Newsletter 20 Apr 2026
Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 20 – 26 April 2026
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. The Geneva Environment Network is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. Stay tuned and follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, Youtube, and WhatsApp, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.
Image of the week | The “Territoire Nations” project, led by the Canton of Geneva in partnership with a range of stakeholders, builds on the “Jardin des Nations” study completed in 2022, extending this momentum by transforming the area into a living territorial laboratory, where biodiversity, hospitality, culture, and cooperation intersect. The initiative aims to support the urban, ecological, and social evolution of International Geneva through progressive, cultural, and participatory activations, conceived as collective experiments in living together and in strengthening the relationship between the city and nature. The fifth meeting taking place this week, will explore culture as a means of shaping territory. © Canton of Geneva
Driving Action for the 2030 Agenda at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
The 2026 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the ECE region (RFSD 2026) – the region’s official input to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the UN’s main platform for global follow-up on the 2030 Agenda – is convening in Geneva on 21 and 22 April 2026, under the theme “Transforming Together: Innovative and Equitable Actions for the SDGs“. Building on this year’s report on SDG progress in the UNECE region, stressing that the region is on track to achieve only 19 targets, the Forum aims to accelerate and coordinate actions towards the SDGs and maintain the momentum for innovative policies and solutions. The Forum will be preceded by pre-meetings on 20 April 2026 by the ECE-RCEM Civil Society Forum (10:00 – 18:00 CEST, Palais des Nations, Room XVI) and the Youth Assembly of the Forum (14:30 – 18:00 CEST, Palais des Nations, Room XII). → Read more in the UNECE press release.
In alignment with the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the Forum will conduct in-depth reviews of SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals) and feature:
- Opening and High-level Policy Segment 2026 with a focus on Transformative, Equitable, Innovative and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda | 21 April 2026, 10:00 – 13:00 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room Tempus → Follow on UN TV Livestream
- RFSD 2026 Peer-Learning Round Table on SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Successes and Lessons Learned on Advancing Resilient and Sustainable Energy Systems in the UNECE Region | 21 April 2026, 15:00 – 18:00 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room XVI → Follow on UN TV Livestream
- RFSD 2026 Peer-Learning Round Table on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Implementation and Localization: Progress, Challenges and Enablers | 21 April 2026, 15:00 – 18:00 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room XII → Follow on UN TV Livestream
- RFSD 2026 Round Table SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Achievements, Opportunities and Future Pathways – On the Road to the 2026 UN Water Conference | 22 April 2026 | 10:00 – 13:00 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room XII → Follow on UN TV Livestream
- Plenary Session and Closing 2026 entitled “Driving Sustainable Futures: Integrated and Innovative Solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals” | 22 April 2026, 15:00 – 18:00 CEST | Palais des Nations, Room Tempus → Follow on UN TV Livestream
The environmental dimension of sustainable development will also be tackled in various side events, including those organized by the Geneva Environment Network with UNEP, UNECE and partners:
- Innovative Action for the SDGs through Education for Sustainable Development | 20 April 2026 | Palais des Nations, S-225-4 & Online, Webex | 10:00 – 11:15 CEST | Register on Webex
This side event will showcase how targeted educational policies, institutional reforms and community-based initiatives are already delivering measurable impact on the SDGs.- Education for Biodiversity: Accelerating Delivery of the Global Biodiversity Framework | RFSD 2026 | 20 April 2026 | Palais des Nations, S-225-4 & Online, Webex | 11:45 – 13:00 CEST | Register on Webex
This side event will explore how education (formal, non-formal, and informal) can serve as a strategic accelerator for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) implementation. It will showcase regional experiences, identify policy entry points, and examine how education systems can better align with national biodiversity strategies. The Special Envoy for the Armenian Presidency of the CBD COP17 will open the event.- Find more side events and sessions in the page dedicated to environment @ RFSD2026
Conference of the Parties to the Escazú Agreement Convenes in the Carribean
The Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 4) to the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean – known as the Escazú Agreement – is taking place from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Nassau, Bahamas. The main aim of this COP, held for the first time in a Caribbean country, will be to follow up on the decisions of COP 3 held in Santiago, Chile in 2024 and to make progress on other matters of the Agreement, including: Pollutant release and transfer registers (decision III/1), Participation of the public in decision-making processes regarding projects and activities that may have a significant impact on the environment (decision III/1), Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (decision III/2), Mainstreaming the gender perspective in the implementation of the Escazú Agreement (decision III/4), Access to justice in environmental matters, and Regional cooperation for implementation. → Consult the press release.
At Escazú COP 4, the Geneva Environment Network and it partners are co-convening the side event, “Implementing Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) for Fulfilling International and National Commitments to Mitigate Pollution” on 22 April 2026 from 15:00 to 16:30 CEST. The event brings together the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, the Aarhus and Minamata Convention Secretariats and national and regional experts to share practical experiences and identify opportunities for cooperation. → Register to join online via Webex
Other official side events featuring stakeholders from International Geneva and beyond to advance the global environmental agenda include:
- From Escazú to Business and Human Rights Due Diligence in the Caribbean: Strengthening Participation and Access to Information in Environmental Matters | 20 April 2026, 16:30 – 18:00 CEST | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Business and Human Rights Centre | Online, Zoom
- The Right to Defend Rights in Environmental Matters. Advancing Article 9 of the Escazú Agreement through Practical Tools | 21 April 2026, 17:00 – 18:30 CEST | Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) | Online, Microsoft Teams
- From Principles to Practice: How the Core Principles can help advance the rights and safety of environmental human rights defenders | 22 April 2026, 15:00 – 16:30 CEST | UNEP | Online
- Access to Justices Across Regions: Lessons from Escazú and Aarhus | 23 April 2026, 15:00 – 16:30 CEST | The World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, and UNECE | Online, Zoom
- How can the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ Advisory Opinion on climate change be used to protect environmental defenders? | 23 April 2026, 16:30 – 18:00 CEST | CIEL, Protection International, Protege Los Molles, FARN, Fundeps, ISHR, Plataforma Internacional contra la Impunidad, AIDA & Red Centroamericana por el Acuerdo de Escazú (REDCA) | Online, Zoom
- Support for the Implementation of the Escazu Agreement, the Aarhus Convention and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice | 24 April 2026, 14:00 – 15:45 CEST | Secretariat of the Cartagena Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNECE Aarhus Convention Secretariat & Escazú Agreement Secretariat | Online, Teams
Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit 2026
Building on the success of the first Global Forum on Buildings and Climate held in Paris, France, in 2024, the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit 2026, is convening in Lausanne, on 20-22 April 2026. The Summit brings together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, thought leaders and innovators from academia, government, industry, and civil society to reimagine how we build and live within planetary boundaries. Convened by EPFL’s Centre for Worldwide Sustainable Construction in collaboration with UNEP as the host of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the Summit aims to catalyze action on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: transforming the built environment into a driver of environmental sustainability through holistic approaches that seamlessly integrate resilience and socio-economic factors. The three-day programme would feature high-level plenaries with government and industry leaders from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America as well as Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) Technical Meeting, and various other initiatives/hub annual meetings. As the leading global platform for a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings sector, the Summit will unite attendees from across the public and private sectors to celebrate achievements, share best practices, and set bold priorities for the year ahead.
Astana Regional Ecological Summit 2026
The Regional Ecological Summit (RES) 2026 is taking place from 22 to 24 April 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event brings together around 1,500 participants from government bodies across the region, international organizations, development institutions, businesses, and civil society, including experts and heads of UN institutions from Geneva. The United Nations expressed its support to the Summit through General Assembly Resolution 78/147 of 19 December 2023, entitled “Central Asia facing environmental challenges: strengthening regional solidarity for sustainable development and prosperity,” and was reaffirmed at the 80th session in 2025. The objective of RES 2026 is to establish an open platform for the development of joint and practical solutions to climate and ecological challenges, bringing together a broad range of countries, regions, and partners, and demonstrating, through the example of Central Asia, how interregional cooperation strengthens global efforts.
Read more at:
- Astana’s RES 2026 is Much More than an Environmental Initiative | Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development | 17 April 2026
- Glacier retreat and risks of glacial lake outburst floods: UNESCO at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 | UNESCO | 14 April 2026
- Regional green school platform – High-level roundtable on children, youth and climate at the Regional Ecological Summit | UNICEF | 14 April 2026
- WHO and Kazakhstan to host ministerial session on health and environment at Regional Ecological Summit | WHO | 10 April 2026
First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels | Santa Marta Conference
The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, convened by Colombia and the Netherlands, opens this week, on 24 April, in Santa Marta, Colombia, and runs through 29 April. This solutions-focused forum is the start of a new high-ambition diplomatic pathway. The Conference is designed as a space for countries, subnational governments and other stakeholders recognizing the need to implement a transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner, in line with climate goals and the best available science. At least 54 countries are expected to participate in the Conference, including producer and consumer countries of oil, coal, and gas, that are active participants in initiatives or coalitions, demonstrating their commitment to implementing the transition. Over 2,600 organizations and communities, including some from International Geneva, expressed their interest in participating. The UN system is also mobilized to attend the Conference, including the UNEP, OHCHR, and ILO. The outcomes of the summit are expected to inform discussions at the next UN Climate Change Conference COP31, where an informal COP30 Presidency Roadmap for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels is expected to be delivered.
Taking place in parallel, the People’s Summit for a Fossil Free Future — the civil society counterpart to the historic Santa Marta Conference — will be held from 24 to 26 April 2026 and will serve as a critical space for self-organized civil society to unify our demands and build collective power from the ground up. It is based on a global process for deepening and widening broad movement consensus on a more comprehensive agenda for a rapid, equitable, and just energy transition, culminating in the adoption of three key papers: the Principles, the Demands, and the People’s Roadmap. These unified positions will then be delivered directly into the official process through the Assembly of the People on 27 April, a formal space convened by the Colombian government to facilitate direct dialogue between civil society representatives and state delegates. → Learn more about the People’s Summit.
→ The Conference and its outcomes are relevant for discussions in Geneva’s multilateral processes. Consult our dedicated update on Climate Action from Geneva to Santa Marta putting a spotlight on Geneva-based organizations and their engagement in preparation for and at the Santa Marta Conference.
Additional news on the Conference and on fossil fuels include:
- The Legal Foundations for Fossil Fuel Phaseout: An Open Letter to the Co-Hosts and Participants of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels | Deadline for signing on: 20 April 2026
- Colombia convenes climate ‘coalition of the willing’ to break global fossil fuel deadlock | The Guardian | 17 April 2026
- Transitioning away from fossil fuels: How can the Santa Marta conference create a snowball effect? | IDDRI | 16 April 2026
- Santa Marta Conference (April 24-29) a Landmark Moment for Fossil Fuel Phaseout | CIEL | 15 April 2026
- Beyond the Burn: Why Santa Marta Must Tackle the Petrochemical Build Out | CIEL | 15 April 2026
- Spillover Effects: The Fossil Fuel Debt Trap in the Global South | Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, Oil Change International & MENAFEM | 15 April 2026
- Charting the Path to a Fossil-Free Future in Santa Marta and Beyond: What the Conference Must Deliver | CIEL | 14 April 2026
- 1st International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels | World Council of Churches | 14 April 2026
- Escape from Hormuz, via Santa Marta | Observatório do Clima | 14 April 2026
- From COP30 to Santa Marta: Feasible Pathways for Fossil Fuel Phaseout | Beardsworth, R. , Garvey, A. and Johnson, E., University of Leeds | 13 April 2026
- Subnational governments are already shifting away from fossil fuels | IISD | 13 April 2026
- The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels Briefing | European Parliament | 13 April 2026
- Switzerland wants a global roadmap to phase out fossil fuels | Luigi Jorio, Swissinfo | 13 April 2026
- ‘The transition away from fossil fuels is a prerequisite for global peace’ | Luigi Jorio, Swissinfo | 13 April 2026
- Rethinking the Concept of International Disciplines on Fossil Fuel Subsidies | Robert Howse & Petrus van Bork | TESS Forum | 10 April 2026
- Multi-faith Call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty | Various Faith Institutions
- At the beginning of next month, the International Ban Fossil Advertising Conference will take place in Lyon, France. The Conference brings together campaigners, residents and activists who are working to reduce the impacts of corporate advertising on the environment, our wellbeing, and our mental health. → Learn more about the International Ban Fossil Advertising Conference taking place from 2 to 3 May 2026.
- Discussions on fossil fuel advertising ban are also expected to take place in the margins of the upcoming 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) taking place from 18 to 23 May 2026, as Leonie Gerritsen, an activist who played a key role in advancing the fossil fuel ad ban in The Hague, will be present in Geneva. More information to follow.
Advancing Climate Justice at the UN General Assembly
The Santa Marta Conference also comes at a crucial moment as discussions on advancing global climate action take place in New York, following the draft resolution introduced by the Government of Vanuatu on 6 February 2026 that aims to endorse and operationalize the landmark advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ AO) on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change in June 2025. Vanuatu highlighted three overarching objectives for the zero draft: to fully and unreservedly welcome the ICJ’s advisory opinion; to strengthen climate action in line with clarified legal obligations; and to advance climate justice through mechanisms to drive the operationalization of the advisory opinion. Having received contributions from a cross-regional core group of States, the draft resolution, now in its revised version, is currently undergoing informal consultations and negotiations. A third version of the public draft of the resolution, open for co-sponsorship, is expected to be released in mid to late April, and the resolution is expected to be voted upon next month. With discussions ongoing on the draft resolution, consult what has been said so far:
- Draft resolution: ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change | Vanuatu | Zero Draft, 30 January 2026 & Revised Draft, 6 March 2026
- How Vanuatu’s proposed UN climate change resolution may shift climate accountability for decades | Amnesty International | 10 April 2026
- Climate and the rule of law: why states must step up now | The Elders | 2 April 2026
- UN experts urge states to support General Assembly resolution operationalising ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate obligations | UN Special Rapporteurs on the right to healthy environment, on climate change and human rights, and on toxics and human rights | 12 March 2026
- Global: Governments must use new UN General Assembly resolution to turn ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on climate change into robust action | Amnesty International | 16 February 2026
- The UNGA Resolution to Endorse the ICJ AO | World’s Youth for Climate Justice | 6 February 2026
Impacts of the Conflict in the Middle East
In light of the new killing and injuries of UN peacekeepers and UN-contracted workers, it is important to reaffirm our solidarity with colleagues around the world in our shared commitment to advancing international peace and security. Guided by the principles and purposes articulated in the UN Charter, as civil servants, we work to promote and protect human rights, foster respect for international law, and uphold the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international legal frameworks. On Saturday, a UN peacekeeper was killed, and three were injured after a UNIFIL patrol came under fire in southern Lebanon. Condemning the incident, the UN Secretary General said that this was the third deadly attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers in recent weeks, occurring despite the announced 10‑day cessation of hostilities beginning on 16 April, and warned that attacks against peacekeepers must stop and may constitute war crimes. On Friday, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed outrage at the killing of two contracted workers delivering clean water to families in the Gaza Strip. WHO has also reported attacks on health care with verified incidents affecting health facilities, personnel and medical assets.
UN agencies, stakeholders and international experts have reported in the past week that the conflict in the Middle East is triggering severe humanitarian, economic, food, energy, and environmental consequences far beyond the region. They have warned that war-driven dependence on fossil fuels and vulnerable shipping routes is amplifying global instability, making the case for accelerating renewable energy, biofertilizer production, and resilient food and energy systems as essential pathways from crisis to long-term security and sustainability. In its latest situation report, WHO highlighted that environmental and industrial hazards remain of high concern, with attacks on vital infrastructure such as water desalination plants and fuel facilities. Such attacks can disrupt water access for rural communities, leading to health risks and environmental contamination. Read more at:
- Middle East war: UNESCO grants ‘enhanced protection’ to 39 heritage sites in danger | UN News | 17 April 2026
- Middle East Escalation of Conflict, Global external situation report #4 | WHO | 16 April 2026
- Strait of Hormuz crisis should catalyze African biofertilizer production | Susan Chomba | Mongabay | 16 April 2026
- Middle East conflict chokes end of supply chain as lights go out in the Pacific | UN News | 15 April 2026
- Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the Middle East | UN News | 13 April 2026
- UN experts call for end to attacks on Gaza shelters, forced displacement in West Bank | OHCHR | 13 April 2026
- ‘Clock is ticking’: Hormuz disruption raises fears of global food crisis | UN News | 13 April 2026
- Iran: Israel’s Oil Depot Strikes Endanger Environment, Health | Human Rights Watch | 13 April 2026
- FAO: Protracted Strait of Hormuz crisis could turn into global agrifood catastrophe | FAO | 13 April 2026
- Moving from Energy Crisis to Energy Security with Renewables | IRENA | 12 April 2026
- Fossil fuels are driving a cost crisis for households, businesses and nations. Clean energy is the cure. Because sunlight and wind don’t depend on vulnerable shipping straits | Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary | 10 April 2026
- Advocacy brief: The cost of war in Gaza on women and girls | UN Women | April 2026
- Global Economy in the Shadow of War | IMF | April 2026
- This week, on 22 and 23 April 2026, the Environmental Committee, the Geneva Graduate Institute students’ environmental association, will host a Sustainability Conference “Climate x Conflict”, providing an opportunity to unpack the geopolitical and economic consequences of ongoing wars, examine how shifting energy dynamics are affecting decarbonization trajectories, and ultimately, strengthen interdisciplinary understanding of how conflict and energy politics interact in shaping sustainable futures.
Celebrating International Mother Earth Day
The General Assembly designated 22 April as International Mother Earth Day through a resolution adopted in 2009, but the observance traces its roots to the 1970s, when environmental protection was gaining global political attention. The 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm marked a turning point by highlighting the interdependence between people, nature, and the planet, and by establishing World Environment Day and the UN Environment Programme. Since then, successive UN conferences have helped advance environmental awareness and governance worldwide. Yet, despite this progress, Mother Earth remains under severe threat from the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss, and pollution, urging a call to action. Recovering and restoring ecosystems — which sustain all life on Earth — is essential, as healthier ecosystems mean a healthier planet and healthier people, while ecosystem restoration can help alleviate poverty, combat climate change, and prevent mass extinction.
To celebrate International Mother Earth Day, events taking place in Geneva include:
- Earth Day Geneva 2026: Bridging Possibilities Workshop | Organized by the Earth Foundation | 22 April 2026, 14:00 – 16:30 CEST | Maison de l’avenir / Impact Hub Geneva
Through a “Speed Dating for the Planet” format, leaders from foundations, NGOs, companies, and youth-led initiatives will meet for a session designed to spark real partnerships across Geneva’s sustainability ecosystem. On the occasion of this event and to reflect on the achievements over the past five years in engaging young people in more than 169 countries, the Earth Prize flags will be featured on Mont Blanc bridge from 20 to 29 April 2026. - Earth Day & Sister Farm Mentoring Program and Network Launch | Organized by Climate Bridges | 22 April 2026, 9:00 CEST | Online, Zoom
On the occasion of Earth Day and the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Climate Bridges will launch of the Sister Farm Mentoring Program and Network and host an Open Dialogue with Members and Partners – including the UN Global Conscious Food Systems Alliance partners – working on climate and food systems transformation. - On the occasion of Earth Day, FAO and WMO are expected to release a report on extreme heat and agriculture on 22 April 2026
Spotlight on Pesticides
To foster an exchange between historical perspectives and contemporary expertise on pesticides, the Geneva Graduate Institute is hosting on 23 April 2026 the event “Pesticides Then and Now: Historical perspectives and Contemporary Regulations and Risks” as part of the Chemical Crossroads project. The project studies the historical role of international organizations – FAO, ILO and WHO – in mobilizing expertise, organizing debates, and formulating policies aimed at mitigating the risks associated with pesticide use in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Taking this occasion, we highlight below key resources that reflect recent developments in the global governance of pesticides.
A pesticide is defined as a substance, or mixture of substances of chemical or biological ingredients intended for repelling, destroying or controlling any pest, or regulating plant growth. By their nature, pesticides are potentially toxic to other organisms, including humans, and need to be used safely and disposed of properly. They are responsible for an estimated 200,000 acute poisoning deaths each year. Within this broad category, the Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) cause disproportionate harm to the environment and human health, and have been recognized by the UN Environment Programme as an issue of concern.
Various international instruments do address one or more aspects of the life cycle of pesticides. Some are legally binding,
while others are voluntary. These include:
- Global Framework on Chemicals
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
- Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent
- Basel Convention
- Montreal Protocol
- Minamata Convention
- WTO – SPS & TRIPS
- OECD – MAD
- FAO-WHO International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
- ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (N° 182)
- ILO Occupational Safety and Health Convention (N° 155)
Reports and other resources on pesticides include:
- UNEP published the Guidelines on Alternatives to Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in 2023. The guidelines identify the roles different stakeholders play in the process of replacing HHPs, and suggest how they can support each another to maintain agricultural productivity while protecting human health and the environment.
- The Synthesis Report on the Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers and Ways to Minimize Them: Envisioning a Chemical-safe World, was issued by UNEP in 2022 in response to resoltuion 3/4 of the 3rd Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, requesting “the Executive Director to present a report on the environmental and health impacts of pesticides and fertilizers and ways of minimizing them, given the lack of data in that regard, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other relevant organizations by the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly”.
- In 2017, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, and the former UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics, Baskut Tuncak, issued a joint report to the Human Rights Council on the Effects of pesticides on the right to food (A/HRC/34/48), highlighting the widely divergent standards of production, use and protection from hazardous pesticides in different countries are creating double standards, which are having a serious impact on human rights. Pesticides management and phase-out must be anchored in a human-rights-based approach to avoid fatalities, especially in developing countries where health, safety and environmental regulations were weaker.
- Linking the issue of pesticides to the human right to adequate food and nutrition, FIAN International has contributed to the momentum for change, including through:
- A study of local experiences from around the world. Transitioning to pesticide free food systems: people´s power and imagination released in 2021 takes a bottom-up human rights approach and showed that a transition towards agroeology is underway in many parts of the world. It also maps their concrete steps for other communities and for policymakers in a “key elements” paper which aims to support advocacy towards achieving pesticide-free environments.
- A recent briefing paper “Rural women, care and agrochemicals” highlighting women’s exposure to pesticides during care work, when they are washing contaminated clothes, preparing food, and fetching water.
- Alternative ways of controlling the pests or diseases, including agroecological approaches, do exist. Agroecology, commonly defined – an integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of food and agricultural systems – has gained increasing attention for its ability to deliver adequate yields while safeguarding human health and the rights of future generations. In Switzerland and beyond, a wide range of actors, including the Biovision Foundation, are advancing agroecology efforts to improve the framework conditions that support them.
- Several States have begun reviewing the authorization of PFAS pesticides, leading to partial bans. Exposure to PFAS, including PFAS pesticides, has made the headlines with the Forever Pollution Project – a cross-border interdisciplinary investigation involving 46 journalists and 29 media partners in 16 countries, with an expert group of 18 international academics and lawyers – that revealed and mapped, for the first time, the extent of PFAS contamination across Europe.
Launch of ISO 14001:2026
The new edition of ISO 14001, Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use – the internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS) – released last week, builds on a trusted framework used by hundreds of thousands of organizations worldwide. It provides a framework for organizations to design and implement an EMS, and continually improve their environmental performance. The framework encompasses various aspects, from resource usage and waste management to monitoring environmental performance and involving stakeholders in environmental commitments. The updated edition provides clearer guidance, easier navigation and stronger alignment with today’s environmental priorities such as climate change, biodiversity and resource efficiency. ISO 14001:2026 supports organizations of all sizes in improving environmental performance, managing risks and opportunities, and strengthening credibility, while making a tangible difference for the planet. → Read more in ISO press release.
More Happening Abroad
- G7 Environment Ministers’ Meeting | As part of its Presidency of the G7, France will host the Group of 7 (G7) Environment Ministers’ Meeting on 23 April 2026 in Paris. This meeting is one of a series of G7 ministerial meetings, which will culminate in the G7 Summit, in Evian, from 15 to 17 June 2026. Read more at:
- Secure, Responsible and Equitable Critical Minerals Value Chains | Patrick Schroeder, Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, Isabelle Ramdoo et al. | Think7 | 26 March 2026
- Petersberg Climate Dialogue 2026 | The 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue takes place in Berlin on 21 and 22 April 2026, organized in close cooperation with the designated COP31 Presidency Türkiye and Australia, the designated COP31 President of Negotiations. Ministers from over 40 countries have been invited to take part, alongside high-level stakeholders from civil society, the scientific community, the financial sector and industry. The event serves as a forum to discuss key priorities for the climate year 2026 and COP31, build political alliances and partnerships at an early stage, showcase positive examples of successful transformation and highlight the role of ambitious climate policy in economic development and competitiveness. → Follow via the livestream
- UNPFII Twenty-Fifth Session | The 25th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues takes place from 20 April to 1 May 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York. Held under the theme: “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict”, the environment will be discussed under Agenda Item 4 on the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum, which will feature the International expert group meeting (E/C.19/2026/3) on the theme “Recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the context of the climate crisis, biodiversity governance and territorial integrity: focusing on nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples, including pastoralists and shifting cultivators”, and under Agenda Item 5 (e), which will feature the Interregional, intergenerational and global dialogue “Indigenous Peoples and climate change: articles 3, 4, 25 and 26 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.
Enjoying a Green Spring in Geneva
With many back in Geneva and resuming work after the Easter break, our selection of suggestions to enjoy a Green Spring in Geneva this week include :
- Atelier-formation « Apprendre à fabriquer ses cosmétiques naturels » | 20 April 2026 | L’Art du Cosmétique au Naturel | Espace de quartier des Eaux-Vives
Get started with natural cosmetics and learn how to make your own homemade cosmetics in this first workshop out of 5 throughout April and May. Join this eco-friendly and enriching activity to discover the benefits of nature for self-care.
- Anatomie d’une puce | 21 April 2026 | Librairie du Boulevard
As the ecological crisis worsens, the digital sector is positioning itself as a key player in the transition, with Europe investing billions to relocate electronics production. In this talk, the StopMicro association presents its book Le Monde à l’envers, arguing that this “relocation” is largely a myth, and that microchips remain rooted in extractivist and colonial practices. - Lancement de la 3ème édition du salon Garderobes | 21 April 2026 | Bubble Ethic | Maison de l’Avenir
In preparation for the third edition of the Garderobe trade show in November 2026, this event invites you to brainstorm, network, and co-create the next edition to bring sustainable fashion to life and make it visible. - Marcher La Ville – Des maison pour les oiseaux, un par cet un préau accueillants | 22 April 2026 | La Libellule | Rendez-vous at Centre Nature de la Libellule
The activity begins with a small workshop at the nature center to build birdhouses, which will be installed in the park. Participants will also identify existing birdhouses and biodiversity features, including a visit to a covered area designed to promote an urban ecosystem. - Plantes succulentes et cactus | 22 April 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
Come discover these plants you’d rather not get too close to as you explore the botanical garden’s greenhouses. Why do cacti have such funny shapes and spines all over them? Become a succulent expert with the help of the Jardin Botanique’s amazing gardener - Atelier cosmétique enfants : fabrication sels de bain aux fleurs | 22 April 2026 | L’Art du Cosmétique au Naturel | Espace de quartier Eaux-Vives
In this Mother’s Day-themed workshop, children will make beautiful flower-petal bath salts that leave the skin feeling soft and fragrant – a heartfelt gift to their beloved Mom! - Earth Day Geneva 2026 : Bridging Possibilities | 23 April 2026 | Earth Foundation | Impact Hub Geneva
On Earth Day, the Earth Foundation will bring together leaders from foundations, NGOs, companies, and youth-led initiatives for a “Speed Dating for the Planet” session designed to foster meaningful partnerships across Geneva’s sustainability ecosystem. - Rencontre et table ronde avec Lucie Pinson de Reclaim Finance | 23 April 2026 | APRÈS-Ge | L’ESPACE
Lucie Pinson, founder of Reclaim Finance and recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize, works to align finance with social and environmental issues. This meeting and roundtable discussion will be dedicated to the issue of ethical finance. - Herbier sous-lacustres : des plantes essentielles pour l’ecosystème du Léman | 23 April 2026 | ASL | Espace Léman
Discover the fascinating world of Lac Léman’s aquatic plants. This activity invites you to explore the lake’s underwater plant beads which play a vital role in the lake’s ecosystem. Learn to identify Lac Léman’s iconic species, why they are so important to the ecosystem, and their role as indicators of the lake’s health. - Entre la nature et moi | 23 April 2026 | Espace de quartier Jonction
Activity organized every Thursday for seniors by Claudia Osorio, a Jonction resident, involving the artistic creation of objects using recycled materials. - Chroniques des Nations #5 – La culture pour faire territoire | 23 April 2026 | Territoire Nations | International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
This fifth meeting explores how culture, through practices, institutions, and creative work, shapes a shared territory. How does it foster connections and transform places into collective experiences? The event includes a discussion at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, followed by a visit to the Ariana Museum with a presentation and refreshments. - Inauguration du festival des 48h de l’agriculture urbaine | 24 April 2026 | Genève Cultive | Maison de l’avenir
Join this inauguration evening officially launching the festival. There will be a workshop on urban gardening, an apero, and a presentation of the festival. - Table ronde : Grandir et apprendre au Prérou | 24 April 2026 | Mouvement pour la Coopération Internationale | Maison Internationale des Associations
Discover the inspiring projects of four Geneva-based NGOs – Ecohumanita, emp’ACT, Kallpa, and MIC – that are active in rural areas of Latin America. They will discuss concrete results, impacts, challenges, and firsthand accounts from the field. - Luttes et résistances des peuples autochtones face aux dégradations environnementales ? | 25 April 2026 | Bibliothèques municipales de la Ville de Genève | Bibliothèque de la Cité
A gathering to explore how indigenous peoples are organizing to address environmental degradation, from the Amazon to Borneo, Southeast Asia, and the United States. The visit will continue with a workshop led by Nat Cardozo based on her album Origine, a tribute to Indigenous peoples whose survival is threatened and who have a different relationship with the natural world, to share with us. - Greta change le monde ! | 25 April 2026 | Bibliothèques municipales de la Ville de Genève | Bibliothèque de la Jonction
Based on the book “Greta Changes the World” and drawing inspiration from Greta Thunberg, we will explore how activist thinking begins: How do we make our voices heard? And how can images give strength to our convictions? This will be followed by a workshop with an illustrator allowing you to create an activist poster on a cause that is close to your heart. - Comment Genève a inventé son environnement, et vice-versa | 25 April 2026 | Bibliothèques municipales de la Ville de Genève | Bibliothèque de la Servette
A journey through the history and urban imagination of the Servette neighborhood, telling the story of how our city shaped its natural environment and vice-versa. - Marcher La Ville – La marche du temps profond | 25 April 2026 | Rendez-vous at Place des Grottes
This walk is designed to help participants grasp abstract numbers (particularly millions and billions of years), and through walking, physically feel the vastness of time at the heart of the adventure of life. This collective and sensory experience, offers a scientific understanding of the evolution of life on Earth over 4.5 billion years during a 4.6km walk. - Les 48h de l’Agriculture Urbaine | 25 & 26 April 2026 | Various Locations
For the eighth year, Geneva Cultive invites you to explore urban and suburban “green” projects across Greater Geneva. Venues will open their doors for free tours and workshops on agriculture, sustainable food, biodiversity, and community solidarity. - Au fil de l’eau : Parcours immersif pour enfants et familles | 26 April 2026 | Musée d’Ethnographie de Genève
A sensory and participatory experience along the water, listening to stories and imagining our futures, highlighting the importance of caring for what flows and connects all life. Along the way you will encounter the people of the Alaskan salmon, women who march and sing to protect the rivers, and Amazonian artists fighting against gold mining to defend their rivers. - Marcher La Ville – Bain de forêt – Parc Beaulieu | 26 April 2026 | Rendez-vous at Place des Grottes
Forest bathing which involves slow walks, moments of meditation and sensory activities, is scientifically proven to reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, and support cardiovascular health. - Kidical Mass 2026 | 26 April 2026 | Place des Bastions
The Kidical Mass returns for its 5th edition! An anniversary edition celebrating freedom and fun as we cycle through the streets of Geneva. Organized by PRO VELO, Genève, Kidical Mass is part of an international movement that, in 2024, brought together 200’000 participants in over 1’000 cities. - Mervelet en fête – Vide-grenier | 26 April 2026 | Mervelet
Join this neighborhood gathering, bringing residents together for a yard sale where you can enjoy second-hand finds, food, and children’s entertainment. - Festival Archipel – Musique et art sonore | Until 26 April 2026 | Salle communale de Plainpalais
Archipel is Switzerland’s leading international festival for contemporary music, experimental sound art, and musical creation founded in Geneva in 1992. It promotes all forms of musical research and sound art, helping to give them recognition and sustained visibility in Swiss cultural life. - Biodiversité en péril | Until 29 April 2026 | Bibliothèques municipales de la Ville de Genève | Bibliothèque de Saint-Jean
Public Eye’s regional groups, supported by the NGOs Public Eye and Swissaid, organized a traveling exhibition offering an overview of the evolution of seeds over the centuries, their importance in various local cultures, and the threats posed to them by the seed industry. - Exhibition – 40 Trees in the City of Geneva Through the Seasons | Until 31 May 2026 | Colladon Residence
A photo exhibit dedicated to the trees of Geneva, produced by the City of Geneva’s Parks and Recreation Department, that takes you on a journey through the city and helps you get to know the trees around us better. - Temporary Exhibition – « Jamais la nature ne nous trompe » | Until 23 December 2026 | Jardin botanique
Come and discover a scientific and aesthetic object that bears witness to Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s passion for nature and botany: one of his rare portable herbariums, designed to deepen knowledge of plants and awaken an interest in botany.
What (Else) to Read Next?
- Sectoral roadmaps as the backbone of transition planning: Linking NDCs, finance and the real economy | UNEP FI | 16 April 2026
This article draws on key insights from the Taskforce on Net Zero Policy’s COP30 report, Policy Matters: From Pledges to Delivery – A Decade After Paris, to which UNEP FI contributed as a participant in the taskforce. The article explores the role of sectoral roadmaps within the broader transition, including how they relate to NDCs, National Transition Plans (NTPs), sector transition plans (STPs), and corporate transition plans—and why they matter for financial institutions. - ‘A radical shift’: IUCN welcomes UN Special Rapporteur’s report on Cultural Rights in Conservation | IUCN | 16 April 2026
‘A paradigm shift needs to take place so that the protection of biodiversity is linked to the protection of cultural diversity, and vice versa’. So states the UN Special Rapporteur’s report on Cultural Rights in Conservation, which was presented to the UN Human Rights Council in February 2026. The report shines a spotlight on the special role of cultural rights in securing equitable and effective conservation outcomes, whilst noting the gaps that exist between policy and implementation. - One in five assessed soil species at risk of extinction, data needed for thousands more – study | IUCN | 15 April 2026
A new report led by Conservation International and IUCN, published today in Oryx, warns that over 40% of more than 8,500 soil‑dependent species are at risk of extinction or Data‑Deficient on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. - I recently returned to Sudan where an environmental crisis threatens to sicken and kill long after the bullets stop flying | Mouna Zein, UNEP | 14 April 2026
History has shown that conflict and environmental degradation can re-enforce each other in a dangerous cycle. Khartoum cannot return to being a functioning city with sewage covering its streets and floodwaters lapping at its doorsteps. In Sudan, the path to long-term peace must include the mending of the country’s environmental scars. - Türkiye sets COP31 dates and appoints Australian cattle farmer as youth champion | Climate Change News | 14 April 2026
In an open letter, COP-31 President-designated, Murat Kurum gives details of the October Pacific pre-COP and the November COP31 leaders’ summit in the Turkish city of Antalya.
- Almost half of European freshwater fishes at risk of extinction, new IUCN Red List reveals | IUCN | 13 April 2026
The updated European Red List of Freshwater Fishes reveals little evidence of species recovery and calls for urgent action to protect Europe’s aquatic biodiversity. Nearly six in ten native European freshwater fish species are now of elevated conservation concern, according to the assessment, which evaluated all 558 native species. The findings show that 42% are threatened with extinction, while an additional 18% are classified as Near Threatened. - Switzerland renews long-standing IUCN partnership with reaffirmed commitment to investing in nature | IUCN | 13 April 2026
IUCN welcomes the renewal of its framework agreement with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), reaffirming a long-standing partnership dedicated to advancing global conservation and sustainable development. - Ecocide in Venezuela: Oil, mining and the risks of foreign investment | Global Witness | 13 April 2026
As Western oil and mining companies move back into Venezuela, satellite data reveals oil spills, toxic pollution and deforestation, exposing the environmental risks of renewed foreign investment. -
UNECE Resource Management Week 2026: Managing resources for the energy transition | UNECE | 13 April 2026
As demand for critical minerals and energy resources continues to grow, while supply is increasingly impacted by geopolitical dynamics, attention should be laser-focused on how these resources are managed. The UNECE Resource Management Week 2026 (27 April – 1 May, Geneva) will show how resources should be managed in the energy transition and how this work supports attaining energy security, affordability and sustainability. - Honduras must implement Group of Experts recommendations on Berta Cáceres case, says UN expert | OHCHR | 10 April 2026
The Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI), through the Agreement signed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the State of Honduras, and the representing party, was created in February 2025 to advance investigation of the facts related to the murder of human rights defender Berta Cáceres and propose a comprehensive plan for reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. On 12 January 2026, it published its final report in which it concludes that the death of Berta Cáceres was the result of a planned criminal operation, executed through an organized structure involving the joint participation of various actors, including groups of hired gunmen and corporate executives. The GIEI highlights the context of cover-up and omission by State agents and international financiers. - Transnational corporations treaty must include environment, centre defenders, communities | ISHR | 10 April 2026
At the latest intersessional meetings of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on business and human rights, States, legal experts and civil society organisations discussed key articles including scope, mutual legal assistance and future implementation of the Legally Binding Instrument. - Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2026: Implementing the Sevilla Commitment | UN DESA | 9 April 2026
With only four years to go until the delivery date of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world is rapidly moving backward due to increasing global fragmentation, rising trade barriers, heightened geopolitical tensions and conflicts, and widespread climate related disasters. The report shows how the Sevilla Commitment can be operationalized to reverse the current trends in financing for development, even in these most difficult circumstances.
- Microbial rights for a planetary age | Anthony Rizk, Emily Jones, Anne Saab, Adam Strobeyko et al. | Earth System Governance | June 2026
The research proposes two post-anthropocentric approaches to microbial rights: Rights to Microbes, advocating for the protection of microbial functions instrumental for the survival of all life forms; and Rights of Microbes, which calls for recognizing the intrinsic and relational values of microbes as integral to planetary processes, and as deserving of rights in and of themselves. It explores the respective potentials of both approaches as different ways of prioritizing microbial rights.
Events
See all
Conference
Meeting of Experts on Occupational Safety and Health in Extreme Weather Events and Changing Weather Patterns
20 – 24 Apr 2026
ILO
ILO
Conference
29th Session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development
20 – 24 Apr 2026
Palais des Nations | Assembly Hall
UNCTAD
Conference
Sustainable Buildings & Constructions Summit
20 – 22 Apr 2026
SwissTech Convention Center | Lausanne
EPFL, UNEP
Conference
G3IS Stakeholder Consultations and User Summit 2026
20 – 22 Apr 2026
WMO Headquarters
WMO
Conference
Regional Forum For Sustainable Development 2026 Pre-Meetings
20 Apr 2026
Palais des Nations | Room XVI & Room XII
UNECE
Conference
Innovative Action for the SDGs through Education for Sustainable Development | RFSD 2026
20 Apr 2026 | 10:00 – 11:15
Palais des Nations | S-225-4 & Online | Webex
UNEP Europe Office, GEN, UNECE, Cyprus, Slovenia
Conference
Education for Biodiversity: Accelerating Delivery of the Global Biodiversity Framework | RFSD 2026
20 Apr 2026 | 11:45 – 13:00
Palais des Nations | S-225-4 & Online | Webex
Cyprus, Slovenia, Armenia, UNEP Europe Office, UNESCO, UNECE, CBD, GEN
Conference
Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region 2026
21 – 22 Apr 2026
Palais des Nations, Room Tempus, XVI, XII
UNECE
Conference
Digital on the Edge: Accelerating Digital Technology Readiness for the 2030 Agenda in Climate Extremes | RFSD 2026 Side Event
21 Apr 2026 | 08:30 – 09:45
Palais des Nations Room H-207/8/9 & Online
Imperial College London, UNU-Merit, WIPO, GEO
Virtual
Online Global Dialogue Workshop to Promote the Use of IPBES Products in Decision-Making
21 Apr 2026 | 11:00 – 13:00
Online | Zoom
IPBES
Conference
From Local Voices to Global Action: Women Leaders Driving Climate & Disaster Resilience | RFSD 2026 Side Event
21 Apr 2026 | 13:15 – 14:45
Palais des Nations Concordia | Room 4
UNDP, UNDRR
Conference
Youth Perspectives on SDG 7 Implementation in the UNECE Region: From Regional Action to the HLPF | RFSD 2026 Side Event
21 Apr 2026 | 13:15 – 14:45
Palais des Nations, Room H.207-9
UNECE, OSCE, UNDP
Virtual
Environment, Climate, Conflict and Peacebuilding (ECCP): April Monthly Meeting
21 Apr 2026 | 14:00 – 15:00
Online | Zoom
ECCP
Virtual
From Lessons to Action: Actions to Avert, Minimise and Address Climate and Disaster Related Biodiversity and Ecosystem Losses | Loss & Damage Working Group Webinar Series
21 Apr 2026 | 14:30 – 16:00
Online | Go To Webinar
PEDRR
Conference
Climate x Conflict Conference
22 – 23 Apr 2026
Geneva Graduate Institute
IHEID Environmental Committee
Virtual
Webinar on Drought Monitoring and Early Warnings in RA VI
22 Apr 2026 | 09:00 – 12:45
Online
WMO
Virtual
Earth Day – Launch of the Sister Farms Initiative
22 Apr 2026 | 09:00
Online | Zoom
Climate Bridges
Workshop
Training Workshop on State and Outlook Reporting on the Environment and Application of Foresight Techniques
22 Apr 2026 | 10:00 – 18:00
Palais des Nations, Room H.207 & Online
UNECE
Virtual
ICMGP and Minamata Convention
22 Apr 2026 | 12:00 – 13:00
Online | Webex
Minamata Convention
Conference
SDGs Local Implementation: What Comes after the 1st (initial) VLR? | RFSD 2026 Side Event
22 Apr 2026 | 13:15 – 14:40
Villa Rigot & Online | Zoom
Global Cities Hub - Geneva, UNECE, UN-Habitat
Local
Earth Day Geneva 2026: Bridging Possibilities Workshop
22 Apr 2026 | 13:30 – 16:30
Impact Hub Geneva
The Earth Foundation
Virtual
Implementing Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) for Fulfilling International and National Commitments to Mitigate Pollution | Escazu COP 4 Side Event
22 Apr 2026 | 15:00 – 16:30
Palais des Nations | S-225.4 & Online | Webex
Aarhus Convention, Minamata Convention, GEN
Virtual
Environment, Climate, Conflict and Peacebuilding (ECCP): Peace@COP31 Community Call
22 Apr 2026 | 15:00 – 16:00
Online | Zoom
ECCP
Conference
4th Europe and Central Asia Food Systems Transformation Meeting
23 – 24 Apr 2026
Palais des Nations, Room XI & Online
FAO
Body Meeting
28th Session of the Working Group on Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
23 – 24 Apr 2026
Palais des Nations | Room IX
UNECE
Conference
Pesticides: Then and Now Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Regulations and Risks
23 Apr 2026 | 12:30 – 14:00
Maison de la Paix | The Fab
IHEID
Conference
Geneva Launch of the Global Conscious Food Systems Summit in Bhutan
23 Apr 2026 | 14:00 – 15:00
Palais des Nations, Room V
UNDP Geneva
Workshop
How to Measure and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
23 Apr 2026 | 17:15 – 19:15
SDG Solution Space
UNIGE, 2050Today
Virtual
ISO-GHG Protocol Product-Level Carbon Accounting: What’s Next?
24 Apr 2026 | 15:00
Online
ISO
Jobs
See all
Consultant
Junior Consultant – Sustainable Fiscal Policy and Public Finance
25 Apr 2026
UNEP Industry Innovation Branch