UN SCIENCE-POLICY-BUSINESS
FORUM ON THE ENVIRONMENT
THIRD GLOBAL SESSION
18 to 20 February 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT
Organized at the dawn of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, UN-SPBF tackles unsustainable production and consumption as the common thread that runs through the three planetary crises as identified by UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy – climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Investing in the restoration of ecosystems and sustainable consumption and production offers the key to achieving a long-term and just post-COVID-19 recovery that accelerates and strengthens the achievement of the SDGs.
Each session under the UN-SPBF’s Third Global Session is designed to facilitate a multi-sectoral common agenda, with priority actions developed through an inclusive, participatory process that is in line with UNEP’s mandate and priorities. They aim to identify where the greatest opportunities for the shift to sustainable consumption and production lie by taking a full value-chain approach.
MEET OUR PANELLISTS
Inger Andersen
Executive Director
UN Environment ProgrammeUnder-Secretary-General
United Nations
Al Luming
Chairman
Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE)
Executive Director
SEE Foundation
Maimunah Mohd Sharif
Executive Director
United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Wayne Balta
Vice President of Corporate Environmental Affairs and Product Safety
IBM Corporation
Li Zhang
Secretary General
Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology Foundation/b>
Petteri Taalas
Secretary-General
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Alzbeta Klein
Director General
International Fertilizer Association
Harry Verhaar
Head of Global Public & Government Affairs
Philips Lighting
Programme
11:00 – 13:00 (East Africa Time)
Pre-session: Launch of the first SPBF Youth Track
Children and Youth are advocates for future generations. As the issues we are addressing during the forum will affect future generations, the contributions of the Children and Youth Major Group are indispensable for the UN-SPBF. This session will promote intergenerational dialogue and solidarity by recognizing the views of young people on the issues covered by the forum.
13:00 – 15:00 (East Africa Time)
Managing Risk: Pollution Prevention and Management – Addressing E-waste through Tracking, Traceability and Circular Approach
Around 20 to 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste are generated worldwide every year, comprising more than 5% of all municipal solid waste, which releases to the environment hazardous substances as well as materials of strategic value, such as indium and palladium, and precious metals such as gold, copper and silver.
15:30 – 16:00 (East Africa Time)
Official Opening
Opening statement and ambition setting.
Speakers: Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, and H.E. Sveinung Rotevatn, Norway Minister of Climate and the Environment
16:00 – 21:00 (East Africa Time)
Big Data and Frontier Tech: Powering the Transition to a Sustainable Future
For 68 per cent of the environment-related SDG indicators there is not enough data to assess progress. To achieve the environmental dimension of the SDGs, it is essential to scale up environmental action that is backed by adequate knowledge. A task that is only achievable through the deployment of the latest technologies, including earth observations, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and the Internet of Things.
13:00 – 14:30 (East Africa Time)
Managing Risk: Marine Litter and Microplastics Mitigation and Prevention
Significantly reducing marine pollution by 2025, as envisaged by the Sustainable Development Goals, requires focused, accelerated action by multiple actors and sectors. To tackle plastics, the largest, most harmful and persistent fraction of marine litter, immediate action is needed.
15:00 – 18:00 (East Africa Time)
Rethinking Cities: Bringing Nature to the Urban Environment
A transition towards low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially just cities is crucial to advance towards the 2030 Sustainable Development and New Urban agendas. Cities that become more resource-efficient in transport, commercial buildings, and building heating/ cooling could achieve reductions of between 36 to 54 percent in energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, metals, land and water use, according to the International Resources Panel.
13:00 – 16:00 (East Africa Time)
Nature-positive Food Systems for a Healthy Planet and Healthy People
The rebuilding of economies after the COVID-19 crisis offers a unique opportunity to transform the global food system and make it resilient to future shocks, while ensuring environmentally sustainable and healthy nutrition for all. As agricultural systems form the foundation of our food systems, it is imperative that they are redesigned to restore and regenerate, rather than degrade ecosystems — all while providing affordable and healthy diets for a global population estimated to reach 10 billion by 2050.
17:00 – 19:00 (East Africa Time)
Closing Session: Making peace with nature: The defining task of the 21st century
Multilateralism: Science, Policy, Innovation, Action!
This session will examine how different sectors can work together to harness new technologies and scientific advances to solve global issues affecting our planet.
WHY ATTEND?
Discover
There’s been an explosion of new ideas and thinking around tackling environmental challenges recently! Some of the biggest and most innovative of these will be featured at this event. Whatever your professional background you’ll discover cutting edge examples of impact from across sectors.
Prospect
How can my organisation deliver integrated solutions for nature? Great question! Identify key opportunities for your organisation by hearing from policy and business leaders on various issues – from creating digital ecosystems to building sustainable cities.
Network
At UNSPBF we recognise that people are at the centre of progress. That’s why we’ll be providing ample opportunity throughout the three days for delegates to meet and engage virtually through the networking space on our interactive event platform.
PARTNERS
