Agenda 2030, COP27 and COP15: challenges and targets

The Agenda 2030 is a framework now widely known around the world as the global action plan adopted by the United Nations in 2015 in response to a number of urgent and interconnected global challenges. The objective of the 2030 Agenda is to create an action plan to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all through goals and targets that the countries of the world commit to achieve by 2030. The 2030 Agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals, more commonly called SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals. These goals cover a wide range of socio-economic and environmental issues such as the fight against poverty and food insecurity, the promotion of health and well-being, access to quality education, and gender equality.

The Agenda 2030 recognises climate change as one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity. In this respect, it is the Conference of the Parties (also known as COP) to the UN Framework Agreement on Climate Change that is leading the international action to combat climate change. It is an important platform for global dialogue and action, where countries come together annually to negotiate and make crucial decisions to address the climate emergency. As early as 1993 during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) the need to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere was recognised in order to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system. The first COP, known as COP1 on climate was held in 1995.

After COP1, in 1997 the COP3 was held in Kyoto, Japan: during this conference the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, an international agreement that set binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for industrialised countries. However, it was the 2015 Paris Agreement (COP21) that marked a turning point. The Agreement, signed by 195 countries, sets the goal of limiting the global average temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In line with the Paris Agreement, the EU has committed to reduce its emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The EU's ultimate goal is to become the first climate neutral economy and society by 2050. The last COP, the COP27 took place in Sharm el Sheik in 2022.

The United Nations Conference on Biodiversity - COP15 - took place in Montréal, Canada, from 7 to 19 December 2022 and was attended by 195 countries. COP15 concluded with the Kunming-Montreal Agreement, which set global goals to protect and restore nature for current and future generations, ensure its sustainable use and stimulate investments for a global green economy. The agreement included a monitoring, reporting and review system to track progress, complemented by a clear resource mobilisation package.

The twenty-seventh UN World Climate Conference (COP27) took place in November 2022 in Egypt with over 125 participants. Among the topics discussed was the progress of what was defined at COP26 to keep the global warming increase to 1.5°C and to accelerate the path towards reduction of emissions. The most debated topic was the compensation for the countries most exposed to climate change damage: at the end of the conference it was decided to set up a global fund, the "Loss and Damage", with the aim of compensating the countries most exposed to climate change and its environmental damage. However, no concrete commitments were signed at COP27 to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in order to prevent the 1.5°C average temperature increase threshold from being exceeded. In fact, the final text only contains a 'call' to mitigate emissions by 45% by 2030.

What results have been achieved at international and European level on the topic of climate change and biodiversity protection? Where do we need to focus more efforts in the future? To answer these questions, and more, we have launched the project Pills from the Oasis: 3Bee's Digital Academy for Sustainability Professionals, realised in cooperation with Neutralia and Italian Tech Academy. A course composed of 12 modules dedicated to training on topics related to business sustainability, with the involvement of 23 experts from the world of research, innovation, business and finance. An opportunity not only for training, but to join an exclusive community to receive monthly updates on the latest news from the world of sustainability. Do you want to make your commitment to environmental protection tangible and ensure the best training for your employees?