By FGR Bureau
“Welcoming the recent outcomes of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Katowice, Science can indeed be a tangible way forward to reflect the said priorities of SPBF-2. The bottom line is “coherent policy frameworks, good governance mechanisms and sound means of implementation strategies” should form the mosaic of Green Governance”.
The Second Global Session of the UN Science-Policy Business Forum on the Environment (SPBF-2) was convened from 8-10 March 2019 at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya. This framework is designed to catalyze a more dynamic interface between science, policy, business and society. It is designed as an accelerator and incubator of innovation and positive change towards green solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In support of the UNEA4 theme of “Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production,” SPBF-2 focused on six key streams of which included ‘Science for Shaping Green Policies’. Science is our best hope to enable informed choices & voices about our future. Green policies must amalgamate the fusion of ‘innovation’ entrepreneurship, science, social engineering and green good governance.
Launched at the UN Environment Assembly in December 2017, the UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment is a framework designed to catalyze a more dynamic interface between science, policy, business and society. It is designed as an accelerator and incubator of innovation and positive change towards green solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forum promoted opportunities for green investment, driven by advances in science and technology, empowering policies and innovative financing. It was attempted to maximize the efficient use of natural resources and encourage environmentally sound choices by all players across all sectors. We need to alter not only the physical design and infrastructure, but also to encourage positive resourcing decisions, behavioral change and policy action.
National pledges under the Paris Agreement aim to bring around a third of the reduction in emissions required by 2030 to meet climate targets. The forum also examined the means of harnessing the power of finance, market and green technology to fight climate change. The Green Technology Startup Hub showcased some ground-breaking innovations with in-depth sessions focusing on specific projects, financing and the policy support required to mainstream solutions and to bridge the technology divide.
Taking into considerations of Producing and Consuming more food than ever before, with detrimental impacts on human and planet health, the forum argued the principles of SDGs 12 (Responsible Production & Consumption). Measuring and achieving food waste reduction at global level, promoting healthy & nutritional lifestyle.
Initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Solid Waste Management rules must promote scientific collection, disposal and treatment of wastes generated. Scientific concepts of circular approach show the way to instill 6Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, Rethink and Regenerate. Moreover, every government policy must enclose ‘green mandate’ stepping in pace towards inclusive governance while benchmarking appropriate basic infrastructure. Paradigm of innovation must be coupled with science to trigger robust inclusion of cost effective and optimal resource utilization.
With overarching objective of promoting SCIENCE in everyday lives, we must recognize to translate science as a key indicator to shape the future of Aspiring India. For instance, our on-field experiences in the Aspirational Districts of Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand proved that Science as a medium can be enforced through Lab-to-Land i.e. disseminating scientific awareness and temper, raising capacity building of the people, encompassing scientific green practices like rewilding, it signified to underline that the essence of Science is unproven till its translated as a scientific practice at Ground Zero.
Besides Science, the Forum also promoted strengthening the evolving role of art and citizen science as well as creating the conditions to support and empower green technology startups. This year’s Global Session of the Forum focuses on the nexus of science, innovation and entrepreneurship for the environment, and covered the following key streams:
Foundation for a Global Digital Platform for our Planet
This stream was built on discussions covering the following key tracks: Opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Big Data, Earth observations and remote sensing, Governance, Equity and Ethics; Financing.
Changing discourse: Smarter, Greener Solutions for Cities
Innovative technologies from E-mobility to green buildings need to be leveraged to maximize the efficient use of natural resources and encourage environmentally sound choices by all players across all sectors. We need to alter not only the physical design and infrastructure, but also to encourage positive resourcing decisions, behavioral change and policy action.
Green Technology Startup Hub
Startups are transforming markets and economic growth. The forum acted as an accelerator and incubator of start-up innovation for the environment as it examines the enabling policies and actions required to use such innovation to transform the world into greener and more sustainable living.
Innovative Solutions on Climate Challenge: Finance, Market and Non-State Actors
It also examined means of harnessing the power of finance, market and non-state actors to fight climate change and support National pledges under the Paris Agreement to meet climate targets.
Healthy Food for a Sustainable Planet
Sessions examined Agricultural transformation to determine sustainable and climate-smart agricultural models, and the need for good Nutrition and healthy diets. This was realized to understand that we are producing and consuming more food than ever before, with detrimental impacts on human and planet health.
Welcoming the recent outcomes of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Katowice, Science can indeed be a tangible way forward to reflect the said priorities of SPBF-2. The bottom line is “coherent policy frameworks, good governance mechanisms and sound means of implementation strategies” should form the mosaic of Green Governance. Further, working with different stakeholders, finding environmentally friendly practices & alternatives, investing in environmental research, education and awareness, seeking innovative & nature based solutions to environmental problems can act as supplement towards Green Governance. The Forum is a platform for opportunities for green investment, driven by advances in science and technology, empowering policies and innovative financing. It was attempted to maximize the efficient use of natural resources and encourage environmentally sound choices by all players across all sectors. We need to alter not only the physical design and infrastructure, but also to encourage positive resourcing decisions, behavioral change and policy action.
https://www.canstockphoto.com.au/go-green-icons-concept-tree-12796260.html
