Good morning, this is Kasmira with your latest Sustainable Business & Finance coverage, which has swapped days with Climate, (now brought to you on Fridays).

Today marks World Habitat Day, a stark reminder that while I sit inside writing this newsletter, protected from the wind and rain, 1.2 billion people lack adequate shelter. So how do we tackle this as well while also creating sustainable cities for the future? This is a topic at the Palais des Nations this week.

Plus, actors from the Swiss finance sector will set out plans this week for scaling up investment in the SDGs by 2030.

05.10.2020

Today’s reason for hope

Copenhagen is one of the signatories of the Circular Cities Declaration. The city has pioneered schemes such as the CopenHill artificial ski slope, which sits on top of a waste-to-energy plant. Photo: CopenHill Urban Mountain

Major Cities sign the European Circular Cities Declaration recognising the need and the role cities play to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Europe. The declaration, signed in Mannheim, Germany, by over 20 towns and cities, includes commitments to reducing waste, water, and energy use, as well as building materials, by reusing or recycling.

Circular Cities Declaration (EN)

Sustainable Business & Finance news

Swiss finance leaders to set out new 'impact investing' roadmap. Actors from Switzerland’s finance sector and the UN will meet on Wednesday to set out a new plan for accelerating investment into the sustainable development goals.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

What you need to know about social impact investing. Some call it socially responsible investing. Others call it social-impact investing, or just impact investing. Whatever the name, one thing they do have in common is a lot of misunderstanding.

Wall Street Journal (EN)

The Brazilian forestry giant striking a blow for sustainability. Pulp and paper company Suzano is aiming to raise environmental standards — and is outspoken in calling on others to follow suit.

Financial Times (EN)

Here's what else is happening

Azerbaijan says Armenian forces shell second city in an escalation of the war in the South Caucasus that broke out one week ago.
Reuters (EN)
China is demolishing villages and forcing people into bigger ones. This article reports on China's experiments with "village consolidation" - and its grim consequences.
The Economist (EN)
UNICEF brings 10 million doses of polio vaccine to Sudan These vaccines will be used during the National Polio Campaign to immunize 8.6 million of the country's children under the age of five.
Reliefweb (EN)
‘Switzerland is sending a dangerous signal to the world’. With its new anti-terror legislation, Switzerland could provide a model for authoritarian regimes who want to clamp down on opposition figures. UN special rapporteur Fionnuala Ní Aoláin voices her concerns.
Swissinfo.ch (EN)

Image of the day

Keystone/EPA/Manuel Burque

La Patacona beach is carpeted with a total of 53,000 small Spanish flags to pay a tribute to the fatalities caused by the Covid-19 virus disease, in the town of Alboraya, eastern Spain.. The flags were placed in the early morning on Sunday by volunteers from the National Association for Coronavirus Victims initiative.

Next on the agenda

5 October | World Habitat Day A reminder of the basic right of all to adequate shelter. UN Habitat and the Government of Indonesia are organising two days of hybrid events.

UN Habitat (EN)

5-9 October | Sustainable Cities Week kicks off today at the Palais des Nations and online with a busy programme including the first Forum of Mayors, bringing together city leaders.

UNECE (EN)

5-6 October | TBLI Conference Europe 2020 The longest-running ESG and Impact Investing conference is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

TBLI Conference Europe 2020 (EN)

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Have a good day!

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