
08 Mar 2021 15:00 – 16:30
Online | Zoom
WWF
Virtual
Green Talks | Conservation challenges in the era of genome editing
09 Mar 2021 12:15
Online | Zoom
UNIGE
Virtual
Films for change: It’s time to upgrade your changemaking toolbox!
09 Mar 2021 12:30 – 14:00
Online
FIFDH
Virtual
HRC46 | Geneva Roadmap 40/11 | Environmental Human Rights Defenders | Milestones and Opportunities in 2021
09 Mar 2021 13:30 – 15:00
Online | Webex
Virtual
Sustainable Mobility: Policymaking for Data Sharing
09 Mar 2021 14:00 – 15:00
Online | Zoom
WBCSD
Virtual
Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
10 – 18 Mar 2021
Online & Palais des Nations
UNECE
Virtual
Online discussion: Where are there laws? A global and regional overview | SAICM Community of Practice on Lead in Paint
10 Mar 2021 13:00 – 14:30
Online
SAICM
Virtual
Are we building back better? | UN-Oxford Panel Discussion
10 Mar 2021 15:30 – 16:30
Online
UNEP
Virtual
High-Level Dialogue on Plastic Governance | Beat Plastic Pollution
11 Mar 2021 14:00 – 15:30
Online | Webex
Virtual
How the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources can help channel investments into energy and resource projects for sustainable development
11 Mar 2021 17:00 – 18:30
Online
UNECE
Afterwork
Virtual Coffee with Changemakers | Celebrating Women’s Achievements in Promoting Nature-based Solutions
12 Mar 2021 15:00 – 15:45
Online
UNDRR
Jobs
See allProfessional
Collaborateur-trice scientifique | Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques
08 Mar 2021
City of Geneva
Intern
Intern – Environmental Information Systems and Communication Technology
08 Mar 2021
Minamata Convention on Mercury
Professional
Associate, CEO Office and Senior Management Team (SMT) Office Support
09 Mar 2021
WBCSD
Professional
Délégué-e à l’énergie et au développement durable à 80%
14 Mar 2021
Ville du Grand-Saconnex
Consultant
Sustainable Banking Expert & Principles for Responsible Banking Review & Support Lead
16 Mar 2021
UNEP FI