Brussels, 30 November 2022 – By making knowledge more accessible, working across disciplines and using technology wisely, science and policymaking can be brought closer together to tackle the triple planetary crisis, participants have heard at a high-level event in Brussels.
A two-day conference ended today in Brussels, highlighting the role of science in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and preventing other environmental challenges from emerging. The high-level event ‘Strengthening Multilateralism through Science’ was co-organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) and held in hybrid format.
Science plays an important role in diplomacy and environmental multilateralism. It has always been the power behind concerted action to address global environmental problems and is key to delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For over 50 years, countries have worked together to repair the ozone layer, fight deforestation, protect the oceans, and phase out deadly forms of air pollution.
The recently concluded UN Climate Conference (COP27) has demonstrated how science is integral to multilateralism. Negotiations were informed by reports like UNEP’s 2022 Emissions Gap and Adaptation Gap reports, both of which were cited in the Sharm el-Sheikh implementation plan. The milestone decision by UN Member States at UNEA 5.2 to develop an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, is another example of how science informs multilateralism and compels nations to act.
UNEP@50, Stockholm+50 and UNGA 77 multilateral processes that took place earlier this year have bolstered the importance and visibility of science as a foundation of environmental multilateralism. Science is also at the heart of the European Green Deal and plays an important role in informing the EU actions to reach related EU targets.
“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,” observed Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, in her opening message.
Despite ample warnings, global responses to the planetary crises are not at the pace and scale required to achieve the SDGs and avoid catastrophic consequences for humanity. According to the UNEP report Making Peace with Nature (2021), the world is failing to meet most of its commitments, which are based on a generally agreed understanding of the underlying science.
"The newest proof that we must do more in science-informed policy making is the recently concluded climate COP27. In spite of being informed by the freshest edition of IPCC's assessment reports, parties failed to adopt bold language in relation to the need for peaking of global emissions by 2025 or taking decisive path to phase out fossil fuels globally. This shows that integration of science in policy making is still not sufficient." said Jan Dusik, Deputy Minister of Environment of Czech Republic and Head of the Czech Presidency Delegation to COP27.
"As the overall theme of this conference highlights, science is also the key to delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also requires evidence-based knowledge of efficiency of the adopted measures," said Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
A disconnection remains between science and policy. This disconnection is explicitly recognized in the UN Secretary General’s report “Our Common Agenda” which calls for change to ensure a prominent voice for science and expertise, where policy and budget decisions should be backed by science.
“The question is how to make multilateral systems move faster and harder in the direction of solutions-focused action,” said Inger Andersen.
The Executive Director put forward action in three areas: Firstly, making the science more transparent, understandable, actionable and accessible. Secondly, in relation to improving the science policy interface by working across disciplines, streamlining knowledge production, making science more proactive, by making science more inclusive – from respected scientists to indigenous women to bright young youth. Thirdly, in relation to technology, using data and knowledge wisely, through green technological advances, whilst keeping an eye on any potential negative impacts of new technology and considering nature as a key solution.
The conference acknowledged that there is no quick solution to all problems, but a combination of different solutions based on science targeting all levels of society and adapted to the specific needs and capacity of each person, entity or country. Every individual, every business, and every government must act.
NOTE: A more detailed summary of the outcomes of the event will be published here soon: https://www.unep.org/events/conference/strengthening-multilateralism-through-science
BACKGROUND
The conference brought together high-level speakers from international organizations, EU institutions, diplomats, the academic sector, financial institutions, and civil society, joined by an online audience in Brussels. High level discussions on science diplomacy were followed by two thematic discussions zooming in respectively on science in global cooperation, and in Zero Pollution actions.
The event was organized with support from the Geneva Environment Network.
ABOUT CZECH Presidency
Since the adoption of 14 resolutions on the UNEA-5 in February/March 2022, the primary goal of the Czech Presidency set for the second half a year was the right implementation of these resolutions through science including science bodies, which help to achieve the results. The priorities of the Czech Presidency (e.g. adaptation to climate change with a focus on landscape restoration and soil coservation; biodiversity conservation and restoration with a focus on Nature Restoration Law; circular economy a pollution reduction) were behind the CZ efforts to organize this event to set the compass for tackling these planetary crises and coordinate better.
ABOUT UNEP and Science
Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the UN system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
The core mandate of UNEP is to keep the world environment situation under review and strengthen the interface between science and policymaking across the sustainable development agenda.
By keeping the environment at the forefront of global processes and decision-making, UNEP is actively strengthening the science policy interface, making use of digital and new analytical tools and focusing on enhancing the diversity of voices having input into the science and decisions shaping the future. Strengthening the inherent value and values of science to deliver climate ambitions in an integrated manner, while addressing nature and pollution crises, is at the heart of UN Secretary General’s “Common Agenda” and UNEP’s Medium-term Strategy 2022-2025.
More information:
Janyl Moldalieva, UN Environment Programme, Brussels Office: unep-eu@un.org
Kateřina Filipová, Ministry of Environment Spokesperson for the Czech Presidency, Katerina.Filipova@mzp.cz
