This reflects growing interest in and demand for foresight, reinforced by the UN reform agenda and the Secretary-General’s report on “Our Common Challenge”, which calls on UN Member States as well as all UN agencies to engage more deeply in foresight practice and apply the insights gained from it to addressing global systemic risks.
This process culminated in the preparation of this report.“Breaking New Horizons – Global Prospects Report on Planetary Health and Human Well-Being”The report, produced by UNEP in collaboration with the International Council for Science, calls on the world to pay attention to and respond to a range of emerging challenges that could threaten the health and wellbeing of the planet. The report offers insights into eight key global changes that are accelerating three global crises: climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste.
Identified by hundreds of global experts and distilled through regional and stakeholder consultations, including with young people, the 18 signs of change offer a glimpse of potential disruptions, both positive and negative, that the world needs to watch closely. The report outlines how crafting a new social contract, embracing agile and adaptive governance, and increasing integrated and accessible data and knowledge can create an enabling environment for better decision-making.
The report is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness and fragility of our systems in the 21st century, and warns that prioritizing short-term gains over proactive action and preparation puts long-term prosperity and the health of the planet at risk. But it also points out that solutions to the triple crises can be delivered through enormous potential and human ingenuity, harnessed in a spirit of discovery and collaboration.
The findings of this report will be integrated into UNEP’s strategic plan and may influence the next UNEP MTS, providing an opportunity to consider expanding the programme in areas such as artificial intelligence, new technologies and agricultural robotics, and stimulating discussions on the level of engagement on these issues. This will ultimately help UNEP adopt a proactive stance and modernise its tools for efficiency and cost reduction.
Furthermore, the report will be UNEP’s contribution to the Future Summit. It is not expected to have a substantive impact on the Future Summit itself, but will serve to inform preparatory discussions and events, including the High-Level Political Forum in the lead-up to the Future Summit, in relation to environmental dimensions.
