High-level side event to be held during the fourth UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, March 2019.
The event has been organised by the Consumer Information and Sustainable Food Systems programmes, in partnership with the governments of Germany and Indonesia, as well as Cruelty Free International and WWF. It will highlight the strength of the One Planet Network as a multi-stakeholder platform, presenting specific examples of cross-sector partnerships and innovative solutions from the network.
Sectors of activity
Consumer Goods, Food & Beverage, Scientific Research, Development and Innovation
Type of initiative
Education & Awareness Raising
Type of lead actor
United Nations / intergovernmental organizations
Start date
11/03/2019
Submitted on:
21/02/2019Objectives
Event objectives:
1. Highlight the strength of the One Planet Network as a multi-stakeholder platform, with representatives from the Consumer Information and Sustainable Food Systems Programmes presenting specific examples of cross-sector partnerships and innovative solutions that are driving global progression towards SDG 12. As a result of this, aim to encourage stakeholders from the public and private sector, to join and engage as partners of the One Planet Network.
2. Showcase the work of the Consumer Information and Sustainable Food Systems Programmes, and their partners, as examples of innovative sustainable developments and solutions at a time of rapid technological change, working to address some of the major environmental challenges related to climate change and biodiversity, poverty and natural resource management, including sustainable food systems and food security.
3. Showcase examples of meeting growing consumer demand for products and experiences that meet people’s desire to live ethically and sustainably.
During this event, members of these One Planet Network programmes will showcase their work that is directly addressing all of the sub-themes of this Assembly. Partners from governments, civil society and the private sector will highlight their work on the ground to address some of the major environmental challenges related to climate change and biodiversity, poverty and natural resource management, including sustainable food systems and food security; as well as showcasing examples of how businesses today are exploring with civil society organizations how to make mission, purpose or meaning central to what they do and meeting growing consumer demand for products and experiences that meet people’s desire to live ethically and sustainably; innovative sustainable business developments and solutions at a time of rapid technological change. A number of the solutions and experiences shared will have a life cycle approach at their heart; for instance the use of consumer information tools, such as labels and certifications, to improve production processes, enhance traceability, and to enable consumers to make informed choices, as well as inspiring behavioural change amongst governments, businesses and consumers.
Activities
As collected through the One Planet Reporting
Output level
Outreach and communication for SCP
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High-level side event held during the fourth UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, March 2019. The event was organised by the Consumer Information and Sustainable Food Systems programmes, in partnership with the governments of Germany and Indonesia, as well as Cruelty Free International and WWF
High-level side event held during the fourth UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, March 2019. The event was organised by the Consumer Information and Sustainable Food Systems programmes, in partnership with the governments of Germany and Indonesia, as well as Cruelty Free International and WWF
Regions
Global / All regions
Lead organization
organised by the Consumer Information and Sustainable Food Systems programmes, in partnership with the governments of Germany and Indonesia, as well as Cruelty Free International and WWF
Objective
1. Highlight the strength of the One Planet Network as a multi-stakeholder platform, with representatives from the Consumer Information and Sustainable Food Systems Programmes presenting specific examples of cross-sector partnerships and innovative solutions that are driving global progression towards SDG 12. As a result of this, aim to encourage stakeholders from the public and private sector, to join and engage as partners of the One Planet Network. 2. Showcase the work of the Consumer Information and Sustainable Food Systems Programmes, and their partners, as examples of innovative sustainable developments and solutions at a time of rapid technological change, working to address some of the major environmental challenges related to climate change and biodiversity, poverty and natural resource management, including sustainable food systems and food security. 3. Showcase examples of meeting growing consumer demand for products and experiences that meet people's desire to live ethically and sustainably.
Achievements
The event kicked off with a speech from H.E. Mr. Soehardjono Sastromihardjo, Ambassador of Indonesia to UN Environment, who called for urgent and desperate solutions for sustainable consumption and production. Highlighting the leading role the Indonesia Government plays within the Consumer Information programme, the Ambassador urged governments to take a cross-societal approach when it came to achieving SDG 12, "we have to change our society, which means changing our lifestyle." The event also saw the official launch of the report "Ready to Drive the Market: Experiences from Road Testing the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information", produced by UN Environment as an output of the One Planet Network Consumer Information programme. Ligia Noronha, Director of UN Environment's Economy Division, highlighted the key role product information has in changing consumer behaviour, showcasing the experiences from leading businesses and standard-setters across the globe who partook in the roadtesting of the Guidelines.Ligia Noronha, Director of UN Environment's Economy Division, highlighted the key role product information has in changing consumer behaviour, showcasing the experiences from leading businesses and standard-setters across the globe who partook in the roadtesting of the Guidelines. One of the roadtesting organisations, Cruelty Free International, who recently joined the Consumer Information programme's Multi-Advisory Committee, then shared their direct experiences of applying these guidelines to their Leaping Bunny certification. Kerry Postlewhite, Director of Public Affairs, highlighted how their certification for cruelty-free products is being used to mobilise businesses and consumers to act more responsibly. In 2018, Cruelty Free International partnered with The Body Shop to create a petition calling for the UN to end cosmetics animal testing worldwide, which received 8.3 million signatures in just over a year, showcasing the demand from consumers for businesses and lawmakers to ensure more responsible production and consumption patterns. Hugh Weldon, one of the UN's Young Champions of the Earth 2018, told a captive audience the story behind the creation of his app, Evocco, where customers can scan their food shopping receipt and gain immediate access to sustainability information regarding the products they've purchased. The app, a new partner of the Consumer Information programme, helps upsell more sustainable brands through vouchers and recommendations, providing numerous opportunities for businesses through sponsored content and access to data on consumer behaviour. One of the main focus and discussion areas for delegates throughout the UN Environment Assembly was the topic of sustainable food systems. Specifically examining how to ensure food systems from the local to the global level were managed in a way that ensured fair access to all whilst also reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, food waste and preventing further biodiversity loss. During the second half of the event, three of the co-leads for the One Planet Network's Sustainable Food Systems programme shared their own examples of innovative solutions that are making food systems more sustainable and efficient worldwide.
Impact and Results
What the Audience will take away with them (3 Key Messages):
1. The One Planet Network is a vibrant and effective multi-stakeholder platform, where actors collaborate together to find innovative solutions to today’s over-consumption and mass production patterns, helping transform these to become more sustainable and reduce the impact societies have on the environment and its resources. Examples featured in the session around consumer information and sustainable food systems will demonstrate the strength of the One Planet Network platform.
2. There is an increasing demand from consumers in countries across the globe for more sustainable and ethical business practices, but too often key product information is not accessible or available. Products and brands are recognising that they need to meet this growing demand and there is increasing positive action within this space, yet radical scaling-up is required to achieve Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) by 2030. Empowering consumers with accessible and reliable information on the sustainability of the products they buy is critical and must be prioritised by governments and businesses.
3. We have the means within our planet to feed a growing population healthily and sustainably, yet this will require urgent action addressing local, national and international food systems. A sustainable food system (SFS) is one that delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social and environmental bases to produce food are not compromised for future generations. Sustainable food systems are critical to food security and nutrition. Creating sustainable food systems must absolutely be a priority for decision makers ahead of 2020, given the multiple interlinkages between SFS and sustainable development, as well as the benefits that taking positive action would have. For example, sustainable food systems are critical for poverty alleviation, building resilient communities, providing food security, nutrition and they play an important role in increasing resource efficiency.
Next steps and how to get involved
Those in Nairobi for the Assembly can attend the event.
Engage online via the Slido app and website (www.sli.do) using the event code #E848