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

Image of the week | The President-Designate of COP30, H.E. Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, was in Geneva on 17 September 2025 to address the international community on preparations for the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference in Belém. A global briefing took place at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), where everything “was born”, as highlighted by WMO Secretary General in her opening statement. Prof. Celeste Saulo was referring to the Second World Climate Conference held in Geneva in 1990, which undertook a review of the First Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and called for the elaboration of a framework treaty on climate change and necessary protocols in time for adoption by the UN Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992. Other important moments included a briefing at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum, where the president announced a new forum on climate and trade at COP30, and an exchange with the Green Digital Action community on how digital solutions can accelerate climate action.

Environment @ 60th Session of the Human Rights Council

Environment and human rights continue to remain high on the agenda of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC60) as it moves into its third week in Geneva.

→ Consult regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC60, side events, and further resources available on our dedicated HRC60 and the environment update.

The human rights of Indigenous Peoples is high on the agenda of the Council this week:

  • The Human Rights Council is holding its annual half-day panel discussion on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, under the theme “Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the context of a just transition to sustainable energy systems, including in relation to critical minerals” on 24 September 2025. As the world increasingly shifts toward renewable energy and the extraction of critical minerals intensifies, Indigenous Peoples face mounting pressure on their lands, territories and resources. This transition, if not guided by human rights obligations, risks deepening existing inequalities, marginalization and environmental injustices. Despite innovative approaches Indigenous Peoples bring to sustainable energy, policy and legal frameworks pertaining to the energy transition often fail to integrate Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives and rights. This panel discussion will explore how human rights-based approaches, anchored in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, can help safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the context of the energy transition.
  • The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert K. Barume, will present his annual report to the Human Rights Council on “Recognition of Indigenous Peoples” (A/HRC/60/29) in an Interactive Dialogue scheduled to take place on 23 September 2025. The report addressed the misunderstandings regarding the recognition of Indigenous Peoples that continue to hamper the implementation of UNDRIP and other international instruments on Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
  • The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will also present the report to the Council on Right of “Indigenous Peoples to data, including with regard to data collection and disaggregation” in an Interactive Dialogue scheduled to take place on 24 September 2025.
  • Various side events are also taking place this week:

The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is also in focus this week in the margins of the Council, with a focus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, anticipated to be signed by ASEAN leaders at the October 2025 Summit in Kuala Lumpur. This will be the region’s first environmental rights framework, echoing elements of the Aarhus Convention, for Europe and Central Asia, and the Escazú Agreement, for Latin America and the Caribbean. Built on years of work by ASEAN Member States and supported by a network of civil society organizations and experts, its adoption presents both opportunities and challenges for strengthening rights-based environmental governance and advancing implementation at the national and regional levels.

Other events this week to take note of include:

Relevant news and updates include:

Honouring Frontline Defenders of Land, Natural Resources and the Environment

This week, the protection of environmental human rights defenders is also high on the agenda. The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will be launching its latest report on “Enforced Disappearances in the Context of the Defence of Land, Natural Resources, and the Environment” (A/HRC/60/35/Add.4), in the margins of the 137th session of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, convening from 15 to 24 September 2025 at Palais des Nations. This session coincided with the presentation of its annual report to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council on 16 September 2025 and a series of other reports, including this new thematic report. → Read the press released

The report examines the alarming global trend of enforced disappearances targeting individuals defending land, natural resources, and the environment and how these disappearances often occur in contexts of systemic discrimination, weakened rule of law, and powerful economic interests, with the complicity or acquiescence of State authorities. The report concludes with a series of recommendations for States, businesses, and international organizations to prevent these crimes, ensure accountability, and provide holistic reparations to victims and affected communities. → Join the launch event taking place on 22 September 2025, from 15:30 – 17:00 CEST at Palais des Nations, Room IX or via the livestream.

Last week, Global Witness released its latest report on the global state of land and environmental human rights defenders, entitled “Roots of resistance: Documenting the global struggles of defenders protecting land and environmental rights“:

  • Dedicated to all those individuals, communities and organizations bravely speaking out or taking action to defend their rights to land and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the report highlights that at least 146 people were murdered or disappeared for defending their land, communities or the environment in 2024 — a number that is underestimated as underreporting remains an issue globally, particularly across Asia and Africa.
  • They were all attacked after speaking out or taking action to defend their right to land and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Many were opposing harmful extractive projects, like mining, logging or agribusiness. Others were challenging systemic problems, like land inequality, environmental destruction and organised crime. Indigenous Peoples were victims of around a third of lethal attacks, despite making up around 6% of the global population.
  • In the face of land grabbing, intimidation and harassment, States must guarantee the land rights of rural communities and Indigenous Peoples through comprehensive land reforms that redistribute land and promote fairer land ownership. This should involve all government and business projects securing the free, prior and informed consent of affected Indigenous and traditional communities through meaningful consultation. This is stipulated in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (ILO Convention 169) and the UN Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests.

Learn more about the steps taken by the international community in Geneva to protect, promote, and uphold the rights of environmental defenders in our dedicated update.

It is also to be noted that the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, in her final report to the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, entitled “Raising their voices: HRDs respond to the human rights crisis“, wishes to bring the voice of human rights defenders directly to the Council. At a time when the international human rights system is facing unprecedented challenges, the UN Special Rapporteur believes it is more important than ever that States hear directly from human rights defenders. The deadline for submission is on 30 September 2025. → Submit your input

Historic Achievement for the Ocean and for Multilateralism

Last week, just days after the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies entered into force, the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction — BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty — reached the milestone of 60 ratifications, following deposits by Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, and Morocco. This triggered its entry into force on 17 January 2026, providing a global framework to advance international biodiversity goals, including the commitment to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Reactions from the international community to the monumental achievement for ocean conservation include:

Advancing Climate Action

Advancing action to tackle climate change stays high on the international environmental agenda with the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 in Belém, Brazil, less than two months away. On 24 September, during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, the Secretary-General will convene a Special High-Level Event on Climate Action. The event will serve as a platform for world leaders to unveil new national climate plans and build momentum, ahead of COP30. These plans must reflect bold action for the next decade, paving the way for a just, resilient and low-carbon future. → Follow through the Earth Negotiation Bulletin and UN WebTV

As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement this year, the Permanent Mission of France is launching a series of partner events next week in Geneva. These celebrations will honor this pivotal milestone while mobilizing key stakeholders and reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateral climate action in the lead-up to COP30.

Recently released reports include:

Events taking place this week include:

Additional news on climate change include:

Launch of the “Maison de l’Avenir” or House of the Future

From the end of September 2025, a new space inspired by the concept of planetary boundaries hosted by Impact Hub Geneva open its doors. Faced with current challenges and sustainability issues, the “Maison de l’Avenir” aims to be a lively space, open to all, dedicated to raising awareness, providing information, promoting debate and encouraging local action. Located close to the railway station in the heart of Geneva, this center aims to reconnect citizens with major environmental issues by providing them with the keys to understanding and experimenting with new, more sustainable practices — beneficial not only for the planet but also for their quality of life and well-being. The opening is scheduled on Tuesday 23 September at 18:15 CEST.

International Geneva @ UNGA High-Level Week

Every September, world leaders, diplomats, and advocates, including heads of agencies and experts from Geneva, gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly — one of the most important moments on the global diplomatic calendar. This year, the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly – held under the theme Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights – comes at a pivotal moment to renew global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity and shared action for people and planet. The High-Level Week, taking place from 22 to 30 September 2025, underscores the urgency of delivering on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals and revitalizing international cooperation. All events are live-streamed on UN WebTV.

Internship Opportunity with the GENeva Environment Network

The Geneva Environment Network has opened a new internship position in event planning. With various environmental topics being tackled by multitudes of organizations in Geneva, this internship is an opportunity to help in increasing cooperation and networking among stakeholders. → If you are interested in the environment and multilateralism in International Geneva, keen to plan and support events, and fulfill the requirements, apply through the UN Careers portal by 1 October 2025.

Call for Submissions, Registrations and Contests | Upcoming Deadlines

With the environment high on the agenda of International Geneva and beyond, international processes, negotiations, and fora regularly call for inputs in preparation for future reports and guidelines or for people to support their process. A dedicated update lists calls for submissions related to the environment. Additional updates also list those related to Human Rights Mechanisms and ongoing contests launched by our partners. Deadlines not to be missed during the coming weeks include:

  • Call for Nominations for Reviewers for the Seventh Edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) Summary for Policy Makers (SPM) | The Ad Hoc Open-ended Seventh Edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) Summary for Policy Makers (SPM) Review and Approval Meeting will take place in person at UNEP’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27 October to 31 October 2025. Member States are requested to submit nomination letters with the name(s), title(s) and contact details of nominated participants to the GEO Secretariat (unep-ewad-geohead@un.org) and register online no later than 25 September 2025 through Indico.
  • UNEA-7 Draft Resolution Submission | The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) will take place from 8 to 12 December 2025 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, on the theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet”. All draft resolutions and decisions should be submitted by the main proponent via the “e-Proposals” module on the e-deleGATE platform by 29 September 2025, ten weeks in advance of UNEA-7.
  • Raising their voices: HRDs respond to the human rights crisis | In her final report to the Human Rights Council at its 61st session, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders wishes to bring the voice of human rights defenders directly to the Council. At a time when the international human rights system is facing unprecedented challenges, the Special Rapporteur believes it is more important than ever that States hear directly from human rights defenders. As such, she seeks input from human rights defenders on how they view their human rights work, the environment in which that work takes place and changes they would like to see for the greater support of their work. The deadline for submission is 30 September 2025. → Submit your input
  • Call for nominations of members of the Multidisciplinary Experts Panel of IPBES | IPBES members are invited to submit to the secretariat nominations of candidates for the Multidisciplinary Experts Panel of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). In accordance with Rule 26 of the rules of procedure, candidates for the MEP are to be proposed by members of the Platform for nomination by the regions and elected by the Plenary. National focal points are invited to submit their proposals for candidate by completing the nomination form, including the submission of a curriculum vitae of the nominee by 30 September 2025.
  • Youth and Children interested in joining the Children and Youth Delegation to the 2025 Minamata Conference of the Parties (COP-6) either as funded or self-funded, can express their interest through the dedicated form by 6 October 2025 for non-funded registration support.

Upcoming conferences for which registration is open include:

  • UNECE Sustainable Energy Week 2025 | The Sustainable Energy Week 2025, taking place from 29 September to 2 October, will focus on just transition for building resilient energy systems and will bring together a community of experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders to inform discussions, share experiences, formulate recommendations, and present country policies and actions. → Register here
  • Becoming Nature Positive | Becoming Nature Positive, a landmark new book bringing together global leaders in sustainability, business, and policy will be launched during a dedicated event on 6 October 2025, where the authors behind Becoming Nature Positive explain how we can grasp a nature positive future with both hands. Through personal stories, deep expertise, cross-cultural alignments, scientific rigor and practical ideas for action, each co-author offers a crucial perspective on how to achieve a nature-positive world. → Register here

More Happening Abroad

21st Meeting of the Chemical Review Committee (CRC-21) | The twenty-first meeting of the Chemical Review Committee of the Rotterdam Convention will take place from 23 to 26 September 2025 in Rome, Italy, back-to-back with the 21st meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention. Pre-meetings of the intersessional task groups will be held on 22 September 2025. The Committee is scheduled to review up to 30 new notifications of final regulatory action in accordance with the criteria set out in Annex II to the Convention, as listed below. The Committee will also continue reviewing notifications of final regulatory action on carbaryl, chlorfenvinphos, ethion, methidathion, phenthoate, profenofos, prothiofos, quinalphos and thiodicarb, as well as three proposals for listing severely hazardous pesticide formulations discussed during the twentieth meeting but consideration of which was not completed at that meeting. → Follow the live coverage by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin

Enjoying a Green Autumn in Geneva

The autumnal equinox — also called the September equinox or the fall equinox — arrives this year on Monday, 22 September. In the northern hemisphere, not only do temperatures drop, but plant life slows down, and so do we. Days become shorter than nights as the sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. With the arrival of Autumn, nature changes its colors and Geneva offers many opportunities to enjoy its landscapes around the lake and its numerous parks. Find suggestions of exhibitions, nature trails, shows, music and festivals for a Green Autumn in Geneva. Suggestions for this week include:

  • RE:PAS Challenge 2025 | From 22 to 28 September 2025 | Geneva
    This event is dedicated to companies and organizations looking for a concrete, easy-to-implement activity that addresses sustainability issues, promotes best practices and creates positive interactions among teams. Taking part in RE:PAS CHALLENGE is about creating a new habit and reducing the amount of disposable waste, but is also simple and fun, proving that collective action can make a difference. 
  • Conférence sur les plastiques dans le Léman et les bonnes pratiques | 24 September 2025 | Evian
    In collaboration with the City of Evian and the Port of Les Mouettes Harbor Master’s Office, the ASL invites you on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Palais Lumière auditorium. This event is part of European Sustainable Development Week. 
  • Bricolage pour les oiseaux | 24 September 2025 | Conservatoire et jardin botaniques
    When fall and winter arrive, birds sometimes need a little help. Come and make a bird feeder to help them get through the cold season. It will also be an opportunity to learn how to recognize the birds that can easily be spotted in the city. Chickadees, sparrows, robins, and nuthatches will hold no secrets for you.
  • L’éloge de l’arbre | 24, 27 & 28 September 2025 | La Ferme de Mamajah
    Three days of intergenerational activities to awaken, explore, and craft plant-based decorations with your own hands using nature’s resources—a collective eco-creation in a place that promotes authenticity, imagination, conviviality, and fulfillment for all!
  • Visite guidée à travers le parc des Bastions | 25 September 2025 | Parc des Bastions
    The oldest park in the city center, Parc des Bastions is an iconic location in the heart of Geneva. As you stroll along the “Belle Promenade,” your guide Emilie will take you on a journey through three centuries of history, from the imposing Reformation Wall to the majestic Palais Eynard, passing by the historic buildings of the University. 
  • Apéritif de Rentrée du Club suisse de la presse | 25 September 2025 | Domaine de Penthes
    The Swiss Press Club invites its members, the media, and its partners to a back-to-school cocktail party! You are invited to a friendly back-to-school cocktail party on Thursday, September 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Domaine de Penthes. This will be an opportunity for the Swiss Press Club to bid farewell to its director, Isabelle Falconnier, and welcome Géraldine Savary, who will succeed her on October 1.
  • Vol plein sud au col de Jaman | 27 September 2025 | Col de Jaman
    The Col de Jaman and its bird-ringing station are a unique site in Switzerland for observing bird migration. From early August to mid-October, birds are captured, ringed, and released as part of scientific monitoring. This visit offers a rare opportunity to observe both migratory and local species up close, with stunning views over Lake Geneva.
  • Sauvons les hérissons ! | 27 September 2025 | Parc des Evaux
    Hedgehogs are gardeners’ best friends because they love to eat slugs. Yum! Through games and a visit to the “SOS Hérissons” hedgehog rescue center, you’ll learn about all the dangers hedgehogs face and all the ways you can help these animals.
  • La vie secrète des arbres | 27 September 2025 | Bois d’Humilly
    We see them every day around us, but do we know how to recognize them? And how do they live, what are their dynamics? A passionate naturalist will introduce you to the fantastic life of trees through a walk in the forest with treasure hunts, artistic activities, and moments of immersion.
  • De l’arbre à la page | 27 September 2025 | Bibliothèque de la Servette
    Join to create a mini illustrated book, from the cover to the pages, including hand-sewn binding. Inside, you will recycle pages from old library books to give them a new lease of life. You will use Indian ink to draw trees, their leaves, fruits, bark, and silhouettes, as observed in the neighborhood park.
  • La cueillette des 4 saisons: Amusons-nous à repenser notre alimentation avec ma-terre ! | 27 September 2025 | Bibliothèque de Saint-Jean
    Take part in an enriching and collaborative experience to question and open up discussion about our food consumption and discover how small changes in our eating habits can have a big impact on our planet. You can participate without registering, and each round of the game lasts between 10 and 20 minutes.
  • La ville est à vous Pâquis | 27 & 28 September 2025 | Pâquis
    For the weekend, the streets of Pâquis become pedestrianized, host a garage sale, and are transformed into a place of celebration and encounter between neighbors, families, friends, and strangers. Instead of a flea market stall, anyone can occupy a section of the street to offer entertainment, games, or any other festive, fun, or cultural activity.
  • Prendre racine – Hommes et plantes en exil | Until 28 September 2025 | Cheseaux-Noréaz
    The travelling exhibition Prendre racine – Humans and Plants in Exile is a joint project by the Association Via – In the Footsteps of the Huguenots and Vaudois of Piedmont and its partner organizations in France, Italy, and Germany. Historical links are highlighted, while contemporary connections are drawn through the presentation of intercultural gardens and the exploration of climate change.
  • Grand rallye en famille | 28 September 2025 | Centre Nature du Vallon de l’Allondon
    Celebrate the arrival of autumn at the Vallon de l’Allondon Nature Center. Naturalists await you at six stations to teach you the secrets of the abundant nature of the Vallon de l’Allondon. The Pro Natura Geneva team will set you tasks to complete at six stations along the route.
  • Excursion : Fruits d’automne | 28 September 2025 | La libellule
    Delicious or poisonous? Come and discover the many berries that nature offers us in autumn. A gastronomic walk combining botany, stories of poisoning, and recipes from grandmothers.
  • Au fil des pommes | Until 15 October 2025 | Bibliothèque de Genève
    To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Partage, the food bank of the canton of Geneva, the traveling exhibition “Au fil des pommes” (Through the Apples) is spreading art and generosity throughout Geneva.
  • Le feu de la Terre, une aventure humaine | Until 28 September 2025 | Exhibition Hall, UNIGE
    Since the dawn of time, volcanoes have fascinated people with their majestic silhouettes and the power of their eruptions. They hold an ambivalent place in human history — feared for their dangers yet revered for the riches they offer. Across the ages, men and women have sought to observe, understand, and tell the stories of these giants of fire, even attempting to decipher the warning signs of their fury.
  • Galerie à ciel ouvert | Until 24 October 2025 | Jardin des Nations
    An open-air gallery featuring over 40 works by Mark Henley and Carole Desheulles. This visual dialogue explores the intersection of geopolitical tensions and the resilience of the natural world.
  • BORN IN … PPM au pont de la Machine | Until 26 October 2025 | Quartier Libre SIG
    An artistic photography project by Mary-Lou Mauricio demonstrating the increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration since the industrial revolution. Participants pose with the atmospheric CO₂ concentration (in ppm) from their year of birth, creating a powerful statement against fossil fuels and climate change.
  • Notre Biodiversité | Until 30 November 2025 | Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève
    What is biodiversity? Everyone talks about it — its crisis, its decline — but also its essential role for our health, food, well-being, and life on Earth. Linked to the new Municipal Biodiversity Strategy of the City of Geneva, this exhibition offers a journey through the heart of the botanical garden. Through short texts printed on fabric panels, it invites visitors to reflect on this urgent topic and on the role each of us plays: as citizens, public authorities, scientific institutions, and civil society.
  • Léman : L’éveil d’un peuple | Until 14 December 2025 | Espace Léman
    ASL invites you to discover a unique exhibition at Espace Léman that looks back on a little-known chapter in the history of the lake: its slow suffocation between the 1960s and 2000s, before being (almost) saved thanks to the determined mobilization of civil society. At a time when new threats are looming over the lake, the exhibition also aims to remind us that each and every one of us can become an agent of change.

What (Else) to Read Next?

  • Ahead of CITES COP20: expert Analyses now available | IUCN | 19 September 2025
    With one of the most important conservation meetings on the planet fast approaching, TRAFFIC and IUCN release research to support decisions on the list of wild species protected from unsustainable exploitation through international trade.
  • Securing a Sustainable Future for All: Critical Minerals, Industrial Policies, and the Role of Trade and Investment Frameworks | TESS | 19 September 2025
    Critical minerals lie at the intersection of industrial ambitions, climate urgency, and geopolitical strategy. Yet, the trade and investment frameworks that govern them are misaligned with the realities of a just and sustainable energy transition. Aligning mineral security with climate and development goals is essential if the energy transition is to deliver shared prosperity rather than exacerbate global divides.
  • French Alps 2030 Winter Games face legal challenge over environmental concerns | Le Monde | 17 September 2025
    A citizens’ group has filed a lawsuit demanding a public debate on France’s 2030 Winter Olympics, citing environmental risks, high costs, and a lack of consultation.
  • Healing the ozone layer: ‘Guided by science, united in action’ | UN News | 16 September 2025
    Science led to global action. Realising that harmful UV radiation was entering the atmosphere through what was potentially a damaged ozone layer, countries made a commitment under the Vienna Convention in 1985, to do what was needed for the protection of the people and the planet.
  • Community fights lead mine near primary school as report highlights Australia’s failure to protect children | The Guardian | 16 September 2025
    An application for a lead mine 2km from a primary school has failed to address concerns about its predicted emissions, relies on outdated evidence and has a community group in New South Wales rightly concerned for their health, a new expert report says.
  • Scaling action for nature: How the circular economy can help deliver the Global Biodiversity Framework | Ellen MacArthur Foundation | 15 September 2025
    Take, make, waste – this linear model epitomises today’s economy. While it may have underpinned economic development to date, it’s also pushed nature beyond its limits. Over 90% of the world’s land-related biodiversity loss and water stress, and a third of greenhouse gas emissions, stem from how we extract and process food, timber, bioenergy, fisheries, and other biomass. To halt and reverse biodiversity loss, 196 states adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), calling for urgent action and a shift in how economies interact with nature. This policy brief outlines how the circular economy can help accelerate that shift and how countries can integrate it into their biodiversity plans.
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Event Planning Intern

01 Oct 2025

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