Sustainable Development Impact Summit 23—24 September 2019 (World Economic Forum)

With only 11 years left to avert climate change, how can leaders propel action to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees and meet 2020 targets?

How can leaders embrace new mindsets, business models and technologies to drive social innovation and accelerate sustainable development outcomes?

Air pollution is a clear and urgent danger to public health. Outdoor air pollution is responsible for 4.2 million deaths – more than from malaria and HIV/Aids combined, and more than 90 percent of the world’s population lives in areas that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for ambient air quality. But while governments, cities and communities around the world are seeking to address the air pollution crisis, businesses are largely missing from the picture. This session features the launch of the Clean Air Fund and will tackle the role business can play in addressing air pollution.

Given the urgency, scale and complexity of what is needed to nourish nearly 10 billion people by 2050 without destroying the planet, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement, an unprecedented degree of cooperation will be required.

The Food Action Alliance introduces the next generation of partnerships to deliver better, faster, and at scale on food security and nutrition, inclusive growth and decent jobs, environmental sustainability and climate resilience, in line with the 2030 Agenda.

With rising international concern regarding deforestation, Colombian President Iván Duque will discuss the region’s efforts and challenges in the Amazon Basin, as well as the ongoing dialogue to ensure a sustainable future for the Amazon.

Battery technology will enable the transport and power sectors to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030, on track to meet the Paris Agreement goal of 2°C. How can partnerships accelerate a battery revolution to create 10 million jobs, add $150 billion to the global economy and provide electricity to 600 million people?

The Global Battery Alliance announces a pledge for action, backed by 60 organizations, towards the implementation of climate-change mitigation and sustainable development measures.

Every day, new citizens’ movements are forming that challenge the status quo. How can leaders across sectors advance solutions to make economies and society more equitable?

Today, the ocean is under immense pressure notably due to climate change, pollution and overexploitation, with declining biodiversity as a result. Saving the marine ecosystems will require innovative policies, good governance, technology, research and new business solutions, based on sound scientific data. Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Norway will use technology to tackle the biggest threats facing our oceans and promote a sustainable blue economy. This livestreamed press conferences announces the new Centre, bringing together heads of state and leaders within the business and civil society communities to discuss its first project areas. Collaborating with the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, the Aker Group and the Government of Norway, the new Centre will use tools ranging from artificial intelligence to blockchain accelerate the application of science and technology in the public interest.

The Schwab Foundation announces the 2019 Social Innovators of the Year.

Measurements of productivity and economic growth are meaningless so long as human prosperity, natural capital health and community resilience go unfulfilled. What will it take to redesign today’s economic models to deliver long-term value?