Environment: What’s Up in GENeva this Week | 25-31 May 2020

A New Website!

We have launched our new redesigned website, presenting a different way of finding out about the Geneva Environment Network and what makes Geneva a global hub for environmental governance. We are still fixing bugs, and your feedback is welcomed. The website financed by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment.

Stay tuned, we will launch the new newsletter next week!

All United to End the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis that affects everyone. As the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said, the pandemic has exposed the fragility of our societies and economies to global shocks, such as disease or climate disruption.  As we recover, we must build back better for people and for the planet. The Secretary General keeps reminding us, that we have a framework for action – the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

For general reliable information on COVID-19, consult the links available on our COVID-19 dedicated page.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Environmental Agenda

Join the Geneva Environment Dialogues special COVID-19 series, discussing the impacts of the pandemic on the global environmental agenda. Three sessions will take place this week:

• Session #8 | The Water Convention and Transboundary Water Cooperation | Tuesday 26 May, 9:00-10:20 CEST | Event Details  |  Webex Live Registration
• Session #9 | UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15) | Tuesday 26 May, 17:00-17:50 CEST | Event Details  |  Webex Live Registration
• Session #10 | Minamata Convention Intersessional Work | Thursday 28 May, 9:00-9:50 CEST | Event Details  |  Webex Live Registration

The series addresses the following topics:

• The impact of the crisis on the invited organization activities
• The response of the invited organization to the COVID-19 crisis
• The impacts on the preparations of the conferences and negotiations, new schedules and programmes

Summaries, relevant links and documents mentioned during the discussions available online after the events.

COVID-19 & the Environment

Our “Latest updates on COVID-19 and the environment” page, lists relevant information, research, data and press releases on the environmental origins and impacts of the pandemic. Among the press releases and articles issued last week:

• Science points to causes of COVID-19. UNEP | 22 May 2020.
• Everything on our planet is interconnected – and we are part of the equation. WWF | 21 May 2020.
• Temporary reduction in daily global CO2 emissions during the COVID-19 forced confinement. Le Quere et al. | Nat. Clim. Chang. (2020) | 19 May 2020.
• Declines in air pollution due to COVID-19 lockdown show need for comprehensive emission reduction strategies. UNECE | 18 May.
• Over 150 global corporations urge world leaders for net-zero recovery from COVID-19. Science Based Targets initiative, UN Global Compact, and We Mean Business coalition | 19 May 2020.
• IUCN Acting Director General’s statement for International Day for Biological Diversity. IUCN | 19 May 2020.
• “Every worker is essential and must be protected from COVID-19, no matter what” – UN rights experts. Special Rapporteurs, UN Human Rights, 18 May 2020.

Additional ‘Live’ Events

During the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down, relevant live events organized by organizations around the world, contributing to the global environmental agenda, have also been included in the newsletter.

Online events this week, include:

• GGKP Webinar | Sustainability After COVID-19 | Building gender equality into the response | 26 May 2020 15:00 CEST
• FFFsR Webinar | Trade and Climate in a Post-Pandemic World | Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Stimulus, and Energy Price | 28 May 2020 16:00 CEST
• OECD-WWF Webinar | Aligning NDCs with a Post-COVID-19 World | 29 May 2020 15:00 CEST

It’s Time for Nature

In the run-up to World Environment Day, celebrated on 5 June, and focusing this year on biodiversity, various organizations have started raising their voices to tell the world that it’s Time for Nature.

The State of Geneva launched a photo contest on facebook on 22 May, running until World Environment Day: share images, pictures, drawings of the inspiring biodiversity of Geneva and win the amazing final prize.

Earth School | Week#5 & Week#6

The Earth School platform, launched on Earth Day by UNEP and TED-Ed – with the support of educators and partner organizations – in the run-up to World Environment Day allows our youth to learn #ForNature in the run-up to World Environment Day, when not allowed to be outside. It consists of 30 days of nature-focused content and environmental adventures for learners of all ages. The fifth week ending on 26 May, focuses on ‘The Nature of Individual Action’, the last week, starting on Wednesday, will address ‘The Nature of Collective Action’. #EarthSchool

What (Else) Should I Read Next?

• Brazil delays vote on land bill amid threat of environmental boycott. Jake Spring, Maria Carolina Marcello, Reuters, 20 May 2020.
• The State of World Forests 2o20. FAO, 22 May 2020.
• Greening trade for a global, green, and just recovery. Céline Charveriat & Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Institute for European Environmental Policy, 15 May 2020.

Learning

If you have some free time, consider enrolling into one or more online learning opportunities.

Job Opportunities

Employment opportunities in the region are made available by the members of the network and local partners. This week 20 vacancies are available online.

Stay tuned for additional news

Please note that the list of events and vacancies provided in our weekly newsletter is non-exhaustive. Stay tuned and follow us also on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Videos and documents of past GEN events are available online.