12 July 2019: On the sidelines of the 2019 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), a side event addressed the need to strengthen the science-policy interface (SPI) to integrate climate change, resilience and the SDGs.

The event, organized by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), shared recommendations on integrating climate change provisions from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and the SDGs by strengthening the SPI.

The event highlighted that: leveraging synergies and avoiding trade-offs between climate action and development priorities can help limit global warming, as underscored in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15); knowledge co-creation can enhance science-policy dialogues and should also include local communities; and improved communication and coordination are critical for strengthening the SPI and combating climate change.

During the event, Kazuhiko Takeuchi, IGES, explained that Japan’s Fifth Basic Environment Plan advances a low-carbon, self-reliant and decentralized society based on living in harmony with nature, while reinforcing such concepts as the circular economy.

Heide Hackmann, International Science Council, urged scientists to “keep pushing” for integrating the natural and social sciences.

Lynn Wagner, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), suggested that decisions related to the “how, who and what” of the science-policy interface — the credibility, legitimacy and salience — should be evaluated with a “2030 Agenda lens.”

Pungkas B. Ali, Indonesia, discussed the ways in which his country is increasing energy efficiency, while reducing emissions and minimizing extreme poverty.

Jamil Ahmad, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), underscored the UN’s focus on coordination in its support of SDG implementation.

Panelists and participants also called for: enhanced partnerships, emphasizing the role of academia and citizens in achieving the SDGs; including community leaders and democratic processes when trying to bridge science-policy gaps; and reviewing and strengthening incentives for effective SPI.

IISD Reporting Services is covering selected side events during the 2019 HLPF. [IISD RS Coverage of the Side Event] [IGES Website]