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IGES presented key messages on sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19
The High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2020 took place from 7-16 July, with the theme of “Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. On 8 July, during the official meeting session entitled “Protecting the planet and building resilience”, IGES President Kazuhiko Takeuchi argued that the COVID-19 pandemic was due to unsustainable interactions between societies and natural systems, intensified by rapid globalisation. He also emphasised that, by re-establishing a synergistic relationship between people and nature, such risks can be greatly reduced. In his conclusion, he stressed that this harmony with nature is fundamental for a sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19, and expressed his hope to learn about initiatives from other countries, so that we can not only “build back better” but also “move forward together”. Please visit the link below for his full remarks:
 More details available here |
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IGES side events at HLPF 2020
At HLPF 2020, IGES hosted two side events. On 15 July, at “An Interregional Dialogue on how SDG governance and policy coherence can accelerate action and progress on the SDGs in the post-COVID-19 era”, IGES President Kazuhiko Takeuchi and Eric Zusman, Research Leader, made presentations, and the event featured a discussion on how SDG governance and policy at the national and international levels can accelerate action toward achieving the SDGs in the post-COVID-19 era. On 16 July, Prof. Takeuchi spoke at the event “Satoyama Initiative – Societies in Harmony with Nature: An inclusive approach for communities, landscapes and seascapes”. He introduced ways in which the Satoyama Initiative is contributing to protecting the planet and building resilience, advancing human well-being and sharing nature’s economic benefits, as well as fostering partnership. The Minister of the Environment, Shinjiro Koizumi, also participated in the event, while attendees discussed how this approach can be integrated into SDG-related policies at the national and sub-national levels.
View a video of the 15 July event: here
Presentation materials for Prof. Takeuchi on 16 July: here |
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“Commentary on Japan’s Policy Plan for ‘Phasing out Inefficient Coal-fired Plants’ ―The Plan is not consistent with the Paris Agreement―”
On 7 July, IGES released its commentary regarding the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s plan to begin phasing out inefficient coal-fired power plants. IGES’s analysis demonstrates that this policy is inconsistent with the Paris Agreement, and this commentary illustrates the extent to which the policy is in alignment with the 1.5ºC/2ºC Paris Agreement targets. Estimations of power generation and CO2 emissions show the plan does not make a radical shift away from conventional energy policy and appears to be insufficient for remaining on track towards meeting the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement. Thus, in addition to phasing out inefficient coal-fired power plants, it is necessary to take measures aimed at transitioning the entire energy sector to net-zero emissions.
More details available here |
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IGES and the US Chamber of Commerce Co-hosted an Online Consultation on the Marine Plastic Litter Issue in Preparation for G20
On 9 July, IGES and the International Policy Coalition for Sustainable Growth launched by the United States Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a virtual consultation entitled, “International Consultation on the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision: Policy and Business Solutions to Ocean Plastic Pollution in Southeast Asia”. Focusing on Southeast Asia, where marine plastic pollution from land-based sources is particularly alarming, business representatives, policymakers and experts from around the world discussed the role that the private sector can play to contribute to addressing marine plastic pollution, in terms of circular economy and resource efficiency. Participants reaffirmed their intention to make further progress on realising the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, while IGES will continue to contribute to addressing this issue through strengthening its diverse partnerships both in Japan and internationally.
More details available here |
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Two new local government reports are now available in the VLR Lab
IGES manages the VLR Lab, an online platform offering comprehensive information about local government actions on the SDGs. Voluntary Local Review (VLR) is an international initiative in which local governments voluntarily review the status of their efforts on the SDGs and publish the results as a report comparable with other local governments. New reports on the cities of Turku and Espoo, both of which have pledged to become carbon neutral (Turku by 2029 and Espoo by 2030), have been added to the VLR Lab. A European Union (EU) study declared Espoo as the most sustainable city in the EU.
More details available here |
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