Advancing the Sustainable Consumption and Production Agenda at the 6th UN Environment Assembly

Report on the 10YFP Board and SCP Partners Meeting held on 24th February 2024 at UNEP HQ, Nairobi

As the world gathered at UNEP HQ in Nairobi for the 6th UN Environment Assembly (taking place from 26 February to 1 March 2024), our network took the opportunity to bring together partners with our Board to advance the Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) agenda with dialogue, exchange, and inspiring engagement.?

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The day began with the 10YFP Board meeting, which discussed global efforts towards advancing sustainability goals and efforts to fostering strategic partnerships for equitable development.?

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Afterwards, we convened a day of engaging topical thematic sessions which welcomed experts and leaders in SCP to share powerful insights and ideas. Engaging our in-person attendees taking part in UNEA6 as well as an active online global audience, our sessions offered inspiring and pointed conclusions which encourage furthering the SCP agenda during UNEA6 and beyond.?

Our day concluded with a reception during which we were joined by representatives of member states and partners, including an inspiring address from UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, motivating all to realise an ambitious and successful UNEA.?

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In this special edition of our One Planet Network newsletter, we explore the key themes, challenges, and ideas which were addressed across the day, with links available to watch our?recorded thematic sessions.??

IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin Coverage:

The full day of activity featured in the International Institute for Sustainable Development ’s ‘Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB)’ - “a balanced, timely, and independent reporting service on United Nations environment and development negotiations”. A detailed report of our Board and thematic sessions is available , alongside a summary with photographs taken on the day .

10YFP Board:

The 10YFP Board converged at UNEP HQ in Nairobi in the lead-up to 6th UN Environment Assembly, kicking off a day of activity designed to stimulate, coordinate, and inspire the Sustainable Consumption and Production agenda during UNEA6 and beyond.??

The meeting served as a pivotal platform for discussions among esteemed Board members, Programme Co-Leads, and representatives from Member States. Key topics included priority activities, budget allocation, and strategic interventions for the year 2024.?

During the meeting, H.E. Ambassador Giovanna Valverde Stark , Co-Chair of the 10YFP Board, underscored the urgent imperative of Sustainable Development Goal 12.1, emphasizing the critical need for policies supporting sustainable consumption and production. ?

Elizabeth Mrema , Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), provided insights into the alarming projections of unsustainable consumption and production patterns, advocating for the integration of circularity interventions to address these challenges. ?

Jorge Laguna-Celis , Head of the 10YFP Secretariat, UNEP, delivered updates on the implementation of the Results Framework and Budget for 2023-2024, highlighting significant advancements in promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).?

Strategic collaborations with various entities, including the Food and Agriculture Organization ( 联合国粮农组织 ), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) / 联合国开发计划署 , United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization ( UNIDO ), and Imternational Telecommunication Union (ITU), were discussed as integral components of advancing SCP across diverse sectors.?

In addition, Brazil has generously offered to host the One Planet Network Forum in September 2024. The chosen theme, "Reducing Inequalities and Achieving Just Transitions for All through Sustainable Consumption and Production, Including Through Circular Economy," reflects our collective commitment to fostering equitable and sustainable development pathways. Discussions were also held regarding the Global Dialogue on SCP, with proposals forthcoming.?

Lastly, updates were provided on the renewal process for 10YFP Board Membership, encouraging Regional Groups to renominate existing members.

Thematic Sessions:

Upon conclusion of the Board’s closed session, we moved to a full day of thematic sessions which were open to UNEA6 participants, partners, and interested member states, as well as welcoming virtual participants from across the world with our sessions broadcasted live online .

Towards a Global Dialogue on Sustainable Consumption and Production:

We kicked off the day of thematic sessions with a leading discussion on the imperative need for a global dialogue on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP),?Speakers including Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP,?underscored the imperative need for a global dialogue on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and emphasised that such dialogue transcends mere symbolism by serving as a pivotal platform for tangible outcomes. Active participation from all stakeholders was urged, with specific emphasis on translating dialogue into concrete action.?

The discussion further highlighted the pivotal role of youth in SCP initiatives, advocating for their unique ability to engage diverse audiences and communities on sustainable practices. Drawing from country experiences, progress in capacity building and action planning towards circular economy transition was showcased, offering valuable lessons for other nations.?

Emphasis was placed on addressing social inequalities alongside SCP goals, highlighting the interconnectedness of social justice and sustainability. Additionally, grassroots initiatives were spotlighted, illustrating the significance of localized efforts in driving SCP transformation.?

Setting the stage for the spirit of upcoming discussions, the session promoted?collaboration?by highlighting the crucial role of youth, diverse stakeholders, and country experiences in shaping the dialogue and its outcomes.?

Sheila Aggarwal-Khan , Director of the Industry and Economy Division at UNEP

Watch Recorded Session

Leveraging Digital Standards and Tools for Sustainable Consumption and Production

Adriana Zacarias Farah , Head of GO4SDGs and Deputy Head One Planet Network, UNEP; and Reyna Ubeda , Project Officer at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

The second session of the day focused on the vital role of digital standards and tools in advancing Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) efforts. Participants highlighted the need for robust standards in digitalization for circular economies, emphasising their potential to enhance data governance within the sector. Key points included the importance of data quality, interoperability, governance, and accessibility in driving sustainable outcomes.?

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In a keynote presentation, concerns were raised about financial constraints hindering the transition to circular economies, with an emphasis on the significance of digital foundations. Efforts to establish global digital standards through initiatives like the Digitalization for Circular Economy were highlighted, emphasising collaboration with key stakeholders.?

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Panelists further emphasized the importance of sustainability in digital transformation, with a focus on ensuring ecological principles underpin digital standards. Challenges such as fragmentation in IoT and AI approaches were addressed, alongside efforts to leverage technology for sustainability and circularity.?

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The session underscored the pivotal role of digitalization in advancing SCP agendas, with an emphasis on collaboration, sustainability, and inclusivity in digital standards development.?

Watch Recorded Session

Business commitments to implement sustainable consumption and production and circular economy and measure progress through a Global Circularity Protocol for business

Inês dos Santos Costa, Sustainability and Climate, Circularity Leader for Public Sector, 德勤 Central Europe; Robert Metzke , Senior Vice President & Global Head Sustainability Royal Phillips; and Janez Potocnik , Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel (IRP)

In our third session of the day, we heard how businesses adhering to the Global Circularity Protocol are demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and transparency, fostering trust among consumers and investors. Panellists highlighted how commitments support responsible business conduct and highlighted the transformative potential of circularity in stimulating economic growth and job creation, particularly in sectors like textiles. Key insights included the ability of circular business models to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and the importance of transparency and accountability in driving circularity.

Efforts towards resource efficiency involve practices such as using recycled materials and designing products for durability and ease of reuse, reducing environmental impact and cutting costs for businesses. The session stressed the urgent need for resource efficiency due to the exponential increase in global material usage and its climate impacts. Speakers highlighted the importance of decoupling economic growth from resource consumption through innovative circular business models and increased accountability.

Strategies for waste minimisation, such as closed-loop manufacturing and waste-to-resource technologies, contribute to a more circular economy and reduce environmental footprint. Recommendations include adequately resourcing the circularity protocol, revising legal frameworks as needed, and developing new business models aligned with circularity protocols. The session also underscored the need for tailored financial instruments and regulatory support to scale circular initiatives.

Watch Recorded Session

Accelerating actions towards the implementation of food systems transformation targets

Robynne Anderson , President, Emerging ag inc. , and Monica Yator, Founder, Indigenous Women and Girls Initiative

The fourth session highlighted the imperative of addressing food waste, with discussions focusing on the sugarcane industry's potential transition to circularity as a significant source of bio-energy. Challenges such as ensuring political priority, deployment of financial resources, and unlocking technological advancements were underscored, emphasising the need for comprehensive strategies to drive circularity in food systems.

Transitioning to practices that minimize tilling, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and promote biodiversity within the agricultural system can contribute to soil health, water conservation, and reduced pollution. Speakers emphasized the importance of sustainable farming practices, particularly for small-scale farmers, in achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty eradication, zero hunger, and climate action. The session highlighted the need to integrate environmental considerations into agricultural policies and foster linkages between biodiversity conservation and food production.

Supporting small-scale, women-led farming initiatives, which often demonstrate strong circularity principles through localized production, resource sharing, and diversified cropping patterns, can contribute to food security, improved livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. The session underscored the diverse nature of the food system sector and called for inclusive transitions that address fundamental inequalities and empower marginalized communities. Recommendations included policy convergence, access to finance, and incentives to drive transformative change in food systems, with a focus on integrating circularity principles into national and global agendas.

Watch Recorded Session

Promoting scientific and data-driven approaches to promote SCP: closing the SDG data gap and accelerate the implementation of the circular economy ?

Jian Liu, Director of Early Warning and Assessment Division, UNEP, and Shannon Eileen Lisa, Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform, Major Group for Children and Youth

Our final session of the day considered how utilizing big data analysis can help identify areas where data collection is lacking related to the SDGs. By filling these gaps, we gain a clearer picture of progress made and can prioritize areas requiring further attention. The session highlighted the need for integrated approaches across all thematic programmes of UNEP, emphasizing the importance of leveraging data to monitor progress towards the SDGs and transition to a circular economy.

Analyzing large datasets across various sectors can reveal patterns and trends, allowing policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders to make data-driven decisions that support the transition towards a circular economy. Presentations underscored the advantages of big data and AI in resource mapping, waste monitoring, agricultural optimization, urban planning, and energy production, highlighting their potential to drive sustainable practices and inform policy development.

Big data can be used to optimize resource use within different sectors, such as identifying opportunities for more efficient resource allocation, reducing resource extraction, and promoting resource recovery and reuse. Case studies showcased initiatives to support countries in tracking their SDG implementation and transitioning towards circularity, emphasizing the role of capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and youth engagement in driving circular economy agendas. Discussions also highlighted the use of multiple datasets and AI in understanding carbon emissions from construction and promoting the use of bio-based materials in building construction, underscoring the importance of data-driven approaches in achieving sustainability goals.

Watch Recorded Session

Thank you to our valued partners and participants, both in-person and online, for such an engaging day exploring in-depth the ideas and solutions to drive forward the SCP agenda; we look forward to exploring these topics further as we work towards the OPN Forum this September in Brazil.