2023 Sustainability Year in Review
INTRO
Coming off the monumental adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework in December 2022, the beginning of 2023 experienced a bit of a slow start but overall the year did end up delivering some important outcomes for sustainability.
MARCH - IPCC Synthesis Reports
In March, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its sixth assessment synthesis report. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this process, effectively every 6-7 years the IPCC does an update on the latest scientific findings related to climate change. They are released in three separate editions focused on different climate aspects and then synthesized into one overall report. Because we had already seen the three lead-up reports in 2021 and 2022 there were no huge surprises in the report. While the warnings in the report were stark, there were some bright spots and reasons for hope. The report made it clear that human activity is causing climate change and we have already reached a warming of 1.1C and are experiencing widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere. On the positive side, climate mitigation and adaptation policies and programs have expanded greatly in the last 10 years but there is still a long way to go, it is essential we meet net zero by mid-century.
MARCH/JUNE - Treaty of the High Seas
Another big milestone that was reached in March, after over a decade of negotiation, was the agreement on the terms of a landmark Treaty on the High Seas. The treaty is key to protecting life in the high seas, which is increasingly under threat from pollution, climate change, and overfishing. Among other things, it will allow for the creation of marine protected areas – safe havens for fish, plants, and other vulnerable species (UNEP). The agreement was adopted by the United Nations in June and at the UN General Assembly in September 67 countries officially signed onto the treaty, now the total number of signatories sits at 84 (High Seas Alliance)
MAY - Beyond GDP and Growth
In May, there were two interesting things that flew under the radar but that kind of laid the groundwork for challenging the very basis of our economic system. First, the Secretary General of the United Nations released a policy brief titled “Valuing What Counts: Framework to Progress Beyond Gross Domestic Product” where he notes the limits of GDP as the sole or primary measure of development and asks countries to help create proposals for universal and comprehensive measurement of progress and sustainable development to complement GDP. In addition, the EU held its first-ever Beyond Growth conference that had an open dialogue about what the economic system would look like without the paradigm of growth that we currently operate under. This points to a broader trend and discussion about the capitalist structures that drive our global economic systems and how they need to be rethought to put the equity of people and the protection of the planet at the center. While topics like post-growth and rethinking GDP have mostly been relegated to activist and academic circles, we are now seeing these discussions come into the mainstream.
MAY/JUNE - Plastics Negotiations Continue
At the very end of May and the beginning of June the second session of the plastics treaty negotiation was held in France and a third session was held in November in Kenya. Plastics are ubiquitous and one of the largest contributors to pollution on the planet so the development of this treaty is high anticipated, and somewhat contentious. The objective of the global plastics treaty is to set global framework of standards around accountability, responsibilities, financing, material/chemical standards, import/export restrictions, targets. (Plastics Ocean) The final agreement is expected by the end of 2024.
JUNE - New World Bank President
At the very beginning of June, the World Bank appointed a new President - Ajay Banga (World Bank). This choice has been welcomed after former World Bank Chief, David Malpass, who was a Trump appointee, made some questionable comments on climate change. Banga had a decorated private sector career and holds a great deal of credibility with both developed and developing countries being born in India but naturalized American.
JUNE - Montana Climate Case Victory
In June, we also saw the first in-court climate victory for young people in the United States. A Montana state court sided with young people who sued the state for promoting the fossil fuel industry through its energy policy, which they alleged prohibits Montana from weighing greenhouse gas emissions in approving the development of new factories and power plants, which in turn violates their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. This case is similar to others seen in Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand (Climate Change News) and created important legal precedent for how courts can hold states accountable for climate inaction (Arstechnica)
SEPTEMBER - UNGA and SDG Summit
Every September the UN General Assembly takes place in New York but this year had a particular sustainability spin as the SDG Summit was held as part of UNGA. That is because 2023 marked the halfway point for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals - meaning that the 2023 Agenda was adopted in September 2015 and is set to be achieved by September 2030 so we are halfway there. The Summit called for increased action because a mere 12% of targets are on track, and progress on 30% of goals has stalled or reversed (CFR). In addition, this year’s SDG Summit was seen as a stepping stone to 2024 when the Secretary General will convene the Summit of the Future. This Summit aims to develop a Pact for the Future, comprising five chapters on sustainable development and financing for development; international peace and security; science, technology, and innovation and digital cooperation; youth and future generations; and transforming global governance (UN).
SEPTEMBER - Global Framework on Chemicals and Waste Management
At the very end of September in Bonn, a comprehensive global framework on chemicals and waste management was reached. The framework outlines a roadmap for countries and stakeholders to collaboratively address the lifecycle of chemicals, including products and waste (UNEP). The framework also calls for the prevention of the illegal trade and trafficking of chemicals and waste, the implementation of national legal frameworks, the phase-out by 2035 of highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture, a call for a transition to safer and more sustainable chemical alternatives, the responsible management of chemicals in various sectors, and the enhancement of transparency and access to information regarding chemicals and their associated risks.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER - COP28
As is the case every year, the Climate Conference of the Parties took place in November and December to close out the year. COP28 made headlines when negotiations went into overtime as nations duked it out over the wording around fossil fuel phase-out (UNFCCC). In the end, there were a few key outcomes including a Loss and Damage Fund which was set up to support developing countries that are already suffering from the effects of climate change, with $700M being pledged to the fund. This was seen as good progress but short of the overall funding needed to address loss and damage. The first global stocktake outcome had the first-ever direct mention of reducing fossil fuel use in the Paris Agreement, the exact text calls for “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner” This was a win for many and a failure for others who were hoping to see the term “phase out.” In addition, leaders agreed to ratchet up climate action before the end of the decade to keep the global temperature limit of 1.5°C within reach. And finally, there was the launch of a $30 billion private market climate capital fund, aimed at mobilizing private sector investment in low-carbon and climate-resilient projects, especially in emerging and developing economies (DFGE).
DECEMBER - Hottest Year on Record
And finally, we ended the year with a rather bleak announcement that 2023 is officially the hottest year ever on record. Earth’s average land and ocean surface temperature in 2023 was 1.18C above the 20th century and the 10 warmest years since 1850 have all occurred in the past decade (NOAA). In addition, Antarctic sea ice coverage dropped to a record low. This, unfortunately, is a bit of a sad note to end the year on but only further underscores the need for rapid action by policymakers, businesses, and citizens across the globe.
Keep Learning
Here are a few great resources for further reading and learning: