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Newsletter 04 Aug 2025

Environment: What’s Up in GENeva | 4 – 10 August 2025

The Geneva Environment Network’s weekly newsletter includes the latest information on the global environmental agenda, main events, job vacancies, as well as other useful resources and updates. Stay tuned and follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, and Youtube, or visit our website regularly for additional updates.

Image of the week | “The Thinker’s Burden / Le Fardeau du Penseur”, an epic artwork by artivist Benjamin Von Wong, installed in Place des Nations ahead of the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. © Benjamin Von Wong, Von Wong Productions 2025

All Eyes on Geneva as Plastics Treaty Negotiations Resume

This month, all eyes are on Geneva as over 3,500 delegates and observers from all over the world gather for the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5.2) to conclude the negotiations process after they were adjourned in December in Busan, Republic of Korea. Following a full day of regional and stakeholder meetings on 4 August 2025, negotiations will begin on 5 August 2025 and are expected to conclude on 14 August 2025. The session will also count on the presence of Ministers and other high-level officials from 12 to 14 August 2025.

→ Follow the negotiations on UN TV, through the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily coverage, the Geneva Environment Network social media channels, the Global Plastics Diplomacy Briefing daily wraps and Break Free From Plastics POPLite daily summaries. Find additional resources and experts to follow on social media on our Road to Geneva | Plastic Pollution INC-5.2 update.

In the eight months following the adoption of the ‘Chair’s Text’ (1 December 2024) as a basis for negotiations, Member States and observers have informally met to discuss the contained articles and how to strengthen their content and language. At INC-5.2, negotiators will have to agree on the text of the plastics treaty, with major points of contention related to primary plastics production caps, chemicals of concern in plastic products, and financing the treaty implementation.

This additional session of the negotiations process in Geneva holds strong symbolic significance. Discussions on the need for ambitious action on plastic pollution, from the chemicals, health, human rights, trade, finance, green economy and more aspects have taken place in Geneva well ahead of the negotiations process started with the adoption of the United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 5/14 in 2022, and contributed to generating momentum towards this historic milestone. Experts and actors from Geneva have been highly engaged in the negotiating process through their participation in the six meetings through analyses, reports and by bringing forward action on plastic pollution in other fora such as the Human Rights Council, the World Health Assembly, the World Trade Organization and more. The Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues have offered the space for conversations to turn into synergetic action.

Various activities are taking place in the margins of this major conference. → For an outlook of activities organized in the margins of the Conference consult the INC-5.2 Offsite Buzz dedicated page.

Events organized by the INC Secretariat and the Host Country include:

  • Conversation with Observers | 4 August 2025, 11:00 – 12:00 CEST | Assembly Hall, Building A, Palais des Nations
  • Multistakeholder Forum | 4 August 2025, 13:00 – 17:30 CEST | Palais des Nations, Assembly Hall | Organized by Switzerland | For registered INC-5.2 participants.
  • Host Reception | 5 August 2025, 18:00 – 19:30 CEST | Organized by Switzerland | For registered INC-5.2 participants only.

Events taking place this week in the margins of INC-5.2 include:

Highly engaged in the process, actors from Geneva have submitted information to the INC Secretariat and developed recent resources, including:

Other recent positions in preparation of INC-5.2 include:

→ Find additional resources on our dedicated page Road to Geneva | Plastic Pollution INC-5.2.

Additional news on plastics include:

Victory for Climate Justice and the Planet

23 July 2025 marked a turning point in the fight against climate change, as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s principal judicial body, released its much awaited advisory opinion on States’ obligations with respect to climate change and the legal consequences for failing to live up to these obligations. The world’s highest court unanimously ruled that States have an obligation to protect the environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the obligation under the Paris Agreement on climate change to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and act with due diligence and cooperation to fulfill this obligation. The Court further ruled that if States breach these obligations, they incur legal responsibility and may be required to cease the wrongful conduct, offer guarantees of non-repetition and make full reparation depending on the circumstances. The ICJ has adopted the Advisory Opinion unanimously — only the fifth time in its nearly eighty-year history that it has done so.

Among the key findings of the Advisory Opinion, the Court confirmed:

  • International Law Demands More Than Voluntary Action: Simply following the Paris Agreement is not enough. The Court says that States have obligations under relevant areas of international law, including human rights, environmental law, and relevant treaty commitments, which must be implemented together and harmoniously.
  • Clear Legal Duties: The Court confirms that States and major and historical polluters have a clear legal obligation to cut emissions, prevent serious harm, and work together to protect those most at risk, both within their borders and beyond. This duty applies to fossil fuel consumption, extraction, expansion, and subsidies, or a lack of adequate regulation, and extends to States that are not a party to climate change treaties and private entities that operate within their jurisdiction.
  • Best Available Science as the Standard: The Court recognizes that decisions must be guided by the best available science, especially reports from the IPCC. The Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C temperature limit is the is legal reference point for determining sufficient ambition, action, and responsibility. The decision confirms that “business as usual” is no longer acceptable: States that fail to act, allow high emissions, or ignore the science can now be held internationally accountable.
  • Human Rights and Climate Justice Go Hand in Hand: Governments are required to protect people’s rights to life, health, a healthy environment, and self-determination. Special attention is required for Indigenous Peoples, Small Island Developing States, youth, and future generations. The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a precondition to respect, protect and fulfill all other human rights.
  • Accountability and Remedies: The Court affirms that States with high historical and current emissions have heightened obligations to remedy climate harm, including through reparations, support, and regulation of private actors. The Court makes clear that States can be held responsible for both what they do and what they fail to do. Ceasing conduct causing climate harm might require revoking all administrative measures and policies contributing to such damage.

In its conclusion, the Court highlights that the questions posed by the General Assembly represent more than a legal problem: “they concern an existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet.” The Court also concludes, noting that through this Opinion, it is participating in the activities of the United Nations and the international community represented in that body, with the hope that its conclusions will allow the law to inform and guide social and political action to address the ongoing climate crisis.

→ Consult the ICJ advisory opinion and its summary. Rewatch the live diplomatic screening and expert commentary in Geneva of the historic moment. Read the ICJ press release, the Daily Debrief by the World’s Youth for Climate Justice, and the coverage by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Various reactions and opinions on this historic moment have emerged, including:

The historic decision of the ICJ follows a day after the UN Secretary-General delivered a special address to Member States on the unstoppable global shift to renewable energy. In his address, UN Secretary‑General Guterres declared the world has “passed the point of no return” on the shift to renewables and implored governments to file sweeping new climate plans ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in November, saying the fossil fuel era is nearing its end, that and “the energy transition is unstoppable, but the transition is not yet fast enough or fair enough.” A special technical report, “Seizing the moment of opportunity: supercharging the new energy era of renewables, efficiency, and electrification,” provides a high-level synthesis of the state of play of — and the economic imperative and opportunity for — accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy, with a particular focus on the roles of renewables, electrification, and energy efficiency.

Additional news on climate include:

Celebrating the World’s Indigenous Peoples | Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Age of AI

9 August marks the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, as a day to raise awareness of the needs of Indigenous population groups, in commemoration of the day of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, held in Geneva in 1982. On this day, people from around the world are encouraged to spread the United Nation’s message on the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This year’s celebration, held under the theme “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures“, will put a spotlight on why respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights is essential to realizing the positive potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and avoiding perpetuating harm. While AI can support cultural revitalization, youth empowerment, and even adaptation to climate chance, it often reinforces bias, exclusion, and misrepresentation towards Indigenous Peoples. Most AI systems are built without Indigenous input, risking the misuse of their data, knowledge, and identities. Besides, massive data centers can also impact Indigenous lands, resources, and ecosystems. This is a new issue added to the barriers to accessing new technologies, especially in rural areas, excluding Indigenous from full participation in AI-related processes. → Join the global virtual commemoration of the International Day organized by UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs on 9 August 2025 from 15:00 – 16:30 CEST.

→ Learn more in our update about the role of International Geneva in protecting, promoting, and upholding the rights, practices, customs, and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples in relation to the environment.

Outcomes of Ramsar Convention COP15

The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Wetlands — held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” — concluded on 31 July 2025 at 16:57 Zimbabwe Time. Marking a successful gathering of global leaders, experts and stakeholders committed to the conservation and wise use of wetlands, during the two weeks of meetings, COP15:

  • Adopted 25 draft resolutions intended to further the protection and wise use of wetlands, including Ukraine’s draft resolution on extension of Resolution XIV.20, to continue assessment of the impact of the Russian Federation’s aggression on Ukraine’s wetlands.
  • Adopted the Fifth Strategic Plan to guide the Convention’s work for the next decade;
  • Approved a historic 4.1% increase for the next biennium, 2026 to 2028, with an effective increase of 1.8% from parties’ contributions, 2.1% from partial use of the surplus fund, and 0.2% from other sources.
  • Received the announcement of Russia’s withdrawal from the Convention on Wetlands;
  • Welcomed Saudi Arabia as the newest contracting party;
  • Accepted Panama’s offer to host the next meeting, COP16, in Panama City in July 2028;
  • Consult the Convention on Wetlands Draft Session Reports and the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin summary of the session.

Additional news on the Convention on Wetlands COP15 include:

Outcomes of the 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority

The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA30) concluded on 25 July 2025, culminating five intensive weeks of work across ISA’s organs, the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC), the Finance Committee and the Council, which resulted in decisive progress in advancing the Authority’s regulatory and institutional mandate. Outcomes of ISA30 include:

  • Progress made on the Common Heritage Fund | The Assembly adopted a decision to advance work on the development of a Common Heritage Fund. Envisioned as a financial toolbox to support long-term sustainability, capacity-building and equitable benefit-sharing, the Fund will serve as one of the possible mechanisms to implement the economic benefits of the regime in the Area.
  • Establishment of International Day of the Deep Seabed | The Assembly established 1 November as the International Day of the Deep Seabed as proposed by the sponsoring countries, Fiji, Jamaica, Malta and Singapore. The annual observance will promote greater understanding of the deep seabed and its resources while fostering international cooperation in its sustainable management.
  • Operationalization of the Economic Planning Commission | The Council decided to set the stage for the Economic Planning Commission to assess the potential economic impacts of seabed mining on developing, land-based mineral producers and to recommend measures that mitigate adverse effects.
  • Read more in ISA press release and the Earth Negotiations Bulletin summary

While the ISA Council continued discussion of the draft regulations and completed the second reading of the rest of the regulations (56-107), outstanding issues remain and the Council decided to adopt a thematic approach to the continuation of the elaboration of rules, regulations, and procedures relating to exploitation (ISBA/30/C/18). While completing the exploitation regulations for the deep-sea bed was a priority for many delegations at ISA30, many others called for a precautionary approach to avoid irreparable harm to the deep sea. The latter approach is backed by experts such as Jessica Battle of WWF, who claims, “We cannot afford to rush into an untested industry that could cause irreversible harm. We urge all states to act with care, courage, and foresight—and to join the growing global call for a moratorium or precautionary pause.”

Additional reactions and news on ISA30 include:

Enjoying Green Summer in Geneva

With schools closed and many beginning their summer holidays this week, Geneva offers various opportunities to enjoy the free time and discover the city and its nature through open-air festivals and lakeside activities to exhibitions, workshops, and nature walks. Whether you’re looking to cool off in green spaces, dive into sustainability, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature in full bloom, find your inspiration for a vibrant Green Summer in Geneva. Suggestions for this week include:

  • CinéTransat – More Than Just Outdoor Cinema | Until 17 August 2025 | CinéTransat
    Since 2009, CinéTransat has brought the city together for free open-air screenings of cult classics, indie gems, and short films—plus much more. More than a film festival, it’s a warm, playful, and communal event held in public spaces. People gather solo or in groups, bring picnics, dress up, play games, and sing or dance before the movie starts. As night falls, the crowd joins in with the film—whistling, clapping, and singing along in true CinéTransat style.
  • Nature Workshop – A Mountain of Biodiversity | 4 – 10 August 2025 | Megève, France
    The Château des Rubins team offers 8 fun, hands-on workshops exploring mountain biodiversity from a unique perspective.
    Through playful experiments, ancient skills, and thematic walks, participants dive into the relationship between humans and the alpine ecosystem. This year’s special focus is on wetland habitats—a chance to reflect on sustainability and the future of mountain communities.
  • Biodiversity, Differently | 5 August 2025 | Conservatory and Botanical Garden
    In the shade of the trees, come explore biodiversity in a fresh, playful way—through storytelling, games, and nature-themed coloring activities! Join cultural mediators outdoors in the gardens to read books about plants, listen to fascinating stories, and discover the richness of the plant world. If it rains, activities take place indoors in the mediation space. A relaxed, creative afternoon perfect for children and families.
  • Art in the Garden | 6 August 2025 | Conservatory and Botanical Garden
    Take a guided tour and discover its hidden treasures along the way. Various sculptures and works of art from the FMAC (Fonds d’art contemporain de la Ville de Genève) collection dot the paths and reveal their stories. Come and be surprised, and discover some unexpected works!
  • The Masterpiece at Sea – Bibliomobile | 5- 6 August 2025 | Quai Gustave-Ador
    An English presentation of a maritime-themed artwork from the MAH collections. Dive into a sea of stories and artistic wonders!
    The Bibliothèque d’art et d’archéologie (BAA) sets sail and drops anchor at Quai Gustave-Ador to embark readers and young sailors on a cultural adventure through salty sea spray. Let yourself drift from one book to the next and be carried away by the current of stories.
  • On the Water Geneva Festival | 9 August 2025 | Lake Geneva
    On the Water Geneva Festival is an open-air electronic music event with an original concept. DJs perform live from a large catamaran, creating a unique sound and visual experience for festival-goers. The public joins in from boats, rental vessels, pedalos, or paddleboards. This free-access festival celebrates electronic music, creativity, and Geneva’s lacustrine heritage in a festive, inclusive summer atmosphere.
  • BORN IN … PPM au pont de la Machine | Until 26 October 2025 | Pont de la Machine
    This photography project aims to demonstrate the increase in CO2 concentration in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. Participants pose with the PPM rate, parts per million. This rate is the amount of CO2 contained in the atmosphere in the year they were born. An artistic project committed to mobilizing action to combat fossil fuels and climate change. 

What (Else) To Read Next?

  • The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 | FAO | 28 July 2025
    While some progress and recovery have been made in recent years, the world is still above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and far from eradicating hunger and food insecurity by 2030 (SDG Target 2.1). Similarly, despite some progress in the global nutrition targets, the world is not on track to achieve SDG Target 2.2. Among other factors, persistent food price inflation has slowed this momentum.
  • How Clustering Multilateral Environmental Agreements Can Bring Multiple Benefits to the Environment | Inter Press Service | 28 July 2025
    “Currently, there are hundreds of different multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in force but perhaps only 20-30 core global MEAs with broad international participation,” Dodds and Spence write. Bringing the fragmented set of environmental conventions together in clusters to address the interconnected issues they address could strengthen their work, reduce inefficiencies, and fill significant gaps in how the UN approaches the triple plenary crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution.
  • Illegal mercury from Indonesia ends up in domestic and international markets | Nexus3 Foundation | 26 July 2025
    Nexus3’s new report highlighted that between 2014 and 2023, Indonesia exported 2,196 tons of mercury under HS code 280540 to various countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, UK, Sudan, Egypt, and Japan, worth almost USD 8,560,000. Most trade flow numbers between Indonesia and its trade partners are reported via the UN Comtrade platform, matched with the export-import data of BPS-Statistics Indonesia. 
  • Traffickers Leave No Stone Unturned | EIA | 24 July 2025
    EIA’s groundbreaking investigation reveals the largest mercury smuggling operation ever documented. Over 200 tons of toxic mercury have been trafficked from Mexican mercury mines to illegal gold mines in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, from April 2019 to June 2025. This transnational trade, in violation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, is fueling violence, forest destruction, and the release of massive amounts of mercury in the Amazon, which contaminates ecosystems and communities.
  • WHO unveils health and environment scorecards for 194 countries | WHO | 24 July 2025
    The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the 2024 update of its health and environment country scorecards, assessing how countries are managing eight major environmental threats to health across sectors. These threats include air pollution, unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate change, loss of biodiversity, exposure to chemicals and radiation, occupational risks, and environmental risks in and around health care facilities. 
  • Agence américaine de protection de l’environnement : 10 reculs pour satisfaire les vieux démons trumpiens | Liberation | 24 July 2025
    En six mois, le président américain a transformé l’institution gardienne du climat et de la santé en cheval de Troie du backlash écologique. «Libé» recense les reculs les plus inquiétants.
  • Argentina accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, five remaining for entry into force | WTO | 22 July 2025
    Argentina deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 22 July. Ambassador Gustavo Lunazzi presented Argentina’s instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Just five more acceptances are needed for the Agreement to enter into force.
  • 91% of New Renewable Projects Now Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels Alternatives | IRENA | 22 July 2025
    New IRENA report confirms cost-competitiveness of renewables; warns of mounting grid integration and financing challenges notably in emerging and capital-constrained markets     .
  • The State of Commodity Dependence 2025 | UNCTAD | 21 July 2025
    An economy is considered “commodity-dependent” when over 60% of its merchandise exports are commodities, mainly comprising energy, mining and agricultural categories. In this report, UNCTAD provides detailed statistical profiles of its 195 member states, exploring how their commodity exports and imports have changed when comparing the three-year periods between 2021–2023 and 2012–2014.
  • Devastating floods highlight dangers and challenges for warnings | WMO | 21 July 2025
    Major flood disasters in Asia and the United States of America have caused heavy casualties and economic losses in July, highlighting the dangers and the challenges in ensuring that early warnings reach those who need them.
  • UNESCO report warns of extracting activities near World Heritage sites | UNESCO, Church of England Pensions Board, Greenbank, IUCN and WWF | 15 July 2025
    The report, “Extractive Activities in UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Commitments, Risks and Investment Implications“, offers the most comprehensive analysis to date on the presence and proximity of areas licenced for oil, gas, and mineral exploration and production in and around some of the world’s most treasured cultural and natural heritage sites.
  • Court rules Spain breached residents’ human rights in landmark case on livestock megapollution | Client Earth | 11 July 2025
    The High Court of Galicia has made a landmark ruling today, which confirms that Spanish national and regional authorities have breached residents’ human rights according to both the Spanish Constitution and European human rights law, by failing to manage record levels of pollution from hundreds of pig and poultry farms in the A Limia region.

Events

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Exhibition

We are Water

04 Aug 2025 | 14:00 – 15:00

Palais des Nations | Flags Alley

ISW - SWE

Plastics | Water

SDG6 | SDG14

Body Meeting

Youth Preparatory Meeting

04 Aug 2025 | 12:00 – 14:00

Palais des Nations | Building H Auditorium

CYMG

Chemicals and Pollution | Health and Environment | Plastics

SDG3 | SDG12

Demonstration

Wave of Silence | Demonstration

04 Aug 2025 | 16:00

Place des Nations

Greenpeace, Break Free From Plastic

Chemicals and Pollution | Plastics | Health and Environment

SDG17 | SDG3

Visit

Walk, Talk & Brew

07 Aug 2025 | 07:00 – 09:00

Meeting Point Palais des Nations

Recykal

Nature | Plastics

SDG12

Conference

PlasticHealthAware Dashboard Launch

09 Aug 2025 | 18:30 – 20:30

Intercontinental Genève, Ballroom

Minderoo Foundation

Health and Environment | Plastics | Chemicals and Pollution

SDG3 | SDG12

Jobs

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UNDP

Intern

Communication Intern

04 Aug 2025

UNDP Geneva

Climate | Eco-Humanitarian | Human Rights and Environment | Nature

SDG1 | SDG10 | SDG13 | SDG17

Updates

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