Uniting a growing number of partners around concrete decarbonisation actions is the mission of 2050Today, the Geneva Climate Action Forum, within which the institutions of International Geneva meet and strive to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Ambassador Thomas Wagner, Deputy Head of Delegation, represented the EU Delegation at the signature ceremony.

It is in full line with this EU commitment that we are signing the 2050Today Charter today. We intend to move forward in the green transition, in our offices, in our work and in our daily lives. With concrete steps. The 2050Today Charter point to the way on how to do so. We must act more and faster – all of us, at the global level, but also locally. - Ambassador Thomas Wagner, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation

The Forum, which currently brings together 68 institutions from international Geneva, brings together permanent missions, international organisations and civil society bodies to work towards zero emissions. After being formally established in 2022 by an agreement between the City of Geneva, the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the Swiss Confederation, the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Services Industriels de Genève (SIG), 2050Today is taking a new step forward with the adoption of the Decarbonisation Charter.

By signing the 2050Today Charter, the 39 institutions expressed their resolve to decarbonise their activities within a defined and common framework. With the goal of a carbon-free international Geneva by 2050 to be implemented as of today, the Charter stipulates five principles for its signatories:

1. Measuring regularly the carbon footprint;
2. Carrying out an assessment of the initial situation for the selected areas of intervention;
3. Defining and implementing an action plan to achieve the chosen objectives;
4. Sharing the decarbonisation process with the 2050Today community;
5. Communicating on the climate action taken.

To meet the major environmental and climate challenges facing humanity, the Charter recommends transforming the activities of each institution into a sustainable mode in the sectors of energy and buildings, mobility, food, biodiversity, ITC and waste management. The aim of this transformation is to take account of the need to act within planetary boundaries. Establishing a framework for enhanced climate action, the 2050Today Charter is designed as a practical guide to decarbonisation. It prescribes specific intervention objectives for each sector 3 and lists more than 300 concrete actions that each institution can undertake, with deadlines in 2025, 2028 and 2030. This involves, for example, deploying renewable energy systems by connecting to new thermal networks or increasing photovoltaic capacity. As far as food is concerned, it is recommended sourcing sustainably, in particular by increasing the proportion of organic and seasonal produce, and diversifying protein sources by favouring more plant-based products.

To promote biodiversity, the naturalness of habitats in the green spaces of International Geneva should be enhanced by encouraging flora and fauna that are less subject to human intervention. It is also advisable to assess and reduce the main consumption channels that have a negative impact on biodiversity. To achieve sustainable IT, it is recommended that IT equipment be rationalised by increasing its lifespan and favouring devices with reduced emissions. By signing up to the Charter, institutions will benefit from coordinated support offering them
advisory and monitoring resources.

The EU launched in 2022 a global campaign entitled #ForOurPlanet. This campaign aims to address the climate and nature crises across the globe. Together with EU Delegations and EC Representations we want to encourage all citizens and civil society to take action #ForOurPlanet, from planting trees to restoring wetlands, or just bringing nature to your house, roof or garden. Every action counts!