Geneva Green Guide Search GEN's practical guide to find
Geneva-based global organizations working on the environment and sustainable development.
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The International Environment House (IEH)
gathers under a common roof a range of United Nations and non-governmental
organizations active in the field of environment and sustainable development.
The House is home to the Geneva Environment
Network (GEN) , a cooperative partnership of over 50 organizations
based in the International Environment House and elsewhere in the Geneva
area.
Briefing to the Permanent Missions on the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CoP-10) - 7 September 2010
The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-10) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will be held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from 18 to 29 October 2010. This meeting takes place during the International Year for Biodiversity and will be preceded by a special high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the subject. Invitation.
Previous Events
ZERO Race (from Geneva to Cancun) - Around the World in 80 days with Zero Emission Vehicles! - 16 August 2010
Jules Verne’s dream to go around the world in 80 days became a reality a long time ago, but is it possible to make a tour around the world in 80 days with emission-free vehicles? Four Teams from three continents are taking up the challenge. On 16 August they will start on the Place des Nations in Geneva with their electric cars on the longest and greenest race of all time: the ZERO Race. To register and participate please send an email to : gen.secretary@unep.org. More information available from www.zero-race.com
Screening of "Submission: In defence of the unborn" - 9 July 2010
UNEP Chemical and Waste Conventions are organizing with the Geneva Environment Network a new screening of "Submission: In defence of the unborn" will be organized this Friday 9 June at 12.30, at the International Environment House, room 3. It will be preceded by a 7-and-a-half minute short film presented by Safe Planet: the United Nations Campaign for Responsibility on Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes, under the working title: Safe Planet presents "Body Burden". Programme.
35th anniversary of CITES - 1 July 2010
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the entry into force of CITES, the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations Office in Geneva and the Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), hosted an official reception at the Natural History Museum of the City of Geneva on 1 July 2010, from 16h00 to 18h00. Programme.
World Environment Day - 5 June 2010
On the occasion of the World Environment Day, Saturday, on 5 June 2010, the UN family went green under the themes of biodiversity and sustainable development. The event took place in the park of the Palais des Nations , Place des Nations, and the surrounding areas of the World Intellectual Property Organization . Numerous activities and entertainment for people of all ages were organized on and around the Place des Nations and the WIPO building. More information available from www.journeeverteonugeneve.org
To celebrate the World Environment Day, under the theme “Many Species. One Planet. One Future” echoing the urgent call to conserve the diversity of life on our planet, a special roundtable was organized at the International Environment House to discuss the challenges and ambitions of the Conventions related to biologic diversity. This roundtable was followed by a reception offered by the Swiss government and the local authorities. Invitation and briefing agenda. CMS' presentation; FOEN's presentation.
The Global Biodiversity Outlook is the flagship publication of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 3rd Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-3) was formally launched during the International Year of Biodiversity, in all regions, on 10 May 2010. Briefing Agenda; UNEP/ROE's presentation; RAMSAR's presentation; IUCN's presentation.
15 years of successful multilateral environmental emergency response Roundatable - 22 April 2010
To celebrate the collaborative nature of past and current efforts to deal with environmental emergencies, UNEP and OCHA launched the publication "Environmental Emergencies - Learning from multilateral response to disasters", in recognition of the fifteenth anniversary of the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit.
Briefing on the Basel Convention - 20 April 2010
The briefing focused on the Seventh session of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG 7) that will be held in Geneva from 10 to 14 May 2010 and the “Indonesian-Swiss Country-led Initiative” (CLI). Briefing Agenda.
Marche populaire pour l'eau - 18 avril 2010
La commune de Vernier (service des sports et service de l’information et de la communication) en collaboration avec le Programme des Nations Unies pour l'environnement et le Réseau environnement de Genève organisent le 18 avril 2010 une « marche populaire pour l’eau », au bord du Rhône. Cet événement « Live Earth » sera organisé par ailleurs dans de nombreuses villes dans le monde ce même jour (voir www.liveearth.org ).
Les participant-e-s seront invité-e-s à marcher environ 6 kilomètres, soit la distance parcourue par de nombreuses femmes dans le monde quotidiennement pour aller chercher de l’eau.
UNEP GC/GMEF 11th Special Session and Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions ExCOPs Briefing - 4 March 2010
The eleventh special session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is taking place in Bali, Indonesia, from 24 to 26 February 2010. The simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions were held prior to the eleventh special session, on 22 and 23 February, with a resumed decision making session on the morning of 24 February. You are cordially invited to attend a briefing on the outcome and the decisions taken at UNEP GC/GMEF Special Session and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions ExCOPs. Briefing Agenda; GC/GMEF Outcomes presentation; ExCOPs presentation.
Briefing on CITES CoP15 and SC59 - 18 February 2010
The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP15) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 13 to 25 March 2010. It will be preceded by the 59th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (SC59), on 12 March 2010. Briefing Agenda; CITES presentation.
Briefing on UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum Special Session - 19 January 2010
The simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (ExCOPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions will be held in Bali, Indonesia, at the Bali International Convention Centre in, Nusa Dua, from 22 to 24 February 2010, in coordination with the eleventh special session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) of the United Nations Environment Programme which will be held at the same venue from 24 to 26 February 2010. Documents available: Briefing Agenda; ExCOPs presentation; and GC/GMEF Special Session presentation.
10th anniversary of the Geneva Environment Network - 1-3 December 2009
The 10th anniversary of the Geneva Environment Network was celebrated on Tuesday 1 December, with the presence of UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner. A breakfast (8h30-10h) was organized at the International Environment House. Click here for the agenda... or the pictures of the event.
Briefing on UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum Special Session - 30 October 2009
Under the overarching theme “Environment in the multilateral system” three topics that are high up on the international agenda will be addressed during the next UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) Special Session, to be held in Bali in February 2010. The opportunity will also be taken to address relevant issues emerging from the Extraordinary COPs of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, also to be held in Bali.
Seminar - Access to information and justice in environmental law: current situation and opportunities provided by theAarhus Convention - 2 October 2009
Switzerland is preparing to ratify the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. In this context, the day will be devoted to presenting the three “pillars” of the Convention, the monitoring mechanism and the issues underlying this international instrument. In the second part, interventions will be intended to analyse the impact of the Convention on the Swiss practice in disseminating (spontaneously and on request) environmental information and on the rights accorded to residents living near installations harmful for environment. Finally, the day will conclude with an overview of the right of appeal of environmental protection organizations. Full programme on the ADE website.
Climate Week - 22-24 September 2009
A Freeze was organized Place du Molard for the UN campaign to Copenaghe www.sealthedeal2009.org.
Briefing on the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions - 24 September 2009
In 2008 and 2009, the Conferences of the Parties the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions adopted the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Joint Working Group on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. This briefing was chaired by the Executive Secretaries of the Conventions, senior UNEP officials and representatives from the Indonesian and Swiss Governments.
Film projection "The End of the Line" - 25 September 2009
UNEP, in collaboration with WWF, OCEANA and the State of Geneva, showed the
film “The End of the Line” on September 25, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. This public
premiere in Geneva will take place in the Arditi-Wilsdorf Auditorium (Plainpalais). “The End of the Line” is the first major documentary feature film revealing the
impact of overfishing on our oceans. The film aims to bring the overfishing crisis to
a wider audience and ask critical questions about what is really happening in our
oceans and what can be done about it.
The film will be preceded by a discussion with Charles Clover, author of “The End
of the Line”, as well as with high-level representatives from UNEP and WTO delegations,
and the State of Geneva.
Roundtable - Financial crisis and the green economy - 23 August 2009
In the context of environmental diplomacy, the collapse and government bail-out of the financial system raises a series of questions and issues, both in terms of the immediate causes and consequences of the financial problems, and in the possibilities opened up to move in the direction of a "green economy" as a combined solution for the economy, human well-being and the environment. For more information click
here.
Film projection - HOME - 7 June 2009
For the closure of the festival, on Sunday 7 June, the State of Geneva and UNEP invite you to join them at 8pm for the film projection "Home" at the Auditorium Arditi-Wilsdorf, 1 avenued du Mail (bus and tram stop Cirque). The film from Yann Arthus Bertrand, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, illustrates the beauty of our planet and the urgent need to sustain it.
Roundtable - Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate
Change - 5 June 2009
The theme for World Environment Day (WED) 2009 was 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite
to Combat Climate Change'. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a
new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days
later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management
of forests. A special roundtable will be organized at the University of Geneva.
Launch - Global Assessment Report (GAR) on Disaster Risk Reduction - 29 May 2009
The first Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction is a collective effort of
the ISDR partnership, including UNDP,
the World Bank, UNEP, WMO, UNESCO, the ProVention Consortium, regional intergovernmental
and technical institutions, national governments, civil society networks,
academic/scientific institutions and many other specific contributors. The Report says global disaster risk is
increasing worldwide due to unsafe cities and the combined impact of environmental
destruction and climate change which jeopardize the lives of hundreds of millions of
people.
For more information click
here.
Lecture - The Ecological Footprint:
Achieving Systems Change - 18 May 2009
IUCN in partnership with UNEP, are pleased to invite you to a
lecture on the Ecological Footprint by Mathis Wackernagel, Executive Director of
Global Footprint Network (www.footprintnetwork.org), an international non-profit
think-tank dedicated to making ecological limits central to decision-making
everywhere. For more information click
here.
Sustainable Water Use and Management: Leadership
for Positive Change - 26 March 2009
On the occasion of the World Water Day, the Geneva Institute for Water, Environment
and Health (GIWEH), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), will hold the first of GIWEH’s Water Series symposiums on 26 March
2009 at the International Environment House, devoted to Sustainable Water
Use and Management: Leadership for Positive Change. Click
here for more information.
Briefing on the 25th Session of the Governing
Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum of UNEP - 11 March 2009
The 25th Session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum
of UNEP (GC25/GMEF), convened in Nairobi from 16 to 20 February 2009, was attended
by representatives of 147 countries, including 110 ministers and Secretaries
of State and 192 representatives of major groups and stakeholders. The Council
adopted some milestone decisions, such as the one on Mercury. An interactive
dialogue took place during the ministerial consultations on the following two
separate but related themes: Globalization and the Environment - Global
Crisis: National Chaos? and International Governance and United Nations
Reform - IEG: Help or Hindrance?
For more information click
here.
Addressing the Risks and Opportunities of Bioenergy
- 10 December 2008
There is an increasing interest in modern bioenergy and the potential opportunities
it offers to both developing and industrialised countries. These include increased
energy security, GHG emission reductions and sustainable agricultural and rural
development. However, bioenergy is not free from risks and drawbacks and recent
scientific opinion and public attention has focused on some of them, particularly
those associated with liquid biofuels for transportation.
The objective of this roundtable was to bring together key stakeholders to
discuss the sustainability of bioenergy development projects, how to improve
related policies and to better manage the risks and opportunities for climate
change mitigation, energy security and economic and social development. click
here for Presentations.
Human Rights and Environment Brown-bag lunch -
02 December 2008
The 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR), on December 10th of this year, is a good occasion to review the recent
developments concerning the relations between human rights and environment. click here
for more information.
Briefing on the outcome of the ninth meeting of
the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity - 8 September 2008
The briefing focused on the outcome of the ninth meeting of the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the preparation
of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD, to be held
in Nagoya, Japan in 2010.
click here for Presentation.
Exposures to Mercury: Valuable Lessons for Human
Health and the Environment - 8 August 2008
UNEP together with WHO has launched a guidance document entitled “Identifying
Populations at Risk from Mercury Exposure”. The document is intended to
assist countries concerned about the potential national impacts of mercury pollution
to identify specific populations or subpopulations that may be at risk. It aims
to provide guidance on estimating exposures to mercury through biomonitoring
as well as exposures to methylmercury using data on dietary fish intake. click
here for Presentation.