Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 26 August – 1 September 2024

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, and Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | Traditional “Tour de Table” at the session “Human Rights and the Environment: Meeting on Activities Related to 57th Session of the Human Rights Council” that took place on 22 August at the International Environment House. Information shared and collected during the event is compiled in the Environment @ 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council update.

Advancing the Human Rights and Environment Agenda at the Human Rights Council and Beyond

Human Rights Council | In preparation for the upcoming 57th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC57) to convene in Geneva from 9 September to 11 October, an organizational meeting is taking place on Monday 26 August 2024, at Palais des Nations, Room XX, to allow Member States to announce any initiatives they intend to take during the upcoming session and raise any procedural issues. With the environment high on the agenda, consult regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC57, side events, and further resources available on our dedicated HRC57 and the environment update. Rewatch as well the information-sharing session, convened by the Geneva Environment Network, where various partners and stakeholders took the floor and shared environment-related activities and events taking place in the upcoming Council session.

UN General Assembly | Ahead of the upcoming 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), various UN Special Rapporteurs have also published reports that address the global environmental agenda. These include:

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development, Surya Deva, has published his report to the UN General Assembly on “Climate justice: loss and damage” (A/79/168). The report develops a climate justice framework comprising four pillars (mitigation, adaptation, remediation and transformation) and 12 overarching human rights principles. The UN Special Rapporteur proposes that climate change-related loss and damage, which undermines the right to development of individuals and communities, especially those living in developing countries, should be seen as part of the remediation pillar of the climate justice framework.
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, has also published her report to the UN General Assembly on “Access to information on climate change and human rights” (A/79/176). The report explores the specificities, challenges and good practices related to access to information on climate change and human rights. It clarifies States’ international obligations, individually and as part of international cooperation, as well as the responsibility of businesses.

Paving the Way to the New Binding Agreement to End Plastic Pollution in Bangkok | Road to Busan

Since last Saturday and until Wednesday 28 August, nominated national and technical experts are in Bangkok, Thailand for the in-person meeting of the two Ad Hoc Intersessional Open-ended Expert Groups established at the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, in the run-up to its fifth session (INC-5), to take place from 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This meeting follows the productive retreat last week in Geneva of the INC Bureau, reaffirming its commitment to hold an efficient, transparent, and inclusive process that allows the Committee to achieve an effective treaty, as highlighted by the Chair of this process, H.E. Amb. Luis Vayas. And according to the head of the Secretariat, Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, “The winds of change are blowing strong!” → Consult our regularly updated INC-5 page to learn more about preparations and the role of Geneva.

Stakeholders from Geneva and beyond are providing important inputs:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, its World Commission on Environmental Law (IUCN WCEL), and GRID-Arendal have produced a series of legal briefs in English, French, and Portuguese within the framework of the AFRIPAC project to continue to build the capacity of negotiators (also available in French and Portuguese).
The Minderoo Foundation published a comprehensive overview of substantial and concerning evidence for how chemicals in plastic are harming our health, focusing on exposure from BPA (bisphenol A), phthalates (plasticisers), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The umbrella review clarifies that exposure to chemicals in plastics occurs on a daily basis and it is linked to a range of health impacts. As already underlined by the PlastChem report launched during a Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogue, only a minority of chemicals used in plastics have been analyzed and those remaining unstudied cannot be considered safe.
New Report: “Plastic Money: Turning Off the Subsidies Tap (Phase 1)” | QUNO | 23 August 2024
This report represents a crucial step in uncovering the extensive subsidies received by the primary plastics polymer (PPP) production industry, a sector that plays a pivotal role in global plastic pollution.
Human Health in the INC Intersessional Work Process: Analysis of Submissions Relevant to Human Health | TESS | 23 August 2024
From Commitments to Action. Designing a Just and Effective Financial Mechanism for the Global Plastics Treaty | GAIA | 23 August 2024
Finance will be critical to the success of the global plastics treaty. This policy brief explores various options for sourcing, managing, and disbursing finance.

Other recent news on plastics include:

Limits to Plastic Growth: Towards a global cap on primary plastics production | Fredric Bauer, Karl Holmberg, Tara Olsen et al. | Lund University | 23 August 2024
Microplastics are infiltrating brain tissue, studies show: ‘There’s nowhere left untouched’ | The Guardian | 21 August 2024
Addressing Microplastic Pollution via the Global Plastic Treaty | Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty | 20 August 2024
Global Plastics Treaty: Leading CEOs Call For Mandatory Rules | Forbes | 20 August 2024
Groups say they’re shut out of global treaty talks on plastics pollution in Bangkok | AP News | 20 August 2024
Behind closed doors, experts advance a treaty to address plastic pollution | AP News | 19 August 2024
Your Plastic Water Bottle May Be Making You Gain Weight: Microplastics | Forbes | 19 August 2024
The US says it now supports a more ambitious plastics treaty. Industry groups are furious | GIRST | 16 August 2024
When Is “Recyclable” Not Really Recyclable? When the Plastics Industry Gets to Define What the Word Means | Propublica | 15 August 2024
Pla’stock | Étude du stock de plastiques sur les plages du Léman| ASL and Université de Genève | August 2024 → Read the Press Release

Operationalizing the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage

Ongoing efforts to fully operationalize the Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage (SNLD) have continued to move the work forward to fulfill its aim of catalyzing technical assistance at the local, national and regional level to developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to help them prevent, reduce and address the impacts of the climate change. The Santiago Network Project, under the Loss and Damage Collaboration (L&DC), aims to ensure that the SNLD is fully resourced to undertake its day to day operations from its head office in Geneva under the host consortium of its secretariat —United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Ahead of the third Advisory Board meeting of the Santiago network scheduled to take place from 4 to 6 September 2024, with a closed meeting on 3 September 2024 in Bonn, Germany, the L&DC’s Santiago Network Project is organizing a webinar, “Exploring the Role and Engagement of Organisations, Bodies, Networks and Experts as the Members of the Network“, which aims to understand what the engagement of a wide range of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) as members of the network means. The event also aims to explain the Advisory Board-approved guidelines for the designation of OBNEs as members of the SNLD, as the interim secretariat initiates the process of designating OBNEs as members of the network. → Register for the webinar taking place on 27 August 2024, from 13:00 to 15:00 CEST and read the L&DC Key Takeaways from the Second Advisory Board Meeting

Back to School, Back to Work | Upcoming GEN Events

As the first two months of the summer have passed, the environmental agenda in International Geneva begins picking up speed. Upcoming briefings organized or co-organized by the Geneva Environment Network include:

Plastics Treaty Talks: Updates and the View to the Finish Line | On the road to INC-5, the International Institute for Sustainable Development Earth Negotiations Bulletin (IISD ENB) and the Geneva Environment Network will hold a Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogue to take stock of the in-person meeting of the Expert Groups and providing an overview on INC-5. → Save the date and register on Webex to attend the event on 5 September 2024 from 15:00 to 16:30 CEST.
Water as a Common Good | HRC57 Side Event | In the framework of the 57th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, End Water Poverty, and the Geneva Environmental Network are convening a side event to reflect on the thematic report presented by the UN Special Rapporteur entitled “Water and Economy Nexus: managing water for productive uses from a human rights perspective”. → In-person attendance is open to those accredited to the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. Information on online participation will be shared in due time ahead of the event on 17 September 2024 to 14:30–15:30 CEST.
The Fundamental Right to Know: The Role of Pollution Information Portals | HRC57 Side Event | The Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances, with the support of the Geneva Environment Network, is convening an HRC57 side event to reflect on the thematic report presented by the Special Rapporteur entitled “Pollution information portals: strengthening access to information on releases of hazardous substances” (A/HRC/57/52). → In-person attendance is open to those accredited to the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. Information on online participation will be shared in due time ahead of the event on 18 September 2024 from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST.
Clarifying Human Rights Norms in Private Conservation | HRC57 Side Event | Co-organized by UNEP and the Geneva Environment Network on 2 October 2024 from 13:00 to 14:00 CEST.
Geneva Toxic Free Talks 2024 | For the fourth consecutive year, the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights and the Geneva Environment Network will organize on the sidelines of HRC57, the 2024 edition of the Toxic Free Talks. Taking place from 16 to 19 September 2024, a series of conferences and discussions will highlight the work of the Special Rapporteur and of organizations in the struggle for the right to live in a toxic-free environment. Relevant topics to be tackled include: Women and girls; Plastics; The Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention; Alternatives; and Asbestos.

Call for Submissions and Contests | Upcoming Deadlines

With the environment high on the agenda of International Geneva and beyond, different 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 list calls for submissions related to the environment. An additional update lists ongoing contests launched by our partners. Deadlines not to be missed during the coming weeks include:

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment | The Geneva Rights Platform, Earthjustice and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are organizing a training course that will examine the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights and the environment, allowing participants to familiarize with the respective implementation and enforcement mechanisms and provide practical insights into the different UN human rights mechanisms pertinent to advancing environmental issues and protecting environmental human rights defenders. The course is taking place online and in Geneva from 2 to 20 September 2024. → Learn more and apply by 29 August 2024

AI for Climate Action Innovation Factory | The “AI for Climate Action Innovation Factory” aims to advance the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in combating climate change, with solutions to be prominently showcased at United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan, 11 November – 22 November 2024. Winners will be announced at the 2024 in the context of the Green Digital Action track. Startups can apply to present their ideas for AI models related to Emission Reduction; Renewable Energy Integration and Efficiency; Adaptation and monitoring of the impacts of climate change through nuclear science; and Climate action agricultural practices. The deadline for submission is on 30 August 2024.

Call for Applications for 2024-25 Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform (CWYP) Coordination Team | The Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform (CWYP) serves as the formal, self-organized youth engagement mechanism to United Nations processes on pollution. Their aim is to elevate the priorities of children, youth and other vulnerable populations who have been the most harmed by toxic exposures but the least heard in the negotiation room, and to advance the right of all generations to live in a non-toxic, chemical-safe world. Various positions are open for regional and thematic focal points. → Find the complete list of openings, more information in CWYP Coordination Team Terms of Reference (TOR) and send your application through the form by 31 August 2024.

Implementing the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) in Economic and Industry Sectors: Global survey to support development of a GFC implementation programme on industry engagement and action along value chains | This survey is administered by the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the GFC. It aims to raise awareness in industry associations and companies about the GFC and its industry-related targets, by specifically addressing industry associations and companies producing, distributing and using chemicals, spanning from raw material extraction to products and final disposal. While this survey specifically seeks to elicit information from industry stakeholders, other GFC stakeholders, including governments, civil society, international and scientific organizations, play an important role in fostering industry engagement and action along value chains. Stakeholders interested to engage in this process are encouraged to indicate their interest in the Background Section of the survey or write to the IOMC Secretariat by 1 September 2024.

Droit international de l’eau douce (formation en ligne) | The Geneva Water Hub is collaborating with the Pôle eau Dakar et Regional Water School of the Kinshasa University for an online training course in French on international freshwater law. This course is designed for government executives, negotiators and NGOs dealing with transboundary water issues and freshwater management. Participants will be awarded a micro-certification of 2 ECTS credits issued by the University of Geneva. → Learn more and register by 1 September 2024.

WMO Annual Photo Competition | The World Meteorological Organization is seeking high-quality and meaningful photographs that capture people and communities working together to ensure universal protection from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through live-saving early warning systems. Photos that illustrate the force of nature and the need to protect our beautiful planet from the impact of human activities are invited . The Photo Competition for the WMO 2025 Calendar is held under the theme is “Closing the early warning gap together” reflecting the slogan for World Meteorological Day on 23 March. Winning entries will feature in the 2025 WMO Calendar, showcased on the WMO website and in public outreach materials and on social media platforms. The deadline for entry is 1 September 2024.

IUCN Leaders Forum Volunteers | The IUCN Leaders Forum gathers leaders and changemakers from around the world, in-person, to discuss innovative solutions to critical global challenges, make bold commitments, build partnerships and catalyze action for impactful change in nature conservation and sustainability. The 2024 edition of the Forum will take place at Palexpo, in Geneva from 8 to 10 October 2024 and is looking for volunteers to support the session in various ways. Do not miss this opportunity to participate in the globally recognized forum on nature conservation and planetary action and apply by 6 September 2024.

MOP10 Water Convention Registration deadline | The tenth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention (MOP 10), taking place in Ljubljana (Slovenia) from 23 to 25 October 2024, is organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia, on behalf of the Government of Slovenia, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Water Convention, hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Governments and organizations are invited to nominate representatives to participate in the meeting by 1 September 2024. All participants need to register by 15 September 2024, using the INDICO platform.

Afterwork and Weekend Activities to Continue Enjoying a Green Summer

While the summer is now in its final month, many green activities are available to enjoy for those still on holidays and during weekends. Suggestions for the upcoming week include:

Emportons malin! | Single-use food containers have an important impact on the environment. On 27, 30 August and 2, 4 September 2024 take the chance to taste delicious food trucks placed around various locations and get a free food container!
Festi’terroir, Festival de la vente directe et du bio | The 6th edition will take place from 30 August to 1 September in Parc des Bastions. Visit this annual event to discover the products and sustainable agriculture and responsible consumption of Geneva producers, food artisans and winemakers.
Éveil du Léman | Destination nature | The monthly visit to discover Geneva’s nature is organized by the Association pour la sauvegard du Léman and will take place on 31 August 2024. Take advantage of the visit to observe various migratory birds as they start their autumn migration.
Fête du vélo | The Musée d’histoire des sciences is organizing the Fête du vélo in the Parc des Bastions on 31 August and 1 September 2024 as part of the current the exhibition Vélo, Équilibres en mouvement. Enjoy the vintage bike rides, a workshop for building musical instruments from discarded bike parts, cycle repairs and a village of tricycles and more.
Pourquoi les fleurs sont-elles si diverse ? | This conference organized within the framework of the “Conférences au vert” cycle will see how our research is contributing to a better understanding of the links between flowers and their pollinators, and the importance of these interactions in the evolution of flowering plants. On 29 August 2024 from 18:00 to 19:30 CEST, join in the Temperate Greenhouse of the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques.
Atelier sur la pêche de vigne | During this workshop, you’ll learn about the history of this crop, the diversity it harbors, where to plant the trees and how to propagate them: it’s one of the only fruit species that multiplies faithfully by sowing. Join the workshop on 31 August 2024 at the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques.

→ Consult our Green Summer in Geneva 2024 page for more activities.

More Happening Abroad

53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting | From 26 to 30 August 2024, the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will be hosted by Tonga. The annual Forum aims to to develop collective responses to regional issues and deliver on their vision for a resilient Pacific Region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, that ensures all Pacific peoples can lead-free, healthy and productive lives. The World Meteorological Organization will release the State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2023 Report at a press conference with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 27 August 2024. The report emphasizes sea level rise, ocean heat content and sea surfaces which were having an increasingly devastating impact on the Pacific Islands.

World Water Week 2024 | With 15,000 registered participants, World Water Week 2024 will convene in Stockholm, Sweden and online from 25 to 29 August 2024. WWW24 is centered on water cooperation, for peace and security in its broadest sense. The theme, Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future, asks us to recognize the regional and global interconnectivity of communities and nations, and underscores the collaborative effort needed to achieve a peaceful and sustainable future. → Learn more in the programme.

What (Else) to Read Next?

It’s August 2024 – and our world is at a turning point. Here’s what we should do now | Gordon Brown | The Guardian | 24 August 2024
“I see looming political and environmental threats – and too few willing to address them. Where is the urgency?” “The world is indeed engulfed by flames. For too long, too many leaders who should have been firefighters have acted as arsonists, fanning the flames of unrest. It is time to put out the fire. Our future depends on it.”
Greenpeace files supreme court case accusing Finland of climate inaction | Geneva Times | 23 August 2024
A group of environmental and rights organisations said Thursday that they were suing the Finnish government for violating the country’s climate legislation by not taking adequate action to hit climate targets.
French court rejects US Agent Orange case | Jeffrey Wang | U. Calgary Faculty of Law | 22 August 2024
The Paris Court of Appeals rejected an appeal to hold Monsanto and fourteen other agrochemical firms for their role in producing Agent Orange for the US armed forces, citing legal immunity from prosecution as they worked at the order of a sovereign government. Nga immediately vowed to appeal to the Court of Cassation, France’s highest court. In a press release, Nga’s counsel, William Bourdon and Bertrand Repolt called the ruling “contrary to the modernity of law and international law and European law.”
Climate policies that achieved major emission reductions: Global evidence from two decades | Stechemesser et al. | Science | 22 August 2024
The study evaluated 1500 climate policies that have been implemented over the past 25 years and identified the 63 most successful ones. Some of those successes involved rarely studied policies and unappreciated combinations. This work illustrates the kinds of policy efforts that are needed to close the emissions gaps in various economic sectors.
Broken Promises: Western Hypocrisy in the Global Minerals Scramble | Foreign Policy in Focus | 22 August 202
Global superpowers must keep the quest for minerals within the boundaries of economic competition and refrain from using force. Western governments need to live up to their promises of a just energy transition by putting in place and enforcing strong regulation that ensures responsible mining and holds accountable all companies involved in extracting and sourcing minerals.
Trade and Environment in a Cul-De-Sac: Balance Sustainable Consumption with Production | TESS | 21 August 2024
Each year, people in the United States discard over 300 million pairs of shoes, with 95% ending up in landfills, and families in the Global North throw away an average of 30kg of clothing, of which only 15% gets recycled. Beyond discourse, it is time for sustainability in trade to be implemented in practice by addressing both sustainable consumption and production.
New UN initiative to reduce disaster risk with AI | ITU | 20 August 2024
The Global Initiative on Resilience to Natural Hazards through AI Solutions, led by ITU, UNEP, UNFCCC, UPU, and WMO aims to ensure that advanced digital technologies in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) boost resilience to natural hazards and reduce disaster risks.
Are Oceans Temperatures Reaching a Boiling Point? | Back to Blue Initiative | 20 August 2024
Over the past year global water temperatures have smashed records. Fuelled by climate change and El Niño, which warms Pacific waters, high sea temperatures have triggered the world’s fourth global mass bleaching event. Corals from Florida to Brazil have turned white, with some 97% of corals in the northern third of the Great Barrier Reef dying since.
The overshoot myth: you can’t keep burning fossil fuels and expect scientists of the future to get us back to 1.5°C | The Conversation | 20 August 2024
Record breaking fossil fuel production, all time high greenhouse gas emissions and extreme temperatures. Like the proverbial frog in the heating pan of water, we refuse to respond to the climate and ecological crisis with any sense of urgency. Under such circumstances, claims from some that global warming can still be limited to no more than 1.5°C take on a surreal quality.
Signs of progress on peace-positive climate adaptation | SIPRI | 20 August 2024
A ‘peace-positive’ approach to climate adaptation entails, for example, defining peace-related objectives and indicators of success for an adaptation project. The approach could also include, for example, activities aimed at fostering dialogue, ensuring the equitable distribution of resources and building state capacity to alleviate local tensions.
PEFC publishes ST 1004: certification body requirements for sustainable forest management | PEFC | 20 August 2024
As the first of its kind, ST 1004 combines benchmark and international requirements. It sets up international requirements that PEFC national members will adopt within their systems, to be implemented directly by certification bodies. This will bring consistency to PEFC forest management audits conducted around the world.
Can Behavioural Science Help Scale Climate Change Adaptation Solutions? | IISD | 19 August 2024
Applying behavioural science to climate change adaptation solutions might feel resource intensive, but research shows it is likely less costly than an intervention that doesn’t work.