Science in UNEP PoW. Para. 88 of the Rio +20 outcome doc.: science to feature permanently in UNEP s programme

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1 Science in UNEP PoW UNEP by mandate keeps the world environment under review. It provides the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) It plays a key role in articulating the voice for the environment in the Post 2015 process on Sustainable Development Goals and informing the United National Environment Assembly. It supports global assessments such as the IPCC and the IPBES It links environmental information and emerging issues on country, regional and global level to human development, governance and environmental policy implementation. Science is central in supporting UNEP s global, regional and national responsibilities. Critical to the global environment; either positive or negative but environmental in nature, or environmentallyrelated Para. 88 of the Rio +20 outcome doc.: science to feature permanently in UNEP s programme

2 Key Elements of UNEP s Science Strategy 1. Anticipating the Future: identifying emerging environmental issues Global Environmental Alert Service timely information on critical environmental developments (e.g. Sand, Loss and Damage) regular Foresight Process ranking the most important emerging issues for a wide audience (e.g. UNEP-Foresight process (Islands, Global 21 st Cent.) 2. Designing the Future: developing solution-oriented, sustainability scenarios scenarios as part of various projects in the POW. assist member states to build scenarios as part of the GEO-5 follow- up cross-divisional Scenario Team to support internal and external scenario development 3. Catalyzing needed science: a global sustainability science agenda for sustainable development. reverse integrated assessments in order to identify key questions from the policy arena expand the area of UNEP s science-policy arena by linking with through contacts with Science/Research ministries 4. Bolstering UNEP s scientific weight establish new scientific partnerships strengthen the scientific competence of its staff

3 Emerging Issues in UNEP PoW Emerging Issues: an issue (positive or negative) which is not yet generally recognized but which may have significant impact on human and/or ecosystem health Criteria: Critical to the global environment; either positive or negative but environmental in nature, or environmentally-related. Given priority over the next one to three years in the work programme of UNEP and, or, other UN institutions and, or, other international institutions concerned with the global environment. Have a large spatial scale. Issues should either be global, continental or universal in nature (i.e. occurring in many places). Recognised as emerging based on newness: new scientific knowledge; new scales or accelerated rates of impact; heightened level of awareness; and, or, new ways to respond to the issue. Examples: UNEP Year Book, e books, Apps (e.g. GEO SIDS) UNEP-GEAS (e.g. Sand, Loss and Damage) UNEP-Foresight process (Islands, Global 21 st Cent.) Components: Emerging environmental issues identification and analysis (regional and global partners) Exploration of future pathways to fill gaps (e.g. UNEP Live Regional Networking Conferences) Emerging environmental issues in-depth reports Outreach and Engagement

4 GEO Process, UNEP Live, and scales Global Gender Environment Outlook Global Chemicals Outlook GEO-Small Island Developing States IPBES - etc. Regional Priorities and Policy Processes, Conventions, MEAs National Priorities Policy processes global GEO (5 drivers*) to inform UNEA 6 Regional and biennially X sub-regional Assessments; integr. emerging issues assessments National State of Environment Reporting (SoE) SPM (regional / global) for and by policy makers * Drivers (Megatrends): - Demographic dynamics - Environm. Processes & change - Macroeconomics / Policies - Governance/Institutions - Technology/Innovation UNEP Live, open access, inclusive knowledge infrastructure and management Country Data, Big Data, Crowd Sourcing, Communities of Practice

5 Contd. environmental assessment process and scales the new GEO Process and UNEP Live support Regional user conferences and Assessments SPM (regional / global) for and by policy makers to inform UNEA 2 biennially 6 Regional user conferences and Assessments SPM (regional / global) for and by policy makers to inform UNEA 3 biennially 6 Regional user conferences and Assessments SPM (regional / global) for and by policy makers to inform UNEA 4 biennially Emerging issues Emerging issues Emerging issues Emerging issues Solid foundation in data, synthesis and review by growing Communities of Practice on all scales

6 Future Earth: Implementation in brief

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8 Proposed Research Themes of FE 1 Dynamic Planet: Observing, explaining, understanding, projecting earth, environmental and societal system trends, drivers and processes and their interactions; anticipating global thresholds and risks. 2 Global development: Providing the knowledge for sustainable, secure and fair stewardship of food, water, biodiversity, health, energy, materials and other ecosystem functions and services. 3 Transformation towards Sustainability: Understanding transformation processes and options, assessing how these relate to human values, emerging technologies and 8

9 Criteria for Future Earth Research From fundamental to useinspired Earth system research for global sustainability Answer complex questions that require international collaboration Co-design and co-production of knowledge Integrates natural, economic, engineering, arts, humanities and social sciences Regional to global scale

10 Summary SDGs, HLPF, and Global Sustainable Development Report, Green Economy, TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity_ GEO-6 will be an integrated assessment framed through five key megatrends will include the following key elements: Findings of the Regional Assessments (FE structural and context link) Integrated environment assessment through the lens of the five drivers Analysis of progress towards meeting internationally agreed goals /Global Environmental Goals (GEGs) Emerging environmental issues and solutions Case studies Gap analysis of data, information and assessments Effective policies, plans and programmes at multiple scales Elements IPBES Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) UNEP Live contr. to FE and BF and a beneficiary - CoP / mesh netw. UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism PROVIA (Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptations) Observation Review

11 End poverty in all its forms everywhere End hunger, achieve food security and adequate nutrition for all, and promote sustainable agriculture Attain healthy life for all at all ages Equitable and inclusive quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all Attain gender equality, empower women and girls everywhere Secure water and sanitation for all for a sustainable world Ensure access to affordable, sustainable, and reliable modern energy services for all Promote strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all Promote sustainable industrialization Reduce inequality within and among countries Build inclusive, safe and sustainable cities and human settlements Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns Promote actions at all levels to address climate change Attain conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, oceans and seas Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and halt all biodiversity loss Achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, rule of law, effective and capable institutions Strengthen and enhance the means of implementation and global partnership for sustainable development