Geneva Green Guide 2010
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Geneva Green Guide 2010 The Geneva Environment Network’s practical guide to Geneva-based global organizations working on the environment and sustainable development Geneva Green Guide 2010 Published by the United Nations Environment Programme for the Geneva Environment Network, November 2009. This publication is intended for public information purposes only and is not an official document. Permission is granted to reproduce or translate the contents for educational and public awareness purposes, giving appropriate credit. Foreword This expanded and revised fifth edition of the UN and non-governmental organizations are pro- Geneva Green Guide reaffirms that the United moting actions to reduce emissions and to step up Nations, the NGO community and the numerous funding and support for adaptation in the run-up to academic and local organizations based in the the next Climate Change Conference in December Geneva region are committed to finding creative in Copenhagen, Denmark. and action-oriented solutions to the pressing envi- ronmental and sustainable development The World Conservation Union (IUCN), WWF Intl. challenges of our time. and many others are actively supporting the 2010 biodiversity target which, with respect to forests New organizations joined the region. These, and other ecosystems, also echoes the climate including the Global Humanitarian Forum, the UN change agenda. REDD secretariat, the Environmental Science Institute of the University of Geneva have been Other environmental priorities – from managing contributing largely to the debate on major interna- chemicals more safely to reducing the risks of tional environmental discussions. natural disasters to addressing the interaction between conflict and the environment – make Geneva-based organizations remain fully engaged Geneva a dynamic and significant centre for in the issue of climate change, a subject which is environmental issues. The region’s net work of a top priority for the UN Secretary-General Ban committed organizations offers an ideal arena for Ki Moon. In 2007 the Intergovernmental Panel on developing new partnerships and activities. The Climate Change (IPCC), established by UNEP and Geneva Green Guide offers a good starting point the World Meteorological Organization and whose for making these connections. Secretariat is hosted in Geneva, issued a defini- tive assessment on the science, likely impacts and costs of curbing climate change. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Bruno Oberle, Director, Swiss Federal Office for the Environment Foreword “Think globally, act locally” has been the guiding These efforts to protect the environment benefit principle behind the Geneva authorities’ environ- greatly from the presence here of so many orga- ment strategy. Their policies aim to protect living nizations with environmental mandates. Indeed, beings and the environment from damage or few places in the world can boast such an array threats, to protect nature throughout the canton, of “green” activities. These range from United including in urban areas, and to ensure the protec- Nations programmes and treaty secretariats to tion – or even enhancement – of natural habitats international non-governmental organizations to safeguard biodiversity. Building on the Rio Earth (NGOs) to Swiss universities and agencies. To- Summit of 1992, Geneva was the first canton in gether, these institutions create a critical mass of Switzerland to adopt a local Agenda 21, in March environmental expertise. The Geneva authorities, 2001, in the form of legislation at the cantonal representatives of the host country, are committed level. This programme of action aims at a conver- to supporting these international institutions. gence of, and a balance between, economic effi ciency, social solidarity and ecological responsibil- The breadth and depth of Geneva’s environmental ity in all spheres of public activity. These measures infrastructure is revealed by the 110 entries in aim to reinforce global development and contribute this Guide. Many of the listings have addresses to safeguarding future generations. The City of at the International Environment House, based in Geneva has been actively involved in this process Châtelaine, Geneva. And many are members of since 1995, when it signed the Aalborg Charter of the Geneva Environment Network, which seeks to European Cities and Towns Towards Sustainability. facilitate contacts and to promote synergies. It is our fervent wish and expectation that Geneva’s role as a host for so many important organizations will continue to contribute to effective environmental action. Sandrine Salerno, Administrative Councillor, City of Geneva Pierre-François Unger, State Councillor, Republic and Canton of Geneva The Green Guide The Green Guide is designed to be a practical desk The Geneva reference for Geneva-based organizations involved in Environment Network (GEN) environmental and sustainable development issues. Published by the Geneva Environment Network (GEN) The Green Guide is the fruit of cooperation between the with the generous assistance of the Swiss Federal Geneva Environment Network and the 110 organiza- Office for the Environment, the guide is available since tions listed. 2001 in both French and English. It was preceded by the guide - Geneva and the Environment - published Set up in1999, the GEN is a cooperative partnership from 1992 by Michael Foley Associates, the former of over 50 environment and sustainable development International Academy of the Environment and the State organizations based in the International Environment of Geneva. House and elsewhere in the Geneva area, including United Nations offices and programmes, local authori- The aim of the Green Guide is to foster cooperation on ties and non-governmental organizations. environmental issues. The handbook profiles organiza- tions and provides the information necessary for making GEN actively promotes increased cooperation and the initial contact: networking between its members by: organizing and • It offers practical information for each organization, hosting meetings on the environment and sustain- such as address, telephone number, fax number, able development, such as GEN Roundtables and email address, website, date of establishment, international workshops, promoting the dissemination number of staff and current person in charge; of information and public awareness of environmental • It distills the nature of each organization’s work into issues, maintaining a resource centre and cyberspace one- or two-paragraph summaries. and providing conference services to the Environment House, and publishing the Geneva Green Guide. The “Cooperation” and “Publications” categories are meant to be representative rather than exhaustive Secretariat of the Geneva Environment Network or definitive. Readers are encouraged to contact the International Environment House 9-15 Ch. des Anémones, 1219 Châtelaine organizations and to visit their websites. Tel +41 22 917 82 22 Fax +41 22 797 3464 In addition to the print version, the Green Guide can be downloaded at the Geneva Environment Network’s Public transport: Bus 6, 19, 22, 51 bus-stop Châtelaine-Ecole; website (www.environmenthouse.ch). The online Tram 14, 16 bus-stop Balexert. version is updated regularly. Updates and additions to the online version can be made by sending an email to: [email protected] Contents Intergovernmental organizations International non-governmental and business organizations National and local government Academic institutions Special status Environment Management EMG Group What is it? The Environment Management Group EMG draws its membership from the specialized agen- (EMG) seeks to enhance cooperation in the field of cies, funds and programmes of the UN system and the environment and human settlements within and beyond secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements the UN system. Established following the adoption of (MEAs). UNEP provides the secretariat. General Assembly resolution 53/242 in 1999, the What does it do? The EMG adopts an issue- • provides a forum for its members to share their views management and problem-solving approach aimed at or concerns on issues of common interest, to review promoting solutions to and joint action on important and progress or identify obstacles, to convey their views newly emerging issues on certain issues to intergovernmental forums and on the environment and human settlements agenda. processes and to other relevant forums, and to set a The EMG: roadmap for the future; • contributes to the implementation of the outcomes of • identifies issues on the environment and human the World Summit on Sustainable Development settlements agenda requiring enhanced interagency (WSSD) and the Millennium Summit in the areas of cooperation; environment and human settlements. • addresses these issues through time-bound issue- management groups (IMGs) consisting of relevant UN entities as well as other stakeholders with proven expertise in the area; Cooperation The EMG’s main mandate is to and WTO. It also establishes concrete working relation- enhance cooperation and joint action within and beyond ships with NGOs, other civil society groups and the the UN system, including the Bretton Woods institutions private sector. 1 Secretariat of the Tel: (+41 22) 917 86 93 Environment Management Group Fax: (+41 22) 797 43 20 International Environment House Email: [email protected] 11-13 chemin des Anémones Website: www.unemg.org CH-1219 Châtelaine (Geneva) Established: 2003