In a pivotal gathering that underscored the collaborative spirit necessary to address the globe’s pressing environmental dilemmas, the UN Science-Policy-Business Forum convened a Special Session on 27 February in Nairobi, Kenya, in support of the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6).
This dynamic and interactive event drew over 550 attendees in-person and countless others via live stream, bringing together a diverse assembly of more than 100 ministers, distinguished speakers, and innovators across over 45 sectors—from the business world, governmental bodies, scientific communities, to civil society and youth groups.
The Gathering of Visionaries
Visionaries shared their insights throughout the day. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP, called for multilateral solutions to the triple planetary crisis, and to bridge the funding gap of Nature-based Solutions: “We have to recognize that restoration, afforestation, and land restoration are Nature-based Solutions, that they slow and build resilience to climate impacts, they back vital biodiversity, and they provide food security, jobs, and better health.” “What we need to do now,” she continued, “is get our financial incentives right so that nature can be more in balance.”
Leila Benali, UNEA-6 President, emphasized the need for more alliances between scientists, business leaders, and policymakers, calling for “renewed multilateralism” and underscoring that the “world cannot afford to deprioritize the triple planetary crisis against pressing socio-economic development challenges.” Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Botswana, urged increased collaboration “not just in science, but with indigenous knowledge” and to “think globally, coordinate regionally, and act locally.”
In a morning high-level opening segment, 19 speakers representing multiple sectors imagined a world in which: trillions of dollars are invested in nature-based solutions; the infrastructure and building sectors are decarbonized; and artificial intelligence bridges knowledge gaps by supporting contextualized solutions at the local level. “Partnership is the new leadership. Let’s listen to the global demand for more climate action, and let’s shape our common future,” said Tora Leifland, Head of Public Affairs, Volvo Group
Watch the full morning opening plenary and review ideas presented by visionaries representing multiple sectors.
Highlighting the event was the participation of H.E. Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of Kenya, who graced the forum as a guest of honor. Her presence at the high-level lunch and her insights shared during the afternoon Opening Plenary added a significant dimension to the discussions, emphasizing the role of leadership in environmental stewardship. “We need to pull our resources together to finance Nature-based Solutions such as [Kenya’s] tree-growing strategy: I call upon all-minded organizations, from the philanthropic private sector, the research and science community, as well as individuals who share our commitment to join us in this endeavor.”
Watch the afternoon Opening Plenary
Laying the Foundations for Environmental Action
Shereen Zorba, Executive Secretary of the UN-SPBF Global Secretariat, set the tone for the day with a powerful reminder of the forum’s seven-year journey of commitment and collaboration towards overcoming environmental challenges. “Those here today hold much knowledge, power, and influence to create the world we want,” Zorba stated, calling for a united effort towards a prosperous future for both the planet and its inhabitants.
A Day of Impactful Deliberations
The forum’s program was meticulously structured into three main sections, addressing Sector-Wide Transitions, Financial and Economic Tools, and Integrated Early Warning Systems. Each segment provided a platform for exchanging innovative ideas and best practices, with nineteen speakers delivering TED-like talks on transformative concepts for meeting environmental goals.
Harnessing Collective Wisdom for the Environment
Part I: Pioneering Sector-Wide Transitions
Recommendations from the International Resource Panel’s 2024 Global Resources Outlook (GRO) highlighted a path towards slashing carbon dioxide emissions by over 80% by 2060 through sustainable consumption, circular economies, and resource efficiency.
Key sectors such as mining, fashion, and soil health were spotlighted, with actionable advice ranging from implementing comprehensive environmental policies to fostering sustainable land management practices.
Experts recommended:
Responsible Mining Practices:
- Implementing comprehensive environmental protection policies in mining activities to minimize ecological impact.
- Promoting certifications that guarantee environmental stewardship and social responsibility within the mining industry to build trust and credibility among stakeholders.
- Enhancing transparency and accountability across the mining sector by integrating sustainability principles into all operational aspects.
- Speakers working with the business sector said showcasing the cost-benefit for financial institutions to participate in the green transition would go a long way in encouraging them to transition to carbon-neutral practices.
Thread Lightly: Unravelling the Fabric of Sustainable Fashion:
- Promoting circularity in the fashion industry, emphasizing value over volume.
- Encouraging sustainable practices, including eco-friendly production processes and sourcing from certified supply chains.
- Supporting technology transfer and capacity-building to meet sustainability standards in the textile industry.
- Implementing policies that shift consumer behavior towards lifelong value, reducing overconsumption. Speakers underscored their willingness to collaborate with other stakeholders in the fashion sector, linking innovation, design, and market approaches.
Building a Business Case for Soil Health:
- Establishing an enabling policy framework that promotes sustainable land management.
- Supporting mobile soil testing services and customized fertilizer recommendations.
- Scaling up good soil management practices through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
- Incentivize research and development into sustainable soil management strategies that integrate modern technology with traditional knowledge.
Part II: Mobilizing Economic and Financial Instruments
A high-level panel shed light on redirecting financial flows towards Nature-based Solutions (NbS), with insights on adopting integrated green financial instruments and tools for assessing biodiversity risks.
This panel showcased, among others:
- Best practices in the adoption of integrated green financial instruments, as well as multi-stakeholder initiatives, such as those between governments and international financial institutions on green bonds.
- Tools for governments to redirect financial flows towards Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) through policy instruments, including public-private expenditure reports, budget tracking at different levels, exploration of green and blue government bonds, and governance strengthening exemplify a comprehensive strategy for financial redirection.
- Tools to assess biodiversity risks in credit analysis, which would enable financial institutions their credit analysis with environmental considerations.
The Argument for High-Integrity Carbon Markets:
Key recommendations from the experts included:
- Establishing clearer guidelines on credit quality and claims in carbon markets and implementing high transparency standards and a level playing field to ensure predictable pricing and prevent double counting of carbon credits. Speakers from governments highlighted regulatory initiatives to address challenges like double counting and greenwashing.
- Involving financial institutions in providing capital for carbon markets but also in supporting the development of global standards and consistent guidelines. Investors emphasized the importance of working with credible project managers to develop high-quality products.
- Providing financial support and create favorable conditions for the development of carbon markets in different sectors, such as agriculture, forest, land use, and waste management.
Embracing digital solutions to enhance transparency and traceability of carbon credits.
Thematic Roundtable on the Cost of Climate and Nature Positive Transitions: From Strategy to Action
Key recommendations included:
- Developing legal and policy frameworks that foster a supportive environment for investment and innovation. Speakers focused on new financing sources, especially from the private sector.
- Developing integrated financing plans at the country level to bridge financing gaps, signal positive incentives to the private sector, and mitigate the risks of disorderly transitions.
- Aligning climate targets with investment opportunities to attract investors.
- Encouraging insurance companies to actively participate in climate action beyond declarations.
Expanding the focus beyond climate financing to include biodiversity and nature financing.
Part III – Forecasting the Future: Towards Integrated Early Warning Systems for the Planet
The urgent need for enhanced data equity and the development of localized Early Warning Systems was addressed, with speakers advocating for global data-sharing agreements and investment in technologies to support disaster response and long-term planning aligned with Agenda 2030.
- Speakers highlighted the need for data equity and accessibility, calling for enhanced global data-sharing agreements, technologies, and infrastructure to ensure that countries and communities that lack sufficient data can access the information necessary to build effective Early Warning Systems (EWS).
- Investment in Localized Early Warning Systems was another topic of focus, with experts noting the need for direct funding and resources towards the development and implementation of localized EWS that are tailored to regional and community-specific needs.
Other recommendations included establishing comprehensive training programs to strengthen local capacities in interpreting and acting upon early warning information; breaking down the silos between governmental agencies, NGOs, private entities, and local communities to create an integrated approach to EWS; and encouraging the use of EWS as a tool not only for disaster response but also for long-term planning and investment decisions that align with the Agenda 2030.
A Call to Action
The UN Science-Policy-Business Forum’s Special Session for UNEA-6 not only highlighted the critical environmental challenges facing our planet but also showcased the power of inter-sectoral collaboration in devising effective solutions. As we move forward, the insights and recommendations from this forum serve as a pathway for collective action, emphasizing the role of integrated solutions and a whole-of-society approach in driving global environmental governance towards a sustainable future.
Explore further details and insights from the event’s proceedings and witness the collaborative spirit in action by accessing the session recordings and coverage: link
Photos by IISD/ENB: Angeles Estrada