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Newsletter 27 Apr 2026

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 27 April – 3 May 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 | H.E. Ambassador Mher MARGARYAN, Special Envoy for the Armenian Presidency of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), was in Geneva last week to attend the Regional Forum for Sustainable Development and other important meetings in preparation of COP17. He opened the side event Education for Biodiversity: Accelerating Delivery of the Global Biodiversity Framework and highlighted education as a central pillar for implementation and accelerating nature action, positioning COP17 as a milestone moment for delivery of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The Special Envoy is scheduled to be back in Geneva on 22 May 2026, on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity.

UNECE Resource Management Week | Ensuring Energy Security, Affordability and Sustainability

The UNECE Resource Management Week 2026 is taking place from 27 April to 1 May at Palais des Nations. The event will explore how resources can and should be managed in the context of the energy transition, and how effective resource management contributes to energy security, affordability, and sustainability. As global demand for critical minerals and energy resources continues to rise and supply chains are facing growing pressures shaped by geopolitical dynamics, attention should focus on how these resources are governed, financed, and deployed. → Participation is open to all stakeholders, with some sessions also live streamed on UN TV. Register on Indico.

The week features various events, including the:

Organized within the framework of the Geneva Dialogues on Minerals and Metals, the Geneva Environment Network and partners are convening the side event “Navigating Global Sustainability Standards in the Mining Sector“. The event will bring together leading experts to discuss the findings of the Stocktake of Sustainability Standards and Initiatives for Minerals and Metals: Leveraging Synergies Between Sustainability Standards and Initiatives and Public Instruments to Enhance Environmental Governance, compiled by UNEP and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) to clarify how these initiatives interact with laws, regulations and policy commitments, and how they might enhance environmental governance rather than compete with or undermine it. → To participate in person to this event taking place on 30 April 2026 from 13:40 CEST in Palais des Nations, Room XVI, non-UN badge holders are required to kindly register on Indico.
→ Learn more in our dedicated update Mineral Resource Governance and the Role of Geneva.

Other events tackling the environment taking place as side events or in the margins of the Resources Management Week include:

Other events and resources include:

  • OECD Critical Minerals Forum. Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnership | 28-29 April 2026 | OECD Istanbul Centre
    The OECD Critical Minerals Forum will explore how countries can work together to build resilient critical mineral supply chains while supporting resource-rich countries in developing local value and diversifying their economies. The Forum will provide a platform for high-level cross-regional dialogue between OECD Members, partner countries and key stakeholders, from the private sector and civil society, including experts from Geneva. → Follow the livestream
  • Critical Mineral Traceability for Energy and Economic Security | IEA | 22 April 2026
    This report assesses the current state of company traceability practices, examines how governments are deploying traceability as a policy instrument, and identifies key barriers to wider adoption. Lastly, the report identifies five actions for policymakers to support wider uptake of traceability systems for supply chain diversification and resilience.

Santa Marta Conference | Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels

The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, convened by Colombia and the Netherlands, continues this week in Santa Marta, Colombia, as efforts intensify to consolidate a “coalition of the willing.” The Conference provides a political platform for countries, subnational governments and stakeholders that recognize the need to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner, in line with climate goals and the best available science. With nearly 60 governments attending, discussions are ongoing across the three thematic pillars of the Conference – overcoming economic dependence, transforming supply and demand, and advancing international cooperation and climate diplomacy – as outlined in the Agenda Programme, alongside exchanges within the People’s Summit for a Fossil Free Future. These are generating substantive inputs to be taken forward for discussion during the High-level Segment taking place from 28 to 29 April 2026. → Follow the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin live coverage of the High-level Segment.

Relevant news and resources issued in the past days highlight that Santa Marta must move the fossil fuel transition from aspiration to implementation, grounded in human rights, justice, scientific limits, and structural reform (finance, subsidies, ISDS). The conference is widely framed not as a negotiating forum, but as a test of political will and credibility in the post‑COP30 landscape. Resources include:

→ 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.

Building Momentum Towards the UN Climate Change Conference

The 2026 UN Climate Change Conference will convene from 9-20 November in Antalya, Türkiye. The meeting comprises the thirty-first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 31), the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 21), and the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 8).

In his first letter to Parties, dated 13 April 2026, COP 31 President-designate Murat Kurum outlines a vision for COP31, referring to a new model of cooperation developed between Türkiye and Australia, and promises to deliver a new, inclusive, and solution-oriented Conference. Türkiye will hold the COP31 Presidency, host COP31, including its World Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, and lead the Action Agenda. The letter further mentions:

  • Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, H.E. Chris Bowen, has been appointed as the COP31 President of Negotiations, in accordance with the Türkiye-Australia Partnership Modalities. In the coming weeks, a joint letter will be issued, outlining their priorities regarding the negotiations and how we can make progress across all climate pillars.
  • The Pre-COP meeting will be held in the Republic of Fiji on 5-8 October 2026, including a leaders’ event in Tuvalu, and will contribute to reflecting diverse perspectives inclusively.
  • COP31 Presidency will be guided by three core principles: Dialogue, Consensus, and Action.
  • COP31 Presidency will prioritize accelerating the clean energy transition, strengthening circular economy approaches, enhancing resilience for vulnerable regions and ecosystems, mobilizing finance, and fostering inclusive participation, particularly of youth.

Other important convenings driving climate action this week include:

  • The outcomes of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, convening this week in Santa Marta, 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.
  • The annual Berlin Climate and Security Conference (BCSC) – hosted by the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN, with support from adelphi global, and in partnership with the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) and the Group of Friends on Climate and Security- will convene in New York on 29 April 2026 to examine climate, peace and security (CPS) priorities within the UN system. Since its inaugural edition in 2019, the annual BCSC hosted by the German Federal Foreign Office has become a global forum connecting governments, international organizations, experts and practitioners working to better address the impacts of climate change on international peace and security through diplomacy, development and defense approaches. One of the goals of the Conference is to make the UN system fit for purpose in addressing CPS challenges and delivering on the UN80 initiative.
  • The World Meteorological Organization and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) will release the European State of the Climate Report 2025. The launch will be held online on 29 April 2026, preceded by a media briefing with WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, ECMWF head and EU commissioners on 27 April 2026.

Environment in the UN80 Initiative

Alongside the regular monthly briefings on the UN80 Initiative, additional meetings have recently provided updates to Member States and stakeholders on the initiative, including last week:

This week:

  • The UN General Assembly continues to hold monthly informal meetings to review progress on the UN80 Initiative and its Action Plan. The next update will take place on 29 April 2026.
  • Related discussions will also feature prominently at the Berlin Climate and Security Conference in New York, on 29 April 2026, as one of the key topics of discussion is making the UN system fit for purpose in addressing climate, peace, and security challenges in line with UN80 objectives.
  • → Consult our dedicated update that provides a list of resources on the UN80 initiative and the environmental pillar dimension.

Towards a Global Plastics Treaty: INC Chair Guidance

The Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, H.E. Amb. Julio Cordano continues to communicate with Member States and Observers about how he intends to move forward with the negotiations, providing regular written updates (letters or reflection notes) to support transparency and guide Member States:

  • In his first letter of 19 February 2026, the Chair shared general comments and the basic principles that, in his view, should inspire the work of the INC, with a special emphasis on transparency, inclusivity and predictability.
  • His second letter of 16 March 2026 described a roadmap of informal activities, virtual and in-person, as well as the sequence and frequency of those engagements. In the same letter, he also included considerations about the need to have a single informal reference document as a basis for discussions.
  • In his third letter of 16 April 2026, the Chair outlines a proposed methodology to advance substantive negotiations in the final phase toward a legally binding instrument. Building on earlier guidance on principles and process, the letter introduces a framework of four complementary objectives, the “four Cs” – conceptual discussions, clarity in the text, connections between parts of the instrument, and a comprehensive view of the instrument – to help consolidate progress, deepen mutual understanding, and support convergence. The Chair calls for structured, step‑by‑step discussions that avoid restating positions and instead build on prior deliberations. To guide the sequencing of work, he proposes criteria focused on balance across issues, exploration of interlinkages, and regular stocktaking. This methodology will be applied through upcoming informal virtual and in‑person Heads of Delegation meetings, with the aim of enabling the preparation of a single informal reference document following the Nairobi meeting (30 June–3 July 2026), while upholding the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and predictability.

The second informal Heads of Delegations (HOD) virtual meeting takes place this week on 30 April 2026 from 14:00-16:00 EAT (13:00-15:00 CEST). As clarified by the INC Secretariat in a notification, this informal virtual HODs meeting will follow a Head of Delegation + 4 format. The process continues attracting a lot of attention. Recent publications highlight a growing convergence between science, public health, civil society, and policy analysis around the need for a strong, transparent, and ambitious Global Plastics Treaty, including:

Environmental Consequences of the Conflict in the Middle East

As highlighted by the UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen at the 173rd meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP in Nairobi, and echoing the UN Secretary-General’s call for the immediate cessation of all hostilities, the destruction of infrastructure – including fuel storage, refining and processing facilities – across the Middle East region has polluted the air, soil and water. Fires from damaged oil and gas facilities release heat and air pollutants – creating serious risks to those responding to the fires and to people living in affected areas. At the same time, damage to maritime vessels has led to significant oil spills, contaminating rivers, groundwater, and marine environments, with far‑reaching consequences for human health, wildlife, and ecosystems in a region already facing acute water scarcity. Ending the destruction is essential to safeguard human life and enable the containment and remediation of pollution, as conflict‑related environmental damage has been shown to persist for many years. UNEP is working closely with the wider UN system to monitor the environmental situation and will report on environmental impacts of regional significance arising from the conflict.

Recent articles include:

Outcomes of the Astana Regional Ecological Summit 2026

The first Regional Ecological Summit (RES) 2026 for the Central Asian region concluded on 24 April 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan. With more than 8,000 people attending the over 50 sessions and the Presidents of the Central Asian countries such as Armenia, Georgia, Mongolia and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, participating in high-level segments, the Summit marked an important milestone to drive joint environmental action across the region. Key outcomes include:

  • The adoption of the Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia on Environmental Cooperation in Central Asia, titled “Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia,” in which heads of state confirmed their intention to intensify efforts to develop joint regional positions and solutions within multilateral environmental processes, including negotiations on biodiversity, chemical and waste management, combating plastic pollution, improving air quality, combating land degradation and desertification, and agreed to promote a unified position of the Central Asian countries in key international platforms.
  • The Heads of State of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan endorsed a new regional partnership on circular economy, to be supported by UNEP.
  • Central Asian countries signed a Regional Declaration on Biodiversity Conservation, confirming their readiness to jointly protect ecosystems and rare species in Central Asia, restore natural areas and develop ecological corridors. At the initiative of Kazakhstan, the resolution “Green Shield of Central Asia” was signed as a regional system of protective forest belts and green barriers against land degradation and dust storms, and areas for forest plantations were identified.
  • The signing of a joint declaration by the countries of Central Asia and the WHO Regional Office for Europe on the implementation of the Roadmap “A Healthy Future for the Aral Sea Region”, as well as several memorandums on the implementation of the One Health approach.
  • The unveiling of a regional platform on glaciers to reflect the growing urgency around water security in the region, where glaciers provide between 30 and 60 per cent of freshwater.
  • The setup of a regional climate and ecology investment portfolio to expand access to international finance for environmental action.

Read more at:

40th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster

Sunday, 26 April 2026 marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster. On this day in 1986, following a routine 20-second system shutdown in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, a surge created a chemical explosion. The accident and the fire that followed released massive amounts of radioactive material into the environment over large parts of the Soviet Union, now the territories of Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation, exposing million of people to radiations. On 8 December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 26 April as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day, recognizing that three decades after the disaster there remain persistent serious long-term consequences and that the affected communities and territories are experiencing continuing related needs.

Four decades on, the disaster continues to serve as a reminder of its human and environmental toll and as a call to prevent future disasters. As highlighted by the Special Rapporteurs on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, and the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Astrid Puentes Riaño, in their statement on the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster in Ukraine, “the anniversary represents an opportunity to strengthen collective international efforts to advance understanding, protection and monitoring of the environment, and ensure where possible environmental remediation and long-term control and recovery of the area, and support affected communities”. The Geneva community also commemorated the 40th anniversary of the disaster at a public gathering organized by Sortir du Nucléaire, ContrAtom and Soigner les enfants de Tchernobyl on 26 April 2026 at the National Monument at Jardin Anglais. Read more at:

More Happening Abroad

The 25th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII- 25) continues this week at the UN Headquarters in New York and is expected to conclude on 1 May 2026. Held under the theme: “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict”, the environment is discussed across various agenda items and side events, including:

  • Advancing Planetary and Indigenous Health Through Rights | UNEP | 28 April 2026 | 10:00 EST (16:00 CEST) | Online, Teams | Register
    This discussion will bring together Indigenous Peoples, private conservation organizations, and funders to explore practical ways to use the Core Principles to strengthen rights-based conservation. It will highlight how rights- and health-centered approaches can improve biodiversity outcomes, reduce conflict, and support the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples, including in contexts affected by tension or conflict.

Read more at:

Environmental Awards and Prizes

Environmental awards and prizes play a central role in recognizing and amplifying the work of individuals and institutions shaping a more sustainable future. Every year, these awards celebrate achievements across diplomacy, science, youth engagement, innovation, and environmental justice while reminding the world of the urgent need for collective action in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Various initiatives and prizes awarding those at the frontlines of protecting our planet and championing for the Earth have recently announced new awardees or updates. These include:

  • The Goldman Environmental Prize has been recognizing grassroots environmental champions since 1990 for significant efforts to protect and restore the natural environment. The 2026 winners were announced on 20 April 2026 in a ceremony in San Francisco, livestreamed on YouTube. The recipients are Iroro Tanshi (Nigeria), Borim Kim (South Korea), Sarah Finch (United Kingdom), Theonila Roka Matbob (Papua New Guinea), Alannah Acaq Hurley (United States), and Yuvelis Morales Blanco (Colombia). These six extraordinary women show that you don’t have to cross oceans to find environmental leadership. Global movements begin in backyards and town halls, in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our communities – led by regular people. Change starts where you stand.
  • BloombergNEF’s Pioneers Award — recognizing game-changing technologies or innovations with the potential to accelerate the transition toward a net-zero economy across three key climate challenges — announced on 20 April 2026 its winners, 12 startups working to accelerate the global energy transition through technological innovation. This year’s winners include companies improving the sustainability of data centers, flattening the duck curve and decarbonizing shipping – among many others.
  • Time 100, a list of the top 100 most influential people, assembled by the American news magazine Time, has recently released its 2026 edition, listing important environmental actors under the leaders category, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi for on nuclear safety and security, non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology to improve lives around the world.
  • → Consult our dedicated update that provides an overview of global flagship awards, thematic environmental prizes, and Swiss-based awards recognizing the champions working towards a healthier, more resilient and just planet.

Upcoming Deadlines Relevant for the Environment

With the environment high on the agenda of International Geneva and beyond, international processes, negotiations, and fora regularly issue calls for inputs in preparation of future reports, in support of ongoing processes, for awarding who champion for our planet, or for registering to attend upcoming sessions. A dedicated update lists calls for submissions related to the environment. Additional updates list those related to Human Rights Mechanisms, ongoing contests and environmental awards and prizes. Upcoming deadlines not to be missed in the coming weeks include:

  • Study on the implications of sea-level rise for the full enjoyment of human rights | The Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council is preparing a study on the implications of sea-level rise for the full enjoyment of human rights, and in particular to identify its impact on, among others, Indigenous Peoples, persons of African descent, persons with disabilities, persons belonging to national and ethnic minorities, and coastal communities, while paying specific attention to the disproportionate impacts on women and girls, including in rural areas. The study will be presented to the Council at its 64th session. → The deadline for submission is 30 April 2026.
  • Technologies related to climate change and their impacts on human rights | In her upcoming report to the UN General Assembly 81st session, the UN Special Rapporteur on climate change and human rights seeks to synthesize and analyze a varied body of evidence (from across the natural and social sciences, including Indigenous science and other knowledge systems) of the actual and potential, positive and negative impacts on human rights of technologies related to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and/or responses to loss and damage. → The deadline for submission is 30 April 2026.
  • Country visit to Guatemala | During its visit to Guatemala, the Working Group on Business and Human Rights will examine business and human rights issues and identify current initiatives, practices, challenges and opportunities at the national and local level to implement the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights and promote responsible business conduct. → The deadline for submission is 30 April 2026.
  • Second Call for Proposals for the Fish Fund | The WTO Fish Fund opened its second Call for Proposals on 2 February, inviting developing and least-developed country (LDC) WTO members that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to apply for project grants aimed at supporting their implementation of the Agreement. Two types of grants are available: project preparation grants of up to USD 50,000 to conduct needs assessments to prepare for implementation of the Agreement, and project grants of up to USD 300,000 for projects to implement specific provisions of the Agreement. Eligible WTO members can submit proposals by 8 May 2026 via the application portal.
  • Basel Convention OEWG 15 Call for Side Events | At OEWG-15, side events will be held on major issues related to the implementation of the Basel Convention. Side events provide a platform for Parties (including subsidiary bodies) and observers to share knowledge, build capacity, network and exchange experiences related to the implementation of the Convention. They also contribute to discussions on specific issues under consideration at OEWG-15. Applications for side events may be submitted by Parties (including subsidiary bodies) and observers via the online application form by 11 May 2026.
  • Global Frameworks on Chemicals Call for Nomination of Issues of Concern | The Global Framework on Chemicals welcomes the nomination of issues of concern. An issue of concern is an issue involving any phase in the life cycle of chemicals that has not yet been generally recognized, is insufficiently addressed, or arises as a potential concern from the current level of scientific information, and that may have adverse effects on human health and/or the environment that would benefit from international action. To nominate an issue of concern, please download and complete the following form and template and return to unep-gfc.secretariat@un.org no later than 31 May 2026 for consideration at the first meeting of the International Conference.

Upcoming conferences and meetings for which registration is encouraged include:

  • Trade for Sustainable Development (T4SD) Forum 2026 | 7 May 2026, Google Europaallee, Zurich | Organized by The International Trade Center in collaboration with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) | Register
    Held as part of the Climate Week Zurich 2026, T4SD will be held under the theme “Boosting Technological Innovation and Trade” and will bring stakeholders together to facilitate action-oriented discussions, strengthening connections between sustainable development, technology, investment and trade. The insights from the event will feed into the ITC SME Ministerial process, which fosters dialogue, presents the latest research, and encourages the sharing of countries’ good practices.
  • First European Forum for EHRDs | 3 – 4 June 2026, Council of Europe’s Headquarters in Strasbourg, France | Expression of Interest Form
    The First European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) will aim to enhance the collaboration between EHRDs, civil society organizations (CSOs), grassroot movements, Indigenous Peoples, government representatives and national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms, as well as other relevant actors to address challenges, share experiences, and promote stronger protections for EHRDs. The Forum, the first of its kind in the region, will enable defenders to connect and strategize with peers engaged in environmental action and engage with policymakers, regional and UN-level organizations and procedures as well as National Human Rights Institutions. → EHRDs and individuals supporting their work across the 46 member States of the Council of Europe are kindly asked to express their interest in the Forum and pre-register via the Expression of Interest Form, preferably no later than 10 May 2026.

Enjoying a Green Spring in Geneva

As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, our selection of ideas for enjoying a green spring in Geneva this week includes:

  • Atelier-formation « Apprendre à fabriquer ses cosmétiques naturels » | 27 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.
  • Inauguration – Découvrez comment redonner sa place à la nature en ville ! | 28 April 2026 | City of Geneva | Maison de l’Avenir
    The City of Geneva is taking part in the national “Redonner vie” campaign, encouraging residents to make space for biodiversity in everyday urban spaces –from balconies to shared courtyards. The event brings together local organizations for workshops, exhibitions, short film screenings, and discussions on promoting nature in the city, followed by a convivial reception.
  • Cet herbier que je ne saurais voir | 28 April 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    A lecture by Timothée Léchot explores the challenges of exhibiting and preserving Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s herbariums. At the crossroads of science, literature, and art, these rare plant collections raise questions about how they should be interpreted, displayed, and understood today. 
  • Enigma Botanic – Escape Game | 28 April 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    A hands-on botanical escape game where you must solve clues to identify a plant that could help treat malaria. Set in a former family cabinet of botanists, the challenge invites you to uncover a long-lost discovery before time runs out and potentially save millions of lives. 
  • Comment Genève a inventé son environnement… et vice-versa (Spécial Plainpalais) | 28 April 2026 | Bibliothèques municipales de la Ville de Genève | Bibliothèque des Minoteries
    A talk exploring the history and evolving landscape of Plainpalais through the Hypercity project by the Municipal Libraries. Blending urban history and imagination, it traces how Geneva and its natural environment have shaped each other over time.
  • Café quartier: le ver de terre, un bon ami! | 29 April 2026 | City of Geneva’s Social event Department | Café-restaurant le Nyamuk
    Discover vermicomposting in this hands-on session led by a local resident of La Jonction. Learn how to recycle food waste at home using worms and turn it into nutrient-rich compost. 
  • Dessaler, Hydrater-Nourrir, Préserver : L’espoir venu de Genève | 29 April 2026 | Societé des Arts | Palais de l’Athénée
    A conference by François Frigola presenting an innovative Geneva-based solution to global water scarcity. The talk explores a solar-powered, carbon-free desalination technology designed to produce sustainable freshwater and support climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
  • Fascinantes fougères | 29 April 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    Discover these incredible plants that appeared on Earth long before humans did. Ranging from tiny to gigantic, ferns have colonized many different environments – all without flowers or seeds! Come discover them in the Garden and the greenhouses before making a colorful craft project.
  • Et s’il fallait changer de récit pour changer le monde ? Un atelier pour vous connecter à votre futur souhaitable et renforcer votre pouvoir d’agir. | 29 April 2026 | Hub des Possibles | Maison de l’Avenir
    An interactive workshop with Chantal Peyer exploring how narratives, emotions, and collective imaginaries shape our ability to act in times of uncertainty. Through reflection and guided exercises, participants are invited to envision desirable futures, reconnect with their values, and strengthen their capacity for meaningful action.
  • 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.
  • 3e édition de la Biennale de l’Art et de la Nature Urbaine – (re)connecting.earth | 29 April – 14 June 2026 – Opening on 28 April at the Comédie de Genève and on 29 April at the Voie Verte and Villa du Parc | Various Locations
    The (re)connecting.earth Biennial returns with a cross-border outdoor exhibition along the Greenway of Greater Geneva, extending to Annemasse. Through artworks, workshops, and events, this edition explores “sensitive resources” and the role of natural materials, from sand to water, in shaping our daily lives and global systems.
  • Seniors, s’informer ou se former | (Re) Découvrons la nature ensemble | 30 April 2026 | Cité Seniors 
    A guided walk and talk led by biologist and naturalist David McCrae exploring the hidden life of trees. Discover how trees communicate, adapt, and interact within forest ecosystems.
  • Au fil du Rhône avec les Kogis, entre réappropriation du territoire et réveil de la mémoire | 30 April 2026 | TCHENDUKUA Ici et Ailleurs – Suisse | Unimail
    A conference exploring the dialogue between Indigenous Kogi knowledge and scientific approaches through a “territorial health diagnosis” of the Rhône. Drawing on nearly 30 years of collaboration between Tchendukua and the Kogi people from Colombia, the event invites reflection on how we understand, inhabit, and care for our territories as living systems.
  • Entre la nature et moi | 30 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.
  • Ciné-relax : Sauvages | 30 April 2026 | Musée d’Ethnographie de Genève
    A relaxed cinema screening open to all, where every audience member is welcome in a supportive and flexible environment. The session features the animated film Sauvages by Claude Barras, telling the story of two children and an orangutan fighting to protect the rainforest in Borneo.
  • Festival Explore Demain | 2-9 May 2026 | Various Locations
    Explore Demain is a participatory Geneva-based festival bringing together experts, artists, and citizens to imagine and shape a shared future. Through talks, exhibitions, workshops, and performances, it offers an immersive space to explore today’s major challenges and inspire sustainable transitions. 
  • Marcher La Ville – Itinéraires des saisonniers | 2 May 2026 | City of Geneva | Place des Grottes
    This guided walk explores key sites linked to seasonal workers in Geneva and their role in the city’s development in the second half of the 20th century. Led by the creators of the Nous saisonniers, saisonnières memory trail, it features historical insights and personal testimonies. 
  • 13ème édition de Net’Léman | 2-3 May 2026 | Lake Geneva Area
    Net’Léman is a large-scale clean-up of Lake Geneva’s shores and underwater areas, taking place across multiple sites around the lake. Volunteers, divers, and lake users come together to help preserve the lake’s health and beauty. 
  • Navigation en mers du sud entre art de la navigation et montée des eaux | 3 May 2026 | Musée d’Ethnographie de Genève
    A short guided “flash visit” through the permanent exhibition, linking collection objects to current social and environmental challenges. This free, drop-in tour invites discussion and reflection in a compact 30-minute format.
  • Les volcans bouillonnants et imprévisibles | 3 May 2026 | Musée d’histoires des sciences
    A lively talk by geologists from Animuse exploring the power and science of volcanoes. Travel from ash clouds to lava flows and discover what lies beneath the Earth’s surface through the work of renowned volcanologists.
  • Marcher La Ville – Bain de forêt – Parc Bertrand | 3 May 2026 | Maison de quartier de Champel
    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.
  • 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 de Genève
    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?

  • South Pacific islanders strive to rescue their home from toxic legacy | Daniel Johnson, UN News | 25 April 2026
    Today, the UN is supporting the process of making the land safe to walk and build on again, but the risk to public health from corroding munitions is growing. For many years, islanders have suspected that this toxic legacy has been harming them and their children, and now a UN-partnered study has found strong evidence to back this up, by confirming the presence of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and explosive residues.
  • 2026 UNECE Regional Forum stresses commitment to harnessing opportunities for SDG acceleration | UNECE | 24 April 2026
    The 2026 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD) for the UNECE region concluded in Geneva with a clear message of renewed commitment to harness existing opportunities to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), despite mounting global and regional challenges. While data show that SDG progress is slipping in several areas, a closer analysis reveals that the vast majority of measurable targets in the region are still moving in the right direction.
  • The G7 Environment Ministers’ Meeting: Progress in 6 Areas Boosting Collective Action | Ministères transition écologique, aménagement du territoire, transports, ville et logement | 24 April 2026
    In the context of rising international tensions, heightened power struggles and weakening of multilateral compromises, this success was not guaranteed. The seven declarations is the fruit of a clear choice by the French G7 Presidency: rejecting the idea of powerlessness, preserving G7 unity and producing tangible progress where possible.
  • WMO: Likelihood increases of El Niño | WMO | 24 April 2026
    The latest monthly Global Seasonal Climate Update from WMO signals a clear shift in the Equatorial Pacific: sea-surface temperatures are rising rapidly, pointing to a likely return of El Niño conditions as early as May–July 2026. Forecasts indicate there is a “nearly global dominance of above-normal land surface temperatures” in the upcoming three-month period, and regional variations in rainfall patterns.
  • Global Report on Food Crises 2026 | FAO, WFP, and Global Network Against Food Crises | 24 April 2026
    The 10th edition of the Global Report on Food Crises confirms that in 2025, acute food insecurity remained widespread in countries/territories with food crises. For the first time in the 10-year history of the GRFC, two famines (in parts of Gaza Strip and the Sudan) were confirmed in the same year. A risk of famine persists for the Gaza Strip, Sudan and South Sudan in 2026. 
  • Drought Displaces Nearly 62,000 in Somalia as Climate Shocks Intensify | IOM | 24 April 2026
    Nearly 62,000 people have been displaced by drought across five districts in Somalia since the beginning of the year. Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows that drought now accounts for three out of every four new displacements, a 22 per cent increase from last year that underscores the growing severity of climate shocks. 
  • Climate change and the Caspian: a crisis at Europe’s edge | Ulviyya Poladova, Azernews | 24 April 2026
    The shrinking of the Caspian Sea is emerging as one of the most consequential environmental transformations of the 21st century, with far-reaching ecological, economic, and geopolitical implications. Although global discourse often focuses on rising sea levels caused by climate change, inland water bodies like the Caspian are experiencing the opposite trend-rapid desiccation driven by a complex interplay of climatic and human factors.
  • Extreme heat pushes agrifood systems to the brink | WMO/FAO | 22 April 2026
    The frequency, intensity and duration of extreme heat events have risen sharply over the past half century, and the risks to agrifood systems and ecosystems are set to soar in the future, according to “Extreme heat and agriculture,” a new report from FAO and WMO. Extreme heat events threaten the livelihoods, health and labour productivity of over a billion people. Agricultural workers and agrifood systems are on the frontlines. → Read more in the dedicated UN News article
  • ISDS is a threat to our collective future | Jean Blaylock | European Trade Justice Coalition | 22 April 2026
    Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) threatens a just transition from fossil fuels and the urgent need for a social and ecological transformation for people and the planet. The impacts of ISDS are felt in all areas of society and economy, from health care and public services to national security and chemical safety regulation. It is a profoundly anti-democratic system that undermines rights and constrains sovereignty and self-determination.
  • UNESCO names 12 new Global Geoparks | UNESCO | 22 April 2026
    UNESCO designated 12 new geoparks, bringing the total number of sites in the UNESCO Global Geopark Network to 241 in 51 countries. The 12 newly designated geoparks are located in China, France, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Tunisia – marking its first geopark – and Uruguay.
  • Driving greener, more resilient ports | UNCTAD | 22 April 2026
    UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have launched a new partnership to accelerate the transition toward more sustainable, resilient and inclusive global maritime transport. […] The agreement marks a step forward in UNCTAD’s strategic engagement with Singapore, a global maritime hub and long-standing partner in advancing trade and transport solutions.
  • Escazú Agreement COP4: Why implementation matters for protecting land and environmental defenders | Global Witness | 20 April 2026
    Countries that have yet to ratify the Escazú Agreement remain among the most dangerous places in the world for land and environmental defenders. As COP4 shifts focus from framework building to implementation, States need to turn commitments into action.
  • Time running out on development goals as finance dries up, UN warns | UN News | 20 April 2026
    The warning comes in the Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2026 (FSDR), a new UN report launched on Monday, which finds that with just four years left until the 2030 deadline for the Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress has stalled – and in some cases reversed – following the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions and growing climate impacts.
  • Over 200 Organisations Warn the Loss & Damage Fund Could Run Dry by 2027, Demand US $400 Billion Annual Lifeline | Fill The Fund | 20 April 2026
    More than 200 organizations, representing millions of people through civil society, faith-based, and Indigenous Peoples’ groups, have issued an urgent open letter coordinated by the Fill The Fund campaign. Their demand to the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) is unequivocal: implement a human rights-based Resource Mobilization Strategy (RMS) capable of delivering at least US $400 billion annually by 2035.
  • Sustainability leaders urge ISSB to agree to introduce dedicated nature standard | Nature Positive | 20 April 2026
    In an open letter to the International Sustainability Standards Board ahead of its Board Meeting on 22 April, sustainable business and finance platforms, eminent scientists, experts and civil society organizations highlight a critical opportunity to act for nature.
  • Climate displacement in Africa: Court opinion could define states’ obligations | Elodie Toto, Mongabay | 20 April 2026
    The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is expected to soon issue an advisory opinion on states’ obligations toward internally displaced persons affected by climate change. Communities are still waiting for a long-term solutions and the upcoming advisory opinion from the African Court is an important step toward addressing a growing problem across the continent.
  • When ‘why?’ becomes ‘why not?’ The case for a new global framework to tackle environmental crime | Global Initiative | 16 April 2026
    A new legal instrument to address environmental crime is urgently needed, given the growing scale, sophistication and transnational nature of these offences. However, a recent UN expert meeting dedicated to the issue ended without a consensus being reached on how to move forward.

Events

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Body Meeting

29th Task Force on Health meeting

28 – 29 Apr 2026

Online

UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution

Air Pollution | Health and Environment

SDG3 | SDG12

Virtual

Green Earth Action Day

29 Apr 2026 | 07:00 – 17:00

Online | YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn & X

GEAF

Climate | Nature

SDG4 | SDG6 | SDG11 | SDG13

Jobs

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UNEP

Consultant

Fiscal Policy Consultant

29 Apr 2026

UNEP Industry Innovation Branch

Green Economy | Climate | Nature

SDG8 | SDG12 | SDG13 | SDG17 | SDG15

Updates

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