A meeting with Achim Steiner

From diagnostics to solutions

Video seminar with Achim Steiner on Rio, UNEP and how to shorten distance between science and policy

One of the most significant outcomes from the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment was the recommendation to create a UN environmental organisation. This paved the way for the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Fourty years on, UNEP plays a significant role in sponsoring negotiations on major environmental treates.

In April 2012, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner visited the centre to discuss issues related to the upcoming Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, the role of UNEP and how the world must move forward.

Steiner argued that there is a need to "shorten the distance between science and policy". He also called for embedding the "green economy" into the sustainable-development dialogue, and urged not to give up hope yet on Rio+20.

The visit was organised in collaboration with Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).

Short responses from panel members:
Governance: Åsa Persson (SEI)

Green economy: Thomas Hahn (Stockholm Resilience Centre)

Energy and climate in Africa: Francis Johnson (SEI)

The contribution of science — ‘Future Earth´: Johan Rockström (Stockholm Resilience Centre)

Published: 2012-05-23

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