01.
Editorial
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News flash (as if needed!): the world has issues with power. Dictatorial power undermines human rights on all continents; emergency powers occasionally achieve the same in democracies. Air power kills innocent women, men, and children in more conflict zones than we dare count. Corporate power ravages ecosystems and livelihoods. People power (so far) unsuccessfully calls to end hostilities against civilians in Gaza. Flower power is, alternatively, a distant memory or a tongue-in-cheek reference to the pesticide-intense, export-oriented cut flower industry in Latin America and elsewhere.
Power is frequently associated with energy, but the link cannot quite put us at ease. To be sure, when electricity, an important form of energy, first appeared in non-technical writing in the 18th century, it was identified as a source of life. Popular science accounts, of male and female poles, for example, frequently veered into the sleazy.
A century later, electricity had become associated with death and evil. The installation of poles connecting networks of wires, necessitated by the introduction of the telegraph, drove widespread public fear of this invisible force. Serving from 1889 to 1893, US President Benjamin Harrison allegedly instructed White House staff to turn lights on and off because he was afraid of getting electrocuted. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein came to life after being hit by an electrical shock from lighting. As I write these lines, Russia is bombing Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure. Several US states still reserve the electric chair as an option for execution.
Electricity as a form of energy is now ubiquitous, but it retains its ambivalent character. Policymakers point to electrification as a corollary to ridding the planet of fossil fuel energy, conjuring up a world of electric cars, trucks, ships, and planes, electric heating, electric everything. Power up solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric generators; power down coal- or gas-fired power plants (but what to do with nuclear reactors?). The buzz of more powerful and less mineral-hungry batteries is as energizing as that of peak oil, large-scale carbon capture and storage, and the hydrogen economy.
Whether 2023 is regarded a good or bad year from an energy perspective is largely in the eye of the beholder. The International Energy Agency (IEA) sounds upbeat. According to its World Energy Investment Report 2023, recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and measures to address the global energy crisis are showing positive results. The Report suggests that annual clean energy investment rose by 25 per cent since 2021. That’s impressive, but fossil fuel investments also increased by 15 per cent or USD 1 trillion. End use investment in energy efficiency should triple by 2030 to reach the 1.5-degree target. Sadly, it declined between 2022 and 2023. The term sufficiency does not appear once in the 181-page IEA report.
What to do? As a long-time follower or recent partisan of Zoï Environment Network’s work, you will be well aware of what’s at stake. You have come to discover new or tested solutions to environmental challenges suffused with shades of energy and power. The question must now be what not to do, individually and above all collectively. If power captures how fast energy is used or transmitted, powering down might be a good idea.
Jörg Balsiger,
President of the Zoï Board
News flash (as if needed!): the world has issues with power. Dictatorial power undermines human rights on all continents; emergency powers occasionally achieve the same in democracies. Air power kills innocent women, men, and children in more conflict zones than we dare count. Corporate power ravages ecosystems and livelihoods. People power (so far) unsuccessfully calls to end hostilities against civilians in Gaza. Flower power is, alternatively, a distant memory or a tongue-in-cheek reference to the pesticide-intense, export-oriented cut flower industry in Latin America and elsewhere.
Power is frequently associated with energy, but the link cannot quite put us at ease. To be sure, when electricity, an important form of energy, first appeared in non-technical writing in the 18th century, it was identified as a source of life. Popular science accounts, of male and female poles, for example, frequently veered into the sleazy.
A century later, electricity had become associated with death and evil. The installation of poles connecting networks of wires, necessitated by the introduction of the telegraph, drove widespread public fear of this invisible force. Serving from 1889 to 1893, US President Benjamin Harrison allegedly instructed White House staff to turn lights on and off because he was afraid of getting electrocuted. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein came to life after being hit by an electrical shock from lighting. As I write these lines, Russia is bombing Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure. Several US states still reserve the electric chair as an option for execution.
Electricity as a form of energy is now ubiquitous, but it retains its ambivalent character. Policymakers point to electrification as a corollary to ridding the planet of fossil fuel energy, conjuring up a world of electric cars, trucks, ships, and planes, electric heating, electric everything. Power up solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric generators; power down coal- or gas-fired power plants (but what to do with nuclear reactors?). The buzz of more powerful and less mineral-hungry batteries is as energizing as that of peak oil, large-scale carbon capture and storage, and the hydrogen economy.
Whether 2023 is regarded a good or bad year from an energy perspective is largely in the eye of the beholder. The International Energy Agency (IEA) sounds upbeat. According to its World Energy Investment Report 2023, recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and measures to address the global energy crisis are showing positive results. The Report suggests that annual clean energy investment rose by 25 per cent since 2021. That’s impressive, but fossil fuel investments also increased by 15 per cent or USD 1 trillion. End use investment in energy efficiency should triple by 2030 to reach the 1.5-degree target. Sadly, it declined between 2022 and 2023. The term sufficiency does not appear once in the 181-page IEA report.
What to do? As a long-time follower or recent partisan of Zoï Environment Network’s work, you will be well aware of what’s at stake. You have come to discover new or tested solutions to environmental challenges suffused with shades of energy and power. The question must now be what not to do, individually and above all collectively. If power captures how fast energy is used or transmitted, powering down might be a good idea.
Jörg Balsiger,
President of the Zoï Board
02.
Financial statement
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Stories in 2023 – 1
Multilateralism:
Seizing the opportunities for cross-benefits
Text: Alex Mackey
Zoï works on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) on mercury, climate change, biodiversity, and access to information to name a few. As crucial tools for making environmental progress, MEAs at times provide the legal framework needed to push countries to meet their commitments, whether through preventing the illegal trade of endangered species or reporting illegal dumping of hazardous waste across borders. Zoï makes these conventions and treaties easier for stakeholders to understand. As the understanding of these topics has deepened over the years, the global environmental community has come to appreciate the extensive synergies among them.
The signing of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – a new set of goals for the Convention on Biological Diversity – sparked excitement throughout the MEA world. Reports, articles, and COP decisions highlighted the overlaps between the new framework and existing MEAs. No doubt hoping to build on the momentum surrounding the biodiversity goals, MEA secretariats looked for ways to capture some of that renewed energy. A Zoï infographic that highlights mercury’s impacts on biodiversity and aligns the SDG taxonomy with the GBF is part of this effort.
If the SDGs have taught us anything, it’s that there are always trade-offs, and countries will prioritize certain goals or sectors over others depending on a mixture of local needs, economic benefits, and political motivations. We also know that working in silos is ineffective, and that our approach needs to contemplate the cross-benefits of considering related conventions, gender perspectives, Indigenous knowledge, and the associated risks. The MEAs embrace this idea, and are holding dialogues and pursuing collaborative opportunities to align their priorities. Zoï will be around to help make these connections clear and to provide access to better information for the environmental community.
The signing of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – a new set of goals for the Convention on Biological Diversity – sparked excitement throughout the MEA world. Reports, articles, and COP decisions highlighted the overlaps between the new framework and existing MEAs. No doubt hoping to build on the momentum surrounding the biodiversity goals, MEA secretariats looked for ways to capture some of that renewed energy. A Zoï infographic that highlights mercury’s impacts on biodiversity and aligns the SDG taxonomy with the GBF is part of this effort.
If the SDGs have taught us anything, it’s that there are always trade-offs, and countries will prioritize certain goals or sectors over others depending on a mixture of local needs, economic benefits, and political motivations. We also know that working in silos is ineffective, and that our approach needs to contemplate the cross-benefits of considering related conventions, gender perspectives, Indigenous knowledge, and the associated risks. The MEAs embrace this idea, and are holding dialogues and pursuing collaborative opportunities to align their priorities. Zoï will be around to help make these connections clear and to provide access to better information for the environmental community.
Diagram: Maria Libert
Stories in 2023 – 2
Energizing responsibility
along value chains
Zoï has a new old topic: responsible consumption and production. We have added a renewed focus on the efficient use of resources, sustainable ways of doing business and change in lifestyle as a highly relevant Zoï thematic area. We don’t recycle, we rethink and further develop a thematic area of high relevance.
The transition to renewable energy relies heavily on minerals such as copper and lithium, and calls for responsible mining more than ever. The increasing world demand for building and construction materials calls for low-carbon and sustainable alternatives. And we still waste too much of the material we extract, produce and use.
Responsible consumption and production demand that both consumers and manufacturers respect the planet's natural limits and consider environmental and social issues along the entire supply chain of products and services. This requires both effective communication and policy advocacy that fosters collaboration among stakeholders.
Zoï has worked on green procurement, ecolabels, sustainable mining, slow fashion, the circular economy model, and options for building materials. We analyse, communicate and foster dialogue on a wide variety of instruments, policies, and processes with stakeholders in these areas while always bearing in mind the consumers’ and manufacturers’ perspectives.
At Zoï, we are committed to operating in a resource-efficient and socially and environmentally responsible manner. We continuously reflect on our responsibility along the value chain of our products and services, while putting in additional effort to improve ourselves.
The transition to renewable energy relies heavily on minerals such as copper and lithium, and calls for responsible mining more than ever. The increasing world demand for building and construction materials calls for low-carbon and sustainable alternatives. And we still waste too much of the material we extract, produce and use.
Responsible consumption and production demand that both consumers and manufacturers respect the planet's natural limits and consider environmental and social issues along the entire supply chain of products and services. This requires both effective communication and policy advocacy that fosters collaboration among stakeholders.
Zoï has worked on green procurement, ecolabels, sustainable mining, slow fashion, the circular economy model, and options for building materials. We analyse, communicate and foster dialogue on a wide variety of instruments, policies, and processes with stakeholders in these areas while always bearing in mind the consumers’ and manufacturers’ perspectives.
At Zoï, we are committed to operating in a resource-efficient and socially and environmentally responsible manner. We continuously reflect on our responsibility along the value chain of our products and services, while putting in additional effort to improve ourselves.
Text: Johanna Zwahlen
Illustration & graphic: Carolyne Daniel
Stories in 2023 – 3
Conflict zones
By mid-2023, the war in Ukraine had lost its momentum and turned into something not seen before: a WWI-like trench warfare powered by star-wars drones and cyber technology. For protracted periods of time, vast areas of Ukraine were cut by nearly immobile front lines and heavy fortifications, while the country’s infrastructure got destroyed and the people were gradually losing their fertile land and rich nature.
Throughout the year, Zoï and partners monitored the environmental situation in Ukraine and kept it in the spotlight. With the OSCE and CEOBS, we prepared a comprehensive assessment of the environmental damage from the first twelve months of the war. We also contributed to the work of the High-Level Working Group set up to create an Environmental Compact with recommendations for how to assess and repair the war damage.
In the wake of the Israeli response to the incursion from Gaza into Israel on 7 October, we quickly became aware how fragile the situation in the Middle East is. We maintain our cooperation with Palestine on Chemicals and Waste management, because we believe working on environmental causes can contribute to peace building.
And while Afghanistan has for good reasons remained a persona non grata of international diplomacy, we have maintained our contacts with its professional community and focused on the larger Central Asia neighbourhood. Of particular importance are new energy and water projects feeding Afghanistan’s developing economy, such as the Qosh Tepa Canal being built to divert highly contested water from the Amu Darya River.
Throughout the year, Zoï and partners monitored the environmental situation in Ukraine and kept it in the spotlight. With the OSCE and CEOBS, we prepared a comprehensive assessment of the environmental damage from the first twelve months of the war. We also contributed to the work of the High-Level Working Group set up to create an Environmental Compact with recommendations for how to assess and repair the war damage.
In the wake of the Israeli response to the incursion from Gaza into Israel on 7 October, we quickly became aware how fragile the situation in the Middle East is. We maintain our cooperation with Palestine on Chemicals and Waste management, because we believe working on environmental causes can contribute to peace building.
And while Afghanistan has for good reasons remained a persona non grata of international diplomacy, we have maintained our contacts with its professional community and focused on the larger Central Asia neighbourhood. Of particular importance are new energy and water projects feeding Afghanistan’s developing economy, such as the Qosh Tepa Canal being built to divert highly contested water from the Amu Darya River.
Text: Nickolai Denisov & Otto Simonett
Illustration: Maria Libert
Map: Matthias Beilstein
Stories in 2023 – 4
Zoï and the CoPs
Zoï is an observer and regular participant at the Conferences of the Parties (CoPs) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and at the conventions on biodiversity, waste and chemicals, water, environmental information, industrial safety and others. Back in 2001, when proto-Zoïs participated in the climate CoP-7 there were about 4 000 delegates and after 10 days many delegates recognized each other.
In 2009, the year Zoi was founded, the UNFCCC reported a, for the time, record number of participants at the CoP-15 in Copenhagen. 25 000 delegates made their way to Denmark. Zoï organized a major side event on Central Asia to launch a visual atlas and Zoïtopia – a newspaper produced as part of our creative thinking experiments. Dubai hosted COP-28 in 2023, and the number of participants grew to about 100 000 - an overflow of people, information, topics and events. Zoï showcased highlights from the Adaptation at Altitude climate solutions portal, and advocated for the inclusion of mountains in climate change negotiations and processes.
In early 2024 Zoï attended a Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This first such global environmental meeting hosted in Central Asia counted 2 000 delegates. There was lots of energy, warm Uzbek hospitality and a strong focus on biodiversity safeguards, and conservation of the key biodiversity areas and eco-corridors. Zoï was happy to network with NGOs and our CEPF partners, and was privileged to participate in the launch of Uzbekistan's State of the Environment report.
Baku, Azerbaijan, will host CoP-29 in 2024. For the first time it a CoP will be held, in one of our core regions – the Caucasus. We are looking forward to participating and wish the host country and the UNFCCC Secretariat all the non-fossil fuel energy needed for a successful outcome.
In 2009, the year Zoi was founded, the UNFCCC reported a, for the time, record number of participants at the CoP-15 in Copenhagen. 25 000 delegates made their way to Denmark. Zoï organized a major side event on Central Asia to launch a visual atlas and Zoïtopia – a newspaper produced as part of our creative thinking experiments. Dubai hosted COP-28 in 2023, and the number of participants grew to about 100 000 - an overflow of people, information, topics and events. Zoï showcased highlights from the Adaptation at Altitude climate solutions portal, and advocated for the inclusion of mountains in climate change negotiations and processes.
In early 2024 Zoï attended a Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This first such global environmental meeting hosted in Central Asia counted 2 000 delegates. There was lots of energy, warm Uzbek hospitality and a strong focus on biodiversity safeguards, and conservation of the key biodiversity areas and eco-corridors. Zoï was happy to network with NGOs and our CEPF partners, and was privileged to participate in the launch of Uzbekistan's State of the Environment report.
Baku, Azerbaijan, will host CoP-29 in 2024. For the first time it a CoP will be held, in one of our core regions – the Caucasus. We are looking forward to participating and wish the host country and the UNFCCC Secretariat all the non-fossil fuel energy needed for a successful outcome.
Text: Viktor Novikov
Illustration: Maria Libert
Stories in 2023 – 5
At an impasse:
Renewable energy in
the mountains
The evidence that climate change happens faster and with more negative impacts in the mountains than in the flatlands is overwhelming. Sensitive ecosystems are at risk. Worldwide more than 2 billion people are directly affected, and whatever happens in the mountains has downstream or even global effects.
The goal of the Adaptation at Altitude programme is to identify and promote adaptation strategies and solutions for the mountain regions of the world. Finding financing for adaptation in these remote and sometimes impoverished areas is difficult, and renewable energy projects that support livelihoods in the mountains and contribute to combating climate change thus, would seem to be ideal solutions. But recent experience in Switzerland has shown that what seems to be a win-win proposition may not always be so straightforward.
In democratic processes, Swiss communities have rejected large-scale solar schemes, partially on environmental grounds. The concern is that large solar, wind, and hydroelectrical power schemes could lead to irreversible environmental damage, and that the environmental costs outweigh the economic benefits. In addition, the extent to which local populations might actually benefit from investments in renewable energy in their backyards is unclear.
The lesson we at Zoï take away from this situation is that, in itself, the threat of climate change is an insufficient basis for taking action. Adaptation and mitigation solutions need to be acceptable to the stakeholders affected, in particular, the local communities. Or, as a recent event in the Geneva discussion series on rights and the environment put it: No Nature-based Solutions Without a Human Rights-based Approach.
The goal of the Adaptation at Altitude programme is to identify and promote adaptation strategies and solutions for the mountain regions of the world. Finding financing for adaptation in these remote and sometimes impoverished areas is difficult, and renewable energy projects that support livelihoods in the mountains and contribute to combating climate change thus, would seem to be ideal solutions. But recent experience in Switzerland has shown that what seems to be a win-win proposition may not always be so straightforward.
In democratic processes, Swiss communities have rejected large-scale solar schemes, partially on environmental grounds. The concern is that large solar, wind, and hydroelectrical power schemes could lead to irreversible environmental damage, and that the environmental costs outweigh the economic benefits. In addition, the extent to which local populations might actually benefit from investments in renewable energy in their backyards is unclear.
The lesson we at Zoï take away from this situation is that, in itself, the threat of climate change is an insufficient basis for taking action. Adaptation and mitigation solutions need to be acceptable to the stakeholders affected, in particular, the local communities. Or, as a recent event in the Geneva discussion series on rights and the environment put it: No Nature-based Solutions Without a Human Rights-based Approach.
Text: Otto Simonett
Illustration: Maria Libert
Photo: Department of Science and Technology, Government of Sikkim.
Stories in 2023 – 6
Leveraging AI
for creative purposes
The rise of artificial intelligence has nudged Zoï, which is known for its innovative and modern visuals, into facing the question of whether or not to embrace this evolution. As a first step, we have adopted recent advancements in creative software and visual technology. Is the ethical use of such technology feasible, especially given our advocacy for craftsmanship and for traditional creative professions such as photography and illustration? As a graphic designer, I believe that we may be able to incorporate AI into our work without abandoning our commitment to these traditional arts, and I advocate for leveraging these technological advancements while maintaining the integrity of our craft.
The integration of artificial intelligence into creative fields such as photography, illustration, and graphic design has fundamentally transformed how professionals operate. Advanced algorithms now generate complex visual concepts and automate numerous routine tasks, such as retouching images. This automation grants artists and other creators the freedom to focus more on the creative process itself, exploring new ideas and experimenting with innovative techniques without too much technical constraints.
Nevertheless, generative AI can reveal itself as racially and socially prejudiced, anachronistic, and conservative, and can struggle with object superimposition, hands, text, and numbers. Image creators need to use AI judiciously, be precise in their requests, and understand its algorithmic behaviour. However, the challenge with AI image software lies in the struggle to accurately distinguish between authentic representations of reality and deceptive, fabricated photos, raising concerns about the potential for misinformation and manipulation in digital imagery. Consequently, we must invest more time, energy, and resources in scrutinizing and rectifying biases in order to produce high-quality work.
The creative process starts with human ideas, and we must continue to prioritize hard work and human creativity, while recognizing that AI serves as a powerful tool to augment, rather than replace, our creative efforts.
The integration of artificial intelligence into creative fields such as photography, illustration, and graphic design has fundamentally transformed how professionals operate. Advanced algorithms now generate complex visual concepts and automate numerous routine tasks, such as retouching images. This automation grants artists and other creators the freedom to focus more on the creative process itself, exploring new ideas and experimenting with innovative techniques without too much technical constraints.
Nevertheless, generative AI can reveal itself as racially and socially prejudiced, anachronistic, and conservative, and can struggle with object superimposition, hands, text, and numbers. Image creators need to use AI judiciously, be precise in their requests, and understand its algorithmic behaviour. However, the challenge with AI image software lies in the struggle to accurately distinguish between authentic representations of reality and deceptive, fabricated photos, raising concerns about the potential for misinformation and manipulation in digital imagery. Consequently, we must invest more time, energy, and resources in scrutinizing and rectifying biases in order to produce high-quality work.
The creative process starts with human ideas, and we must continue to prioritize hard work and human creativity, while recognizing that AI serves as a powerful tool to augment, rather than replace, our creative efforts.
Text: Carolyne Daniel
Illustration: Carolyne Daniel
This image was generated using artificial intelligence.
03.
Staff
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Alex Mackey – Project management and analysis – Geneva
Alexandra Povarich – Graphic design, climate and biodiversity – Taskhent
Carolyne Daniel – Print and digital design, artistic direction – Geneva
Defne Salli – Analysis and communication internship – Geneva
Dmytro Averin – War impact analysis and data management – Irpin
Emmanuelle Bournay – Cartography and statistical analysis – Crest
Firuza Illarionova – Field and policy support Central Asia – Nicosia, Dushanbe
Geoff Hughes – Policy analysis, writing and editing – Port Townsend
Johanna.Zwahlen – Project management and analysis – Geneva
Karma Denisov – Webmaster and social media – Himalayas
Lauren Sinopoli – Analyis and communication summer internship – Geneva
Lesya.Nikolayeva – Project management and communication greater Europe – Geneva
Maria Libert – Illustrations and graphic design – Stockholm
Marianne Gémin – Finance and administration – Geneva
Matthias Beilstein – Cartography – Schaffhausen
Mayra Salazar Volkmann – Project management and communication internship – Geneva
Nickolai Denisov, Deputy director – Environment and conflict – Geneva
Otto Simonett, Director – Creative thinking and leadership – Geneva
Rebecca Jiménez – Project management and communication – Geneva
Viktor Novikov – Project development and management Central Asia – Geneva
Alex Mackey – Project management and analysis – Geneva
Alexandra Povarich – Graphic design, climate and biodiversity – Taskhent
Carolyne Daniel – Print and digital design, artistic direction – Geneva
Defne Salli – Analysis and communication internship – Geneva
Dmytro Averin – War impact analysis and data management – Irpin
Emmanuelle Bournay – Cartography and statistical analysis – Crest
Firuza Illarionova – Field and policy support Central Asia – Nicosia, Dushanbe
Geoff Hughes – Policy analysis, writing and editing – Port Townsend
Johanna.Zwahlen – Project management and analysis – Geneva
Karma Denisov – Webmaster and social media – Himalayas
Lauren Sinopoli – Analyis and communication summer internship – Geneva
Lesya.Nikolayeva – Project management and communication greater Europe – Geneva
Maria Libert – Illustrations and graphic design – Stockholm
Marianne Gémin – Finance and administration – Geneva
Matthias Beilstein – Cartography – Schaffhausen
Mayra Salazar Volkmann – Project management and communication internship – Geneva
Nickolai Denisov, Deputy director – Environment and conflict – Geneva
Otto Simonett, Director – Creative thinking and leadership – Geneva
Rebecca Jiménez – Project management and communication – Geneva
Viktor Novikov – Project development and management Central Asia – Geneva
04.
Board members
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Jörg Balsiger, President – Professor, Environmental Governance and Territorial Development, Université de Genève – Geneva
Yvan Rochat – Secrétaire général, Commune de Genthod – Geneva
Karen Landmark – Director, GRID-Arendal – Arendal
Jörg Balsiger, President – Professor, Environmental Governance and Territorial Development, Université de Genève – Geneva
Yvan Rochat – Secrétaire général, Commune de Genthod – Geneva
Karen Landmark – Director, GRID-Arendal – Arendal
05.
Associates
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Aigerim Abdyzhaparova – BRI, climate, ecosystems – Moscow
Aleh Cherp – Sustainability and energy – Lund
Alex Kirby – Environmental journalism – Lewes
Alexandra Sternin – Graphic design – Konstanz
Amangul Ovezberdyyeva – Climate change and biodiversity – Ashgabat
Anvar Homidov – Climate change, environment and hydrology – Dushanbe
Carolyn Drake – Photographer – Vallejo
Dasha Mokhnacheva – Climate migration, disaster risk reduction – Incheon
Denis Sorokin – Water and communication – Tashkent
Doug Weir – Conflict and environment – Hebden Bridge
Eoghan Darbyshire – Conflict and remote sensing – Hebden Bridge
Eric Nanchen – Sustainable mountain development – Sion
Ecaterina Melnicenco – Climate and DRR – Chisinau
Elena Kreuzberg – Ecosystems – Ottawa
Florian Wüstholz – Journalism – Bern
Gamal Soronkulov – Local development – Chatkal
Hasan Abdel Fattah – Chemicals and waste – Nablus
Hermine Cooreman – Web development – Ghent
Hongqiao Liu – Environmental safeguards China – Paris
Irina Bekmirzaeva – Climate change – Almaty
Isacco Chiaf – Interactive design – Rome
Iskander Beglov – Water and communication – Tashkent
Jalil Abuduwaili – Geography and ecosystems – Urumqi
John Bennett – Environmental journalism – New York
John Cole-Baker – Mining – Trient
Joel Rabjins – Animations – Ghent
Julia Rende – Graphic design – Stockholm
Kanybek Isabaev – Environmental information – Osh
Katy Ayres – Legal analysis – Strathblane
Liesbeth Eeckman – Animations – Ghent
Lusine Taslakyan – Environmental information – Yerevan
Mamuka Gvilava – Environmental impact assessment – Tbilisi
Mamuka Khurtsidze – GIS entrepreneur – Tbilisi
Mazin Qumsiyeh – Biodiversity and sustainability – Bethlehem
Marina Denisova – Copy-editing – Lancy
Mikko Halonen – Environment and mining – Helsinki
Mila Teshaieva – Photography – Berlin
Mohammad Hassouna – Environmental engineer – Marseille
Mohammad Najajrah – Entomology – Bethlehem
Myriam Steinemann – Climate change – Zürich
Oleg Lystopad – Media and communication – Kyiv
Pavlo Bystrov – IT and data management – Kyiv
Oli Brown – Security and environment – Samoëns
Oxana Huliayeva – Water ecology and hydropower – Kyiv
Penny Langhammer – Key biodiversity areas – Portland
Peter Speelman – Legal analysis – Geneva
Rasul Ryskulov – Animations – Bishkek
Robert Bartram – Editing, writing – Geneva
Roman Kashkarov – Biodiversity – Tashkent
Ruslan Valitov – Cartoonist – Bishkek
Samual Gardaz – Red Sea corals – Geneva
Sergiy Zibtsev – Wildfire mapping and research – Kyiv
Sophie Thirion – Chemicals and waste – Geneva
Stefan Ruchti – Cryosphere – Laupen
Stefan Schwager – Climate finance – Gümligen
Stephen Graham – Copy-editing and storytelling – Berlin
Susanna de Panfilis – Physics – Geneva
Svein Tveitdal – Climate change activist – Froland
Talaibek Makeyev – Climate change and water – Bishkek
Tamar Bakuradze – Environmental information – Tbilisi
Tamara Mitrofanenko – Intergenerational learning – Vienna
Vafadar Ismaiyilov – Environmental information – Baku
Vahagn Tonoyan – Water management – Yerevan
Valentina Grigoryan – Climate services – Yerevan
Vicken Cheterian – Research and journalism – Geneva
Vera Mustafina – Waste management – Almaty
Yaroslav Tartykov – Graphic design – Bishkek
Yusup Kamalov – Local development – Nukus
Zurab Jincharadze – Caucasus environment – Tbilisi
Aigerim Abdyzhaparova – BRI, climate, ecosystems – Moscow
Aleh Cherp – Sustainability and energy – Lund
Alex Kirby – Environmental journalism – Lewes
Alexandra Sternin – Graphic design – Konstanz
Amangul Ovezberdyyeva – Climate change and biodiversity – Ashgabat
Anvar Homidov – Climate change, environment and hydrology – Dushanbe
Carolyn Drake – Photographer – Vallejo
Dasha Mokhnacheva – Climate migration, disaster risk reduction – Incheon
Denis Sorokin – Water and communication – Tashkent
Doug Weir – Conflict and environment – Hebden Bridge
Eoghan Darbyshire – Conflict and remote sensing – Hebden Bridge
Eric Nanchen – Sustainable mountain development – Sion
Ecaterina Melnicenco – Climate and DRR – Chisinau
Elena Kreuzberg – Ecosystems – Ottawa
Florian Wüstholz – Journalism – Bern
Gamal Soronkulov – Local development – Chatkal
Hasan Abdel Fattah – Chemicals and waste – Nablus
Hermine Cooreman – Web development – Ghent
Hongqiao Liu – Environmental safeguards China – Paris
Irina Bekmirzaeva – Climate change – Almaty
Isacco Chiaf – Interactive design – Rome
Iskander Beglov – Water and communication – Tashkent
Jalil Abuduwaili – Geography and ecosystems – Urumqi
John Bennett – Environmental journalism – New York
John Cole-Baker – Mining – Trient
Joel Rabjins – Animations – Ghent
Julia Rende – Graphic design – Stockholm
Kanybek Isabaev – Environmental information – Osh
Katy Ayres – Legal analysis – Strathblane
Liesbeth Eeckman – Animations – Ghent
Lusine Taslakyan – Environmental information – Yerevan
Mamuka Gvilava – Environmental impact assessment – Tbilisi
Mamuka Khurtsidze – GIS entrepreneur – Tbilisi
Mazin Qumsiyeh – Biodiversity and sustainability – Bethlehem
Marina Denisova – Copy-editing – Lancy
Mikko Halonen – Environment and mining – Helsinki
Mila Teshaieva – Photography – Berlin
Mohammad Hassouna – Environmental engineer – Marseille
Mohammad Najajrah – Entomology – Bethlehem
Myriam Steinemann – Climate change – Zürich
Oleg Lystopad – Media and communication – Kyiv
Pavlo Bystrov – IT and data management – Kyiv
Oli Brown – Security and environment – Samoëns
Oxana Huliayeva – Water ecology and hydropower – Kyiv
Penny Langhammer – Key biodiversity areas – Portland
Peter Speelman – Legal analysis – Geneva
Rasul Ryskulov – Animations – Bishkek
Robert Bartram – Editing, writing – Geneva
Roman Kashkarov – Biodiversity – Tashkent
Ruslan Valitov – Cartoonist – Bishkek
Samual Gardaz – Red Sea corals – Geneva
Sergiy Zibtsev – Wildfire mapping and research – Kyiv
Sophie Thirion – Chemicals and waste – Geneva
Stefan Ruchti – Cryosphere – Laupen
Stefan Schwager – Climate finance – Gümligen
Stephen Graham – Copy-editing and storytelling – Berlin
Susanna de Panfilis – Physics – Geneva
Svein Tveitdal – Climate change activist – Froland
Talaibek Makeyev – Climate change and water – Bishkek
Tamar Bakuradze – Environmental information – Tbilisi
Tamara Mitrofanenko – Intergenerational learning – Vienna
Vafadar Ismaiyilov – Environmental information – Baku
Vahagn Tonoyan – Water management – Yerevan
Valentina Grigoryan – Climate services – Yerevan
Vicken Cheterian – Research and journalism – Geneva
Vera Mustafina – Waste management – Almaty
Yaroslav Tartykov – Graphic design – Bishkek
Yusup Kamalov – Local development – Nukus
Zurab Jincharadze – Caucasus environment – Tbilisi
06.
Zoï partners
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Memberships
Consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and accredited with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Member of the Swiss NGO DRR Platform, NDC Partnership, BRI International Green Development Coalition (BRIGC) and Associated Programme of Flood Management (APFM) of the World Meteorological Organization and the Global Water Partnership. We are also a partner of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP)—Barcelona Convention of the UN Environment Programme.
ABOUT US
Zoï 2023
Zoï Environment Network consists of over a dozen staff and consultants with expertise in geography, environmental science, engineering, cartography, design, copywriting and filmmaking. We work with an extensive network of local experts and recurring contributors whom we engage according to project-specific needs.
This year, our annual Zoï retreat took place at Domaine de la Ruisselière in the Beaujolais region of France.
This year, our annual Zoï retreat took place at Domaine de la Ruisselière in the Beaujolais region of France.
