Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished guests. Welcome to today’s conference on strengthening multilateralism through science, co-hosted by UNEP and Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union. My thanks to the Czech Presidency for its efforts on multilateralism and for co-hosting this event.
I cannot be with you in person, as I am in Uruguay at the first meeting of the intergovernmental committee to develop an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. This milestone decision, taken by UN Member States at UNEA 5.2 this year, is a great example of how science informs multilateralism and compels nations to act.
The recently concluded climate COP also demonstrated how science is integral to multilateralism. Yes, the outcome was a mixed bag. The language on 1.5 degrees C and ending fossil fuels was weak, but we did see history made with a loss and damage fund.
Yet without science, we wouldn’t be having these discussions at all. We would be scratching our heads, wondering why the climate has gone haywire, and have no idea what to do. We do know what to do – thanks to reports like UNEP’s Emissions Gap and Adaptation Gap, which were cited in the Sharm el-Sheikh implementation plan.
The same applies to the upcoming biodiversity COP, at which nations must agree an ambitious new framework to protect biodiversity. Science identifies the problem and gives us solutions.
But for all that science has achieved, the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste is accelerating. We are far behind on cutting emissions, protecting and restoring nature, on ending pollution and waste streams that poison people and planet.
The question before you is how science can make multilateral systems move faster and harder in the direction of solutions-focused action. Please allow me to offer up my thoughts, in three areas.
The first area is to make science more transparent, understandable, actionable and accessible.
Everyone is busy. The people we most want to influence are not experts on the environment. So, we need simple messages that focus on what policymakers, the private sector, investors and individuals can do, rather than what they haven’t done. There is a payoff to well-communicated science. When the world discovered the impact of lead on children’s health and communicated it, everyone listened. We now have no leaded fuel. This prevents 1.2 million premature deaths each year.
The second is to improve the science policy interface.
We need to work across disciplines to accelerate how science drives effective policy change, regulatory change or law-based changes. We need to streamline knowledge production so that we narrow the time lag between science and action, which is too long. Science must also be more proactive, which is a key focus of UNEP’s work. Crucially, science should also be more inclusive. Diversity allows us to meld ideas and deliver solutions that work. We must use every piece of knowledge – from respected scientists to indigenous women to bright young youth.
The third area is to use technology wisely.
The data revolution, advanced analytics and AI have helped scientists better understand the impacts of climate change. Green technological advances make it more feasible for policymakers and the public to imagine shifting transportation and energy systems. In many parts of the world, science has helped reduce emissions. We need more of this – with one eye on any potential negative impacts of new technology. And we should also start thinking of nature as a key solution. Nature cools, filters, protects against storms and so much more – all things we do try to do with technology when perhaps we don’t have to.
Friends,
Today’s conference in Brussels – the birthplace of the European Green Deal – provides an opportunity to discuss action in these areas and more. It provides a chance to focus on science that doesn’t just warn but delivers change through multilateralism and beyond. I look forward to hearing your recommendations.
Thank you.
