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Newsletter 31 Aug 2026

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 31 August – 6 September 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 | Panel discussion following the presentation of the GEO-7 report at the event “A Future We Choose | Advancing Science-Policy Dialogue for System Transformations Based on the GEO-7 Report” held at Campus Biotech, on 27 August 2026. The discussion explored the findings of GEO-7, showing how rapid investments and integrated action across energy, food, materials and waste, and finance systems can put us on a more sustainable pathway. Panellists stressed that solutions already exist, but scaling them requires stronger finance, innovation, systems thinking, and cross-sector collaboration. Participants highlighted Geneva’s unique role in connecting science, policy, diplomacy, human rights, and finance to accelerate action for people and planet.

Preparing for the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals

Member States have adopted agreements that set common goals and targets to tackle the triple planetary crisis, including the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC), adopted in Bonn in September 2023 and supported by a Secretariat hosted in Geneva. This Framework provides the essential building blocks for a future in which humanity benefits from chemicals in a safe and sustainable manner, while avoiding their negative impacts. It presents a comprehensive plan with five strategic objectives and 28 targets to guide countries and stakeholders in jointly addressing the life cycle of chemicals, including products and waste, for a future in which humanity benefits from chemicals in a safe and sustainable manner, while avoiding their negative impacts. This unique multi-stakeholder agreement brings in a variety of sectors, including representatives from governments, the private sector, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, youth and academia.

In preparation for the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals, to be held from 16 to 20 November 2026 in Geneva, the GFC Secretariat and the Geneva Environment Network are hosting a series of events, resuming this week with an event focusing on “Accelerating Action for Safe and Sustainable Chemicals Management”. The session will explore how governments, industry, international organizations and other stakeholders can work together to accelerate action and how the first International Conference can help drive the next phase of global action. The discussion will also examine how the first International Conference can strengthen collaboration, align priorities and catalyse the next phase of implementation under the Global Framework on Chemicals. Participants will also receive practical information on the conference programme, key documents, partnership opportunities and registration to support meaningful engagement in the Conference. → Register on Indico to join the event in person at the International Environment House I, or on Webex to join online, on Tuesday 1 September 2026 from 14:00 to 15:30 CEST.

From Principles to Practice | Finance at 15 Years of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

In June 2011, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), establishing for the first time an authoritative global framework on the respective duties and responsibilities of states and businesses to protect, respect and remedy human rights impacts linked to business activity. Fifteen years on, in 2026, the UNGPs remain the reference framework shaping how governments, companies, investors and civil society understand and address these impacts, and are now more important than ever.

In the financial sector, while there is a longstanding history of institutions’ engagement with human rights issues, the shift toward aligning investment and lending practices with international standards such as the UNGPs has only begun in earnest more recently. Since the UN Working Group’s “UNGPs 10+” project at the ten-year mark, the role of financial institutions – as investors, lenders and enablers of economic activity – has been increasingly recognized as a critical leverage point for advancing corporate respect for human rights. For financial institutions, embedding the UNGPs is no longer only a matter of principle: it has become a source of trust with investors, regulators and clients, and a point of risk exposure where it is missing. UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has supported this shift directly, through efforts like its UNEP FI Human Rights Toolkit, which helps financial institutions translate the UNGPs’ Protect, Respect and Remedy framework into practice, and through its Human Rights Community of Practice, which brings members together to share experience and align with the UNGPs.

In celebration of 15 years of the UNGPs, this week the event “From Principles to Practice | Finance at 15 Years of the UNGPs“, co-organized by the UNEP Finance Initiative and the Geneva Environment Network, and co-sponsored by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and Swiss Sustainable Finance, will address how the UNGPs have shaped financial sector practices, and identify priorities needed to accelerate responsible finance and effective access to remedy over the decade ahead. Leading experts joining this event will discuss how we are moving forward, and which challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the sector. → Register on Indico to join the event in person at the International Environment House I or online via Webex on Thursday 3 September 2026 from 10:00 – 11:30 CEST.

Climate Action Update | COP31 Preparations, Recent Developments and Mobilization Efforts

As the world faces the consequences of climate extremes that have manifested across the planet in the past weeks, key updates on climate action include:

UN Climate Change Conference | Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026, COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum issued his third letter to the Parties on 25 August 2026. The letter outlines key milestones, priority themes and the thematic days ahead of COP31 in Antalya, and sets out a shared ambition to strengthen international cooperation, accelerate climate action and turn ambition into implementation on the road to 2035:

  • The COP31 Action Agenda is structured around ten priority themes that respond to today’s most pressing climate and geopolitical challenges and are anchored in the six axes of the Global Climate Action Agenda: (1) Clean Energy Transition and Electrification, (2) Zero Waste and Methane Reduction, (3) Climate-Resilient Cities, (4) Green Industrialization, (5) Youth and Education, (6) Food Security, (7) Oceans and Seas, (8) Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems, (9) Rio Synergies, and (10) Climate Implementation Bridge. Finance, technology and capacity-building will serve as cross-cutting enabling conditions across all priority themes, supporting their translation into practical and scalable implementation pathways.
  • Complementing the formal negotiations in Antalya, the COP31 Thematic Days will provide a platform to advance the Presidency’s priority themes through dialogue, partnerships and practical implementation. Bringing together leaders, practitioners, and communities, the thematic programme will help translate political commitment into concrete action. Each of the conference’s twelve days is dedicated to a distinct priority area of climate action, and will include the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on 11–12 November 2026 as the high-level segment. → Read more in the Presidency announcement of 24 August
  • The letter also highlights important climate events ahead of COP31, including the Istanbul Climate Finance Summit (4–5 September 2026), the Ocean and Seas Summit, to be held in Trabzon, Türkiye (10–11 September 2026), the New York Climate Week (20–27 September 2026) and the Pacific Pre-COP (5–8 October 2026). A series of Business Forums to mobilize private sector leadership, finance and innovation in support of the Paris Agreement will continue – following the first one held in the context of London Climate Action Week – at New York Climate Week and will culminate in the COP31 Business Forum in Antalya on 12–13 November.

Record Sea Surface Temperatures | The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has confirmed that daily global average sea surface temperature (SST) has reached its highest level on record, exceeding the previous record set in March 2024, with a temperature of 21.1°C on 22 August, exceeding the previous record of 21.09°C. The C3S ERA5 dataset extends back to 1979. Scientists underscore that while this milestone is consistent with the continued long-term warming of the global ocean and the emergence of an extreme El Niño event in the tropical Pacific, the record has been reached in August and not within the typical period when global ocean temperatures are at their highest (in March and April).

Upcoming Climate Reports | This week, international authoritative voices will provide important updates on the situation of climate change, including:

  • On 2 September 2026, UNEP will launch its spotlight report Limiting Overshoot: Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return.
  • On 3 September 2026, the World Meteorological Organization will release its El Niño Update, a quarterly analysis of the current conditions and evolution of the status of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon. It provides authoritative information for decision-making based on a consensus of models from WMO Global Producing Centres, experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and climate prediction centres around the world. → Watch the press conference with WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo on UN WebTV

Climate Change, Political Choices and Accountability | Ten years after the Paris Agreement, debates on climate action continue to reflect differing political priorities, economic interests, and societal values, highlighting how climate governance requires difficult policy trade-offs at both international and domestic levels. More recently, on 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in its landmark Advisory Opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change, reinforces the legal relevance of the right to health in climate action, framing inadequate climate responses not only as a policy concern but also as a potential source of legal responsibility and accountability. The extreme heatwaves, wildfires, rising sea levels, and climate-related disasters witnessed in 2026 underscore the real-world consequences of these political choices, reinforcing calls for stronger leadership and a faster transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy.

Festival Alternatiba Léman 2026 | From 31 August to 5 September 2026, the Alternatiba Léman Festival returns for its 12th edition to highlight local initiatives that are contributing to building a more sustainable future. During the week, the programme features roundtable discussions, workshops and talks on environmental and social issues. The event concludes on Saturday with the Village of Local Action at Parc des Bastions, where visitors can meet local organizations and discover practical solutions on topics such as local agriculture, sustainable mobility, energy, and community projects. 

Public Mobilizations in Geneva and Switzerland | Concerned by the multiple heatwaves that occurred this summer and the worsening heating situation, various civil society organizations active in the domain of climate action are requesting the adoption of a Climate Law (Loi Climat) for the Canton of Geneva, to ensure a local legal basis to implement the Paris Agreement and move towards carbon neutrality as quickly as possible. The demonstration in favour of this legislation will take place on 3 September 2026. To oppose the scenario of 50 °C summers in Switzerland, a coalition of multiple organizations – Coalition 50 degrés – is calling for widespread, united action at the start of the new school year to demand an emergency action plan combining adaptation and mitigation measures. Mobilizations and demonstrations will take place across Switzerland later in September.

UNCCD COP17 Advances New Pathways for Land Restoration, Drought Resilience and Implementation

After two weeks of negotiations on land degradation, desertification and drought, the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, was gavelled to a close at 2:36 local time on Saturday 29 August (20:26 CEST on 28 August). The conference placed rangelands and pastoralists at the centre of the global land agenda, and marked the first formal meetings of the UNCCD Indigenous Peoples Caucus and Local Communities Caucus. This important milestone concluded with governments and partners announcing a US$1.3 billion portfolio to support land restoration and drought resilience projects across 23 countries, reinforcing the shift from commitments to implementation. The conference also advanced action on rangelands, sustainable food systems, and sand and dust storms, highlighting the need for greater investment to meet global land restoration goals. While negotiations revealed disagreements and progress on some issues, including drought governance, remained limited, participants broadly agreed on the need for multilateral cooperation. In their closing statements, many delegates expressed regret over the absence of discussion on certain issues and the limited progress made on others. Several also reaffirmed the critical importance of multilateral cooperation, noting that land-related challenges transcend national boundaries. As stated by UNCCD Executive Secretary, Yasmine Fouad:

Mongolia has helped move rangelands and pastoralists from the margins towards the centre of the global land agenda. New investment pathways are taking shape. New tools are strengthening drought resilience. And Parties have found common ground across important areas of the Convention’s work. None of this was easy. There were difficult negotiations and real differences between Parties. But multilateralism is not about everyone arriving with the same position. It is about finding enough common ground to move forward together. And Ulaanbaatar moved us forward.

The next session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties, COP18, is expected to take place in Egypt, in 2028, carrying forward the momentum built in Ulaanbaatar.

Outcomes and initiatives launched at UNCCD COP17 include:

  • Launch of the Rio Synergies Action Group | During the High-Level Dialogue “From Ambition to Action: Delivering Rio Convention Synergies across the Triple COP Year,” convened by the Presidencies of UNCCD COP17, incoming CBD COP17 and incoming UNFCCC COP31, the COP31 Presidency Process, led by Türkiye, was launched. It aims to establish the Rio Synergies Group for Action, intended to support a voluntary, country-led implementation by connecting existing national priorities across climate, biodiversity and land with existing partnerships, technical expertise, implementation, knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and financing opportunities, with a view to its formal launch at UNFCCC COP31 in Antalya. The process builds on the Belém process and statement on the Rio Conventions by the outgoing Presidencies of UNCCD COP16, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and UNFCCC COP30, Brazil.
  • Launch of the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF) | Co-created by the Government of Luxembourg and the UNCCD, with the support of the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), DRIF is a new catalytic finance platform aiming to mobilize up to USD 400 million in public and private capital. The Facility also announced its first strategic partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to explore opportunities to unlock private and philanthropic finance through the GEF’s Blended Finance Program.
  • Progress on a proposed pooled fund under the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP) | The proposed fund would strengthen drought resilience for around 70 low- and lower-middle-income countries.
  • Unveiling of the world’s first Drought Resilience Index | As part of Phase II of the International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO), the first global observatory dedicated to drought resilience, the instrument has transformed into an online platform that can help countries move beyond monitoring drought hazards to strengthening their resilience. At its core is the world’s first Drought Resilience Index (DRI), enabling countries to assess their capacity to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to drought while identifying vulnerabilities and informing more effective policies and investments.
  • New World Restoration Flagships | The UN awarded three new World Restoration Flagships under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), jointly led by UNEP and FAO. The initiatives are strengthening landscape productivity by restoring degraded ecosystems in regions facing drought, desertification and climate change:

Read more on the outcomes:

Reports launched at UNCCD COP17 include:

Melting Glaciers, Rising Risks

While seasonal glacier melt is a natural process, the record temperatures experienced this year are accelerating ice loss and threatening the long-term survival of many glaciers. Their rapid retreat can also increase the risk of disasters such as floods, landslides and ice avalanches, as recent events have tragically demonstrated.

Nepal Floods | On Wednesday 26 August at 8:37 a.m., a mountainside high in the Himalayas, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, near the border with Nepal, collapsed. The slope failure involving a glacier generated energy equivalent to a magnitude-5.2 earthquake. The failure of the bedrock beneath a glacier released a massive volume of ice and rock roughly 1,200 metres towards the valley floor. Water, sediment and boulders surged into the rivers below, sweeping through towns and villages along one of Nepal’s most important trade routes with China. As underscored by WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, “the event underscores why we need to close gaps across the warning value chain – from sustained monitoring and timely detection of emerging hazards, to resilient observing networks, the integration of satellite, in situ, meteorological and hydrological information, and rapid exchange of data across borders.” WFP situation report of 30 August mentions that the death toll has risen to approximately 734 people, with around 242 injured and 2,448 people still reported missing in Nepal as search and recovery operations continue. More than 8,198 people have been rescued to date.

Alpine Glaciers and Mountains | GLAMOS glaciologist Matthias Huss warned that the 2026 exceptionally hot summer season has been among the worst for Swiss glaciers since measurements began and expects that dozens of small glaciers could disappear entirely. The Gries Glacier, in the Valais canton, has lost six metres of ice and more than 9 billion litres of water since last autumn – a volume equivalent to Switzerland’s annual agricultural irrigation requirements. According to GLAMOS, around 30 Swiss glaciers, including the Bella Tola, could disappear by the end of summer 2026.

Greenland glacier | Petermann Glacier in northwest Greenland suffered from the breaking of a 76 km² section of the glacier’s floating ice tongue on 4 August 2026. The event marks the glacier’s largest loss of floating ice since 2012 and the most significant calving event in the Arctic since 2020 – revealing once again how rapidly Earth’s polar landscapes can change.

Impact of Glacier Retreat on Biodiversity | A recent study published in the journal Oikos describes a fascinating example of how the use of floral resources by honey bees and wild bees, alongside the landscape changes induced by glacier retreat, can greatly influence pathogen transmission dynamics.

Advancing Negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty | Road to INC-5.4

The road towards the fourth part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5.4) continues to advance. Recent developments are reflected in the latest correspondence from the INC Chair, H.E. Amb. Julio Cordano, who:

  • Published on 20 August a Note on the second informal in-person meeting of Heads of Delegation to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution to take place from 27 to 30 September 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. In the note, the Chair describes the objective of the meeting as providing further opportunities for Members of the Committee to exchange views and advance discussions in preparation for INC-5.4, more specifically, on possible ways forward on the Aid to Negotiations and in the spirit of togetherness and unity. The proposed outcomes include advancing work in view of the preparation of the second iteration of the Aid to Negotiations, which will be released following additional consultations. The meeting will also be captured in the Chair’s summary. The meeting will be held in Head of Delegation + 3 format, guided by the concepts of Pamoja (“togetherness”) and Umoja (“unity”) and drawing inspiration from the Thai concepts of Samakkhi (“unity and harmony”) and Ruam Jai (“united in purpose”). The work will be structured in four Clusters of predetermined sets of topics, to support focused and productive engagement while maintaining a holistic view of the instrument, recognizing the need for the instrument to reflect diverse national circumstances and capacities.
  • Shared the Possible elements for draft resolutions for consideration by the diplomatic conference of plenipotentiaries, which is intended to allow Members to more easily visualize and discuss the interplay between what must be included in the instrument at the time of adoption and what details could be clarified by the Conference of the Parties at a later point, as the content of the resolutions will complement the final text of the instrument. It is not intended to prejudge the positions of Members or limit Members’ ability to continue raising issues and exploring possible solutions as work continues. It is also not intended to prejudge the final content of the draft resolutions to be agreed and forwarded by the Committee to the Diplomatic Conference for its consideration.

12th Informal Meeting of the Group of Friends for Enhanced Civil Society Participation in UNEP-led Events | Geneva Section

First started in 2024, the Group of Friends for Enhanced Civil Society Participation in UNEP events brings together Member States and Major Groups to advance ambitious environmental outcomes.

The twelfth informal meeting of the Group of Friends for enhanced civil society participation in UNEP-led events will take place on Thursday, 3 September 2026 from 14:00 to 15:30 CEST. Representatives based in Geneva are gathering in the same room at the International Environment House. The meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange views on various agenda items.

Hoffmann Centre for Global Sustainability 2nd Annual Flagship Conference

Two years after its creation in 2024 and following a defining first year of global convening, the Hoffmann Centre for Global Sustainability, one of the Geneva Graduate Institute research centres, will convene its 2nd Annual Flagship Conference on 3 and 4 September 2026 at Domaine Barton. The conference will bring together leading scholars, policymakers, practitioners and finance leaders to foster interdisciplinary dialogue at the intersection of sustainability, governance, economics, climate, and global systems transformation. → Access the full programme and register to attend

More Happening Abroad

World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum (WTPF-26) | The World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum (WTPF) provides a global platform for governments, industry, academia, civil society and the technical community to exchange perspectives, explore emerging policy issues, and contribute to shaping international dialogue on the future of telecommunication and ICT policy. WTPF-26 will take place in Nassau, The Bahamas, from 2 to 4 September 2026 under the theme “Accelerating an inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and innovative digital future“. With green digital transformation among the thematic areas of the forum, environmental discussions will feature prominently in the agenda and will include the launch of the Greening Digital Companies 2026: Monitoring emissions and climate commitments during the Green Digital Transformation session on 2 September 2026.

International Meeting on Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation | In 2024, the UN General Assembly resolution 79/60 on “Addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons: providing victim assistance and environmental remediation to Member States affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons” requested the Secretary-General to convene a one-day international meeting on victim assistance and environmental remediation in 2026. One year later, the General Assembly, by its resolution 80/56, decided that the formal meeting would be held at United Nations Headquarters, and will be open to civil society representatives, including from organizations accredited to ECOSOC, scientists, representatives of communities affected by the use, production and testing of nuclear weapons, and academia. In accordance with both resolutions, a one-day meeting on victim assistance and environmental remediation is taking place on 1 September 2026 in the Economic and Social Council Chamber at the UN Headquarters in New York, from 10:00 EDT (16:00 CEST).

Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 22) | The ISWG-GHG is a technical subgroup of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that reports to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). Taking place from 1 to 4 September 2026 at the IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom, discussions are expected to focus on outstanding elements of the draft IMO Net-Zero Framework and the path towards greater convergence ahead of further negotiations later this year. Recent news include:

Enjoying the Last Weeks of Green Summer in Geneva

With the summer now in its final month, suggestions to enjoy green summer activities during your free time this week include:

  • Festival Alternatiba Léman | 31 August- 5 September 2026 | Alternatiba Léman | Uni Mail & Parc des Bastions
    The Alternatiba Léman Festival highlights local initiatives that are helping build a more sustainable future. During the week, the programme features roundtable discussions, workshops and talks on environmental and social issues. The weekend concludes with the Village of Local Action, where visitors can meet local organizations and discover practical solutions on topics such as local agriculture, sustainable mobility, energy, and community projects. 
  • Exposition “Évian ville durable” | Until 31 August 2026 | Évian Tourisme & Congrès | Promenade des quais, Évian
    While strolling along the shores of Lake Geneva in Évian-les-Bains, take a moment to discover the “Évian ville durable” exhibition. Through eight thematic panels, learn more about the city’s initiatives to address today’s environmental challenges, from biodiversity and climate action to sustainable food, energy and responsible water management. 
  • Emportons malin | Until 1 September 2026 | Various Locations
    Choose a more sustainable way to enjoy your takeaway meal with Emportons Malin. This campaign encourages visitors to replace single-use packaging with reusable containers at participating food halls in Geneva. Meet the campaign team, discover practical waste-free solutions, and even receive a free reusable lunch box with the purchase of a meal while stocks last. 
  • Janus at the Bioparc | Until 1 September 2026 | Muséum de Genève | Bioparc Genève
    Meet Janus, Geneva’s remarkable two-headed Greek tortoise, during his temporary stay at the Bioparc. Each of his heads has its own brain and personality, which can make even a simple walk rather complicated. Visitors can see him in a specially designed enclosure and learn more about the daily care that has helped him reach the exceptional age of 26. 
  • Théâtre de l’Orangerie | Until 5 September 2026 | Parc La Grange
    The Théâtre de l’Orangerie returns for its summer season with a diverse programme of theatre, music, dance, exhibitions and family-friendly performances. Taking place in the scenic setting of Parc La Grange, the festival gathers artists from a variety of disciplines, offering audiences a vibrant cultural programme during the summer. 
  • Festival de La Bâtie 2026 | Until 13 September 2026 | Various Locations
    Celebrating its 50th edition, La Bâtie – Festival de Genève returns with 18 days of music, dance, theatre, circus and performance across Geneva and the surrounding area. From major shows to more unexpected artistic experiences, the festival takes over around thirty venues, bringing audiences together to celebrate creativity, curiosity and 50 years of artistic exploration. 
  • Atelier sur la faune et la flore du lac | Until 16 September 2026 | La Libellule | Bains des Pâquis
    Discover the hidden life of Lake Geneva during these interactive workshops led by the association La Libellule. Taking place at the Bains des Pâquis, the sessions introduce participants to the lake’s wildlife and plant life, from fish and birds to algae, crustaceans and plankton. A fun and educational activity for anyone curious about the local environment. 
  • Exhibition – Oh mon drapeau! | Until 18 September 2026 | Ville de Carouge
    Take a stroll through Carouge and discover a colourful open-air exhibition where ten artists reinterpret the city’s flag in their own unique style. Displayed alongside stories from Carouge’s history, the artworks offer a fresh and creative way to explore the town’s identity, heritage and symbols while wandering through its streets. 
  • Expo – Ornitho | Until 22 September 2026 | La Libellule | Centre nature de La Libellule
    This free photography exhibition invites visitors to discover the beauty and diversity of Switzerland’s birdlife through the lens of nature photographer Damien Oberson. From the colourful hoopoe and European roller to the bearded vulture and wallcreeper, the exhibition captures these remarkable species in striking images. 
  • Botanic Circus Exhibition | Until 30 September 2026 | Tuesday to Friday, from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm | Alice Izzo | Jardin des Nations
    Step into a colourful world where plants, flowers, and fruit take centre stage. Created by Geneva-based artist Alice Izzo, Botanic Circus transforms the Jardin des Nations into an immersive open-air exhibition blending nature, illustration and imagination. Wander through the installations, discover playful artworks inspired by the living world, and enjoy a programme of workshops and events throughout the summer. 
  • Prendre Racine – Hommes et Plantes en Exil | Until 30 September 2026 | ProSpecieRara | Various locations
    This travelling exhibition explores the botanical knowledge and agricultural traditions brought north of the Alps by Huguenot and Waldensian refugees in the late 17th century. Through the stories of gardening and cultural exchange, it highlights the lasting impact of exile on landscapes and communities. The exhibition also draws connections to contemporary issues by showcasing intercultural gardens and reflecting on biodiversity, migration, and climate change across several locations in Switzerland.
  • Exhibition – LÉMAN ÊTRE VIVANT | Until 18 October 2026 | Espace Léman
    See Lake Geneva from a completely different perspective through this immersive exhibition combining photography, films, sculptures, sound installations, and storytelling. Created by the Hydromondes collective, LÉMAN ÊTRE VIVANT invites visitors to think of the lake as a living ecosystem, connected to its rivers, forests, glaciers, wildlife and communities. A programme of workshops and family activities complements the exhibition throughout the summer. 
  • Hortus Botanicus Helveticus: Together for 30 years | Until 29 November 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    Marking the 30th anniversary of Hortus Botanicus Helveticus, this outdoor exhibition celebrates the work of Switzerland’s 30 botanical gardens. As you walk through the Jardin Botanique de Genève, discover 30 illustrated displays, each featuring a representative plant species and highlighting the important role these gardens play in protecting biodiversity and preserving plant life for future generations. 
  • Create Your Own Rousseau-Style Herbarium | Until 23 December 2026 | Jardin Botanique de Genève
    Discover the art of herbarium making in this hands-on workshop inspired by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Using dried flowers, plants, and traditional paper, participants can create their own herbarium sheet while learning about plant identification and the scientific techniques behind this botanical practice. The activity is free and suitable for visitors aged four and above.

What (Else) to Read Next?

  • The human, environmental and economic cost of the war on Iran | Greenpeace | 28 August 2026
    Six months after the US-Israeli war on Iran began, civilians, ecosystems and households far beyond the battlefield are still paying its price. The costs appear in lives lost and displaced, polluted seas and air, and higher bills driven by a fossil fuel-dependent energy system.
  • As mineral reserves dwindle, the world races to secure the materials we need to decarbonize | UNEP | 27 August 2026
    Throughout human history, one truth has remained constant: our world runs on natural resources. From gold rushes to oil booms, access to and control of these resources has always been a central part of civilizations’ struggle to survive and thrive. Today, “critical energy transition minerals” – including copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth – have taken centre stage in the global debate over our collective future. Essential components of many renewable energy technologies, these minerals are vital to the clean energy revolution on which our climate depends.
  • New WIPO Report Reveals Rapid Growth in Global Green Technology Innovation | WIPO | 26 August 2026
    Green technology innovation has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, with global patenting in green technologies nearly quadrupling between 2003 and 2023, according to a new WIPO report. The report introduces the WIPO Green Technology Inventory for Statistical Use (WIPO-GTIS), a new harmonized methodology developed by WIPO that provides a consistent and internationally comparable way to measure green technology innovation using patent data.
  • The 2026 drought: Frequently asked questions and answers | Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner | 24 August 2026
    Leaves turning brown as early as July, and watercourses running at record-low levels: the summer of 2026 was extremely dry and hot. Researchers from WSL and SLF answer frequently asked questions.
  • Quand les médias sous‑informent et désinforment à propos de la crise environnementale | Pauline Amiel | The Conversation | 22 August 2026
    The evidence of under-reporting is undeniable. Since 2024, the Media Observatory on Ecology (OME) has been measuring the proportion of environmental topics in media news content. In April 2026, only 4.8 per cent of articles published across the print media and 4 per cent of broadcast content in France concerned environmental crises, according to the observatory, which was set up by a consortium of NGOs committed to improving media coverage of climate issues and is funded, amongst others, by the Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe).
  • International Cooperation for a Water-Secure Future | Global Cities Hub | August 2026
    Water is fundamental to life, human dignity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. Yet water resources are under unprecedented stress due to population growth, rapid urbanization, climate change, pollution, and inadequate governance. With 68% of the world’s population projected to live in cities by 2050, ensuring effective urban planning, sanitation and reliable water services will be critical to protecting public health, advancing equality, and achieving sustainable development. Local and regional governments (LRGs) play a front line role in providing equitable access and resilient systems – for which they require better participation in global decision-making, as well as stronger financial and institutional support.
  • War and the environment in the Middle East: degradation, governance, and the way forward | FES | July 2026
    In the Middle East, armed conflict is increasingly undermining not only human security and infrastructure but also the environmental systems on which livelihoods and long-term stability depend. This reflects a broader global trend in which rising organized violence and ecological degradation interact in mutually reinforcing ways. In conflict settings, the environment is not merely a passive backdrop but a system shaped by human action and integral to well-being. Warfare damages critical infrastructure, depletes natural resources, erodes biodiversity, and instrumentalizes nature for political objectives, while governance constraints often relegate environmental protection to a secondary concern. Crucially, the consequences reach beyond ecological damage, exacerbating social vulnerability and complicating recovery.

Events

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Conference

Santé, biodiversité, IA | ECCB

31 Aug 2026 | 13:30 – 17:15

CICG

SIB

Digital Cooperation | Health and Environment | Nature

SDG3 | SDG9 | SDG14 | SDG15

Virtual

Mercury Wastes | Minamata Online

03 Sep 2026 | 13:00 – 14:00

Online | Webex

Minamata Convention

Chemicals and Pollution | Health and Environment

SDG3 | SDG12

Jobs

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Updates

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23 Aug 2026

Ongoing Contests

Climate | Nature | Chemicals and Pollution

SDG11 | SDG12

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