Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 20 – 26 May 2024

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

Image of the week | The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, speaking at the 2024 Geneva Dialogues on Human Rights and Climate Change, held on 14 May 2024 at Palais des Nations. Discussions highlighted how Geneva-based human rights institutions are contributing to further advancing human rights-based climate action.

This week at the height of Spring, International Geneva is celebrating biodiversity, with various events, moments, and activities that places the spotlight on nature and highlights the importance of advancing biodiversity action.

Celebrating Biodiversity Day | International Geneva Implementing the Biodiversity Plan

The International Day for Biodiversity is celebrated every year on 22 May, commemorating the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992. The 2024 edition theme “Be part of the Plan” is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as The Biodiversity Plan.

Biodiversity and nature conservation are mainstreamed in the multilateral activities of international Geneva, home to some of the key institutions that actively contribute to setting the global agenda to tackle the biodiversity crisis. In the lead-up to the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD that will take place from 21 October to 1 November 2024 in Cali, Colombia, this year’s Geneva Biodiversity Day celebration is the occasion to bring together governments, intergovernmental organizations, multi-lateral environmental agreements, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and other civil society organizations to highlight international Geneva’s role in implementing the Biodiversity Plan, including mobilizing and bolstering its means of implementation. → Register on Indico to participate in the event taking place at Palais des Nations in Room III on 22 May 2024 from 10:00 to 12:15 CEST. The event will be preceded by a light breakfast.

Celebrating World Bee Day | Bee Engaged with Youth

20 May marks World Bee Day, a momentous occasion to raise awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping. Focused on the theme, “Bee engaged with Youth”, this year’s celebration recognizes the pivotal role that youth can play in addressing challenges bees and other pollinators are facing while highlighting the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as the future stewards of our environment.

In this light, the International Geneva celebration will provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, fostering intergenerational exchange with the youth and inspiring action towards a more sustainable future for bees and other pollinators. → Register for the in-person event taking place at Palais des Nations, Building H auditorium, on 21 May 2024, from 10:00 to 11:30 CEST. Consult our dedicated page to learn more about World Bee Day and the role of Geneva.

Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge

Negotiations of a proposed treaty relating to intellectual property, genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources are expected to conclude this week at WIPO headquarters. WIPO Member States are finalizing two decades of discussions. The Diplomatic Conference marks indeed the last step in negotiations to conclude a part of the work conducted by the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) established in 2000. → Read WIPO’s press release.

Article 31 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides that “Indigenous Peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect, and develop their … genetic resources” and traditional knowledge. It also provides that “states shall take effective measures to recognize and protect the exercise of these rights… in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples.” When their Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge are impacted, their “Free, Prior and Informed Consent” will be essential in the implementation of the legal regime. Therefore, at the opening of the Conference, Indigenous communities reiterated:

That the instrument should enshrine implementation in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples.
That Indigenous Peoples who are the origin or source of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge must be disclosed.

These principles are fundamental to the legitimacy of this instrument. Without them, this instrument will not be fair or effective in protecting, respecting, and promoting our rights regarding genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

Green Spring Activities to Enjoy Nature and Biodiversity in Geneva

Other activities organized in the context of the International Biodiversity Day 2024 include:

Fête de la nature. En nature Simone! | For its 13th edition, Fête de la nature is an invitation to get out and discover ecosystems and protect them. With over a hundred activities to discover local nature, this edition will highlight little-known treasures of urban biodiversity. Check out the programme and enjoy nature from 22 to 26 May 2024.
On 22 May, discover nature around the Museum of Natural History with thematic walks around Parc Malagnou to discover birds, dragonflies, bats and more!
The Incredible Orchids of Canton Geneva | As part of Destination Ma Nature, a series of monthly free discovery tours offering an introduction to local nature, the activity of the month May is dedicated to orchids. → Register from 21 May to participate in the tour on 25 May

Whether you are enjoying a long weekend on the occasion of Whit Monday (lundi de Pentecôte) or are in need of getting back to nature, celebrate the height of the green spring with more activities taking place in Geneva and beyond:

Rencontres Arts & Nature | This event brings together professional artists and scientists, forestry engineers, biologists, therapists and doctors to raise awareness of trees, forests, plantations and urban gardens in the context of climate change. Join the many events taking place from 23 to 26 May 2024 from 13:00 onwards at Parc La Perle du Lac (meeting in front of the Museum of Sciences History).
Fête du Paysage et des jardins | From 24 to 26 May 2024, Fête du Paysage and for the Concours romand des apprentis paysagistes takes place at Parc la Grange to raise awareness among the public in French-speaking Switzerland of the diversity and richness of the landscape professions, and to bring together all the players and stakeholders in the field in a spirit of exchange and conviviality.
Les 48h de l’agriculture urbaine | The festival hosts a multitude of participatory events to introduce everyone to urban agriculture thanks to the many gardeners that will be opening their doors to share their passion with everyone. Check out the programme and join the various workshops offered on Saturday, 25 May (right bank) and Sunday, 26 May (left bank) from 09:00 to 17:00 CEST.
Nuit des Musées 2024 | On Saturday, 25 May 2024, 27 cultural and scientific institutions will open their doors to the public for the 10th edition of Museum Night, with 130 activities on the theme of matter.
Banquets Urbains in Paquis | Observing the tradition in place since the second half of the 19th century onwards of organizing open-air banquets in neighborhoods to commemorate historic events or people who played a key role in our history, Geneva Mayor Alfonso Gomez is reviving the tradition to highlight climate-related themes, and in particular food in a festive atmosphere. Join the one organized in the Paquis neighborhood on Sunday, 25 May from 11:30 CEST.
12ème édition de Net’Léman | Net’Léman is an initiative to clean up the shores and depths of Lake Geneva in ten or so areas around the lake. It brings together volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, certified dive teams, paddleboarders, sailors and other lake partners, to preserve the beauty and health of Lake Geneva. Join the initiative for its 12th edition on 25 and 26 May 2024.
Walk the Talk Geneva 2024 | The Walk the Talk: Health for All Challenge returns on Sunday, 26 May 2024 to provide a healthy kickstart to the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly. WHO is joining with the UN family, Member States, athletes, local sports clubs health partners and the Geneva community to celebrate the importance of healthy lifestyles and demonstrate measures to safely conduct public events. People of all ages and abilities will gather at Place des Nations from approximately 09:00, when fun warm-ups start, before the 09:30 official opening.

Happening Abroad

10th World Water Forum: Water for Shared Prosperity | The 10th edition of the World Water Forum, one of the largest international gatherings among water sector-related stakeholders held every three years, is held under the theme, “Water for Shared Prosperity”, from 18 to 25 May 2024 in Bali, Indonesia.

4th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-4) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) | SBI-4 is taking place from 21 to 29 May 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. → Follow the Earth Negotiation Bulletin live coverage

What (Else) to Read Next?

Global Analysis on Crimes that Affect the Environment | UNODC | 19 May 2024
This report is a robust exploration of what crimes that affect the environment are, how they are committed, the role of organized crime groups and corruption, what drives people and corporations to commit crimes that affect the environment, what are the supply chain structures of illegal environmental commodities, what does this all mean for improved policies and prevention strategies, and what are the impacts of crimes that affect the environment.
8th UNECE International PPP Forum calls for global resilience and climate action | UNECE | 17 May 2024
In her opening remarks at the 8th edition of the UNECE International PPP Forum, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean emphasized the urgency of accelerating the implementation of the SDGs and climate action through sustainable Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and infrastructure finance.
What Makes Minerals and Metals “Critical”? | Isabelle Ramdoo, Grégoire Bellois, Murtiani Hendriwardani | IGF | 16 May 2024
This practical guide provides a series of questions that may guide governments when considering the design of strategic policies and roadmaps with respect to the minerals and metals they produce and/or need for resilient industrial supply chains. This publication is designed to support governments in defining what should be considered as “strategic” or “critical” based on a series of objective criteria, such as their mineral endowments, their national development objectives and priorities, their decarbonization and industrialization pathways, and their importance (and role) in global supply chains.
How to Quantify and Measure Loss and Damage Associated with Displacement? | The Loss & Damage Collaboration | 16 May 2024
This document is the outcome of a discussion convened jointly by the Loss And Damage and The Challenges of Human Mobility and Displacement Working Group and the Advisory Group on Climate Change and Human Mobility that considered “How to Quantify and Measure Loss and Damage Associated with Displacement?”
WTO Members formally accept Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
Last week, two WTO members deposited their instruments of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. With Lao PDR formally accepting the agreement on 13 May and Mauritius on 14 May 2024, the number of the tally of formal acceptances advances to 75.
Global projections of heat exposure of older adults | Giacomo Falchetta, Enrica De Cian, Ian Sue Wing & Deborah Carr | Nature Communications | 14 May 2024
The global population is aging at the same time as heat exposures are increasing due to climate change. Age structure, and its biological and socio-economic drivers, determine populations’ vulnerability to high temperatures. […] Results of this study facilitate regional heat risk assessments and inform public health decision-making.
World Wildlife Crime Report 2024 | UNODC| 13 May 2024
The report found that despite positive signs in reducing trafficking impacts for some iconic species like elephants and rhinoceros – wildlife trafficking overall has not been substantially reduced over two decades. More consistent enforcement to tackle both supply and demand, effective implementation of legislation, including anti-corruption laws, and stronger monitoring and research are needed.
It is time to seek justice for environmental war crimes | Margot Wallström and Mary Robinson | Al Jazeera | 11 May 2024
War is horrific for people, communities and nations. The abuses they suffer demand our immediate attention, compassion and action. While some violations are clear and there are mechanisms and institutions to investigate them and offer recourse, others are not so apparent. One example of the latter is environmental war crimes.
Environmental DNA | IUCN | May 2024
Analyses of eDNA offer a highly sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective method to detect the presence of species and assess wildlife communities and biodiversity. This information can be used to inform the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM and other conservation tools, as well as for the management of wildlife and natural resources.