With the completion of the Paris Agreement Work Programme at COP24, urgent focus is now on scaling up climate action and on closing the ambition gap through new or updated nationally determined contributions.
During the 4th annual Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for the SDGs the 14-15 May 2019 at UN Headquarters in New York, UNEP DTU Partnership will co-host an event on Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on Science, Technology and Innovation.
The event will take place on the 14th at 6:30-8 PM and is organised by UNFCCC, UN Environment, UNIDO and UNPE DTU Partnership.
Country needs and barriers are essential
As SDG 13, climate action is deeply interconnected with most other SDGs. Progress on SDG 13, however, is falling short of what is needed to meet the targets of the global agenda by 2030.
Understanding technology needs is the starting point for effective action on climate change. However, before investing in technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts, it is essential to assess and analyse a country’s specific needs.
The event taking place during the STI for the SDGs Forum will ask, and attempt to answer the following key questions:
- What are the principal obstacles in scaling-up the deployment of proven technologies for SDG 13? What are the roles to be played by policy makers, entrepreneurs, scientists, financiers and others in this regard?
- What are the proven technologies and innovations that can accelerate progress towards SDG 13? What is needed to realize their potential at scale?
- What are the key elements that countries and international organizations may need to take into account in formulating action plans and/or roadmaps for science, technology and innovation for the SDGs?
Cross-cutting issues
The STI Forum brings together relevant stakeholders to leverage scientific knowledge, technological advancements, and innovation to achieve the SDGs. In 2019 this is done with a special focus on SDGs 4, 8, 10, 13, and 16, with a crosscutting theme of inclusiveness and equality.
The forum will focus on technological change, socio-economic and environmental impacts of emerging technologies, and capacity building. A key outcome of the Forum will be the summary of discussions offered by the Forum’s Co-Chairs as input to the High Level Political Forum.
Because of the cross-cutting nature of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, and of science, technology and innovation, holistic approaches and strategies are required.
However, for many developing countries creating policies and projects that can attract international finance is a major barrier for technology implementation. Through the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) project, UNEP DTU Partnership is assisting countries determine technology priorities for national policy and planning, and leveraging significant investments.
The objectives of the STI Forum event are to:
- Identify synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on science, technology and innovation.
- Maximizing science, technology and innovation co-benefits by linking implementation across SDGs and Climate Action.
