The first ever Earth Innovation Forum, held in Tallinn, Estonia on 5 September 2018, brought together representatives from across sectors to identify strategic solutions to environmental challenges in the lead up to the Fourth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) next year.
The event, described as a High-level International Environment Conference, was co-organized by the UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment and hosted by the Government of Estonia, which is currently leading the Presidency of UNEA-4.
During the one day conference, five sessions identified solutions to environmental challenges to help prepare for UNEA-4 which will convene in Nairobi, Kenya from 11-15 March 2019 under the overarching theme, “Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production”.
The conference focused on addressing four thematic areas necessary for creating sustainable societies:
- Governance, partnerships and emerging global issues,
- Data and technology innovation,
- The green economy and new business models innovations,
- Sustainable life styles and urban environment innovation.
More than 250 representatives from the private sector, academia, think tanks, civil society and high-level policy makers took part to introduce and discuss innovative approaches that can be scaled up through effective partnerships.
H.E. Ms. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of the Republic of Estonia, opened the meeting.
Other participants and panelists included: H.E. Mr. Siim Kiisler, Minister of Environment of Estonia and the President of UNEA-4, Mr. Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment, Ministers of the Environment from the bureau of UNEA-4, Representatives from the European Commission and OECD, representatives from academia, research institutions and think tanks, innovative businesses and start-ups, and international multi-stakeholder organizations.