Recording
Organizers
The session was organized by United Nations University's Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and ICLEI- Local Government for Sustainability
Background
The closing panel discussion wrapped up the CapaCITIES event by sharing reflections and key takeaways from the previous sessions and providing insights and recommendations for the participants to apply in their own contexts. The panel also addressed some of the questions and comments from the audience and engaged in a lively and interactive dialogue.
The dialogue featured distinguished speakers who are leaders in their fields and organizations, possessing extensive experience and expertise in climate and sustainability innovation. The discussion was moderated by Simone Sandholz, Head of the Urban Futures and Sustainability Transformation (FAST) Programme at UNU-EHS, and Pourya Salehi, Head of ICLEI’s Urban Research, Innovation, and Development Team at ICLEI World Secretariat. Together, they guided the panel discussion and audience interaction, providing their reflections and takeaways from the day-long event.
The dialogue served as an opportunity to learn from the speakers, exchange ideas and experiences, and ensure that the outcomes of CapaCITIES inspired and informed actions for climate and sustainability innovation in cities worldwide.
Objectives
- To collate and present the significant insights and takeaways from the earlier sessions of the CapaCITIES event.
- To offer a comprehensive overview of the discussions and findings shared throughout the day.
- To give participants actionable recommendations and strategies to implement in their respective urban contexts.
- To translate the day's discussions into practical steps for urban climate and sustainability innovation.
- To address questions and comments from the audience, fostering a dynamic and interactive dialogue.
- To encourage audience participation in the discourse, enhancing the session's relevance and applicability.
- To gain insights from the experiences and expertise of distinguished speakers in the fields of climate and sustainability.
- To provide a platform for experts to share their knowledge and perspectives with a broader audience.
Structure
| Time |
Segment & Speakers |
| 10 mins |
Welcome and summary – key messages from the CapaCITIES day
Speakers:
-
Pourya Salehi, Head of Urban Research, Innovation, and Development Department at ICLEI
-
Simone Sandholz, Head of Urban Futures & Sustainability Transformation Division, UNU-EHS
|
| |
High-level discussion, giving statements around CapaCITIES available & needed, from different perspectives and subsequent discussion
Speakers:
-
Xiaomeng Shen, Director, UNU-EHS – perspective from education & research
-
Emani Kumar, Deputy Secretary General and Executive Director of South Asia Secretariat, ICLEI – perspective from global city network & value of such networks between cities
-
Katja Dörner, Lady Mayor, Bonn, Germany – local implementation perspective
-
IPCC representative (tbc) – global research and policy perspective, pointing at next IPCC special report
-
Patricia Espinosa (tbc) - CEO, onepoint5 - global climate advocacy perspective
-
Dennis Pamlin, Executive Director, Net-Zero Compatibility Initiative, Mission Innovation – perspective on the need for capacity building on the role and goals cities can define in the context of an Expanded Climate & Innovation Agenda
-
Massamba Thioye, Project Executive UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub at UN Climate Change Secretariat -
-
Representative from the German Federal Ministry for the Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) (tbc)
|
Key Outcomes
- Panelists highlighted their practical experiences from cities worldwide and agreed that bringing citizens on board and strengthening community action including by active support from local governments is key.
- With respect to climate policy and finance panelists critically reflected on the need to further accelerate critical transitions including in the fields of energy and transport, and to convince policy-makers doing this in a holistic approach that considers the demands of different population groups - which would be another field of building capacities to develop broader solution packages.
- The session concluded by agreeing on the need to come up with a broad yet feasible urban innovation agenda, which can be informed by examples from global frontrunner cities.
