Blog Post

The Post-2015 Agenda & a New Climate Agreement: Building Mutually Reinforcing Process

Kathy Zhang • Feb 12, 2015

On February 10, 2015, SDSN co-hosted an event entitled The Post-2015 Agenda & a New Climate Agreement: Building Mutually Reinforcing Process with The Permanent Mission of Sweden, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Vietnam, and Peru to the UN.

On February 10, 2015, SDSN co-hosted an event entitled  The Post-2015 Agenda & a New Climate Agreement: Building Mutually Reinforcing Process  with The Permanent Mission of Sweden, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Vietnam, and Peru to the UN. Moderated by Minh-Thu Pham, Policy Director at the United Nations Foundation, the presentation featured E. Ms. Isabella Lövin, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director at the Earth Institute and SDSN, Joe Colombano, Economic Advisor in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, and Janos Pasztor, Assistant to the Secretary-General on Climate Change. Over 100 people, including several Permanent Representatives and Mission Representatives, attended the event.

Sachs, who spoke first, emphasized that the three major summits this year – the Financing for Development Conference, SDGs Summit, and COP21 – are all part of the same agenda; and that the climate negotiations and the post-2015 agenda should both support a new global framework for ensuring the sustainable development of future generations. Sachs emphasized the importance of the Paris negotiations as the last chance to agree to uphold the globally agreed upon 2°C limit on anthropogenic warming and highlighted the need for effective climate financing in achieving a zero-carbon economy by 2070.

Lövin spoke to the need for universality of the questions at hand, and emphasized the need for a more holistic approach to economic development and environmental sustainability. She emphasized the need for synergies between climate financing and financing for development, in addition to an inclusive, dignifying approach that involves all stakeholders including government, business, academia, and civil society.

Expanding on points made by previous speakers, Colombano focused on the intersection between the global responsibility to end poverty and the responsibility to combat the adverse effects of increased anthropogenic warming. He noted that, “This generation is the first generation that can really eradicate poverty and the last one that can address the challenges of climate change.”

Lastly, Pasztor spoke about climate and development as “two sides of the same coin.” He added that these issues do not only concern the developing world or the developed world, rather achieving the sustainable development goals and remaining under the 2°C limit for global warming will require engaging with the issue on a local, regional, and international level.

After the panelists fielded questions from the attendants, Pham concluded the discussion by stressing the importance and uniqueness of 2015 as an important political moment for sustainable development, as there is no Planet B.

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PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES Work with SPA leadership to direct work on financing Conduct an analysis of supply chains for key commodities in the Amazon Map of key players in supply chains Build a compendium / database of key financial industry stakeholders in the region Develop an engagement strategy for the finance sector Implement the strategy, including key dialogues, meetings, and events QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE 7-10 years of experience working with or researching international finance institutions An advanced university degree (preferably a Ph.D) in biology, ecology, economics, conservation, sustainable development, or related field. Excellent organizational and project leadership skills. Demonstrated track record of effectively leading a performance-based and outcome-based program. Candidates must have developed and executed strategies that have taken an organization or program to the next stage of impact and growth. They must be skilled in developing strategy. Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a matrixed team environment. Demonstrated experience managing a high-performance team with a deep commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and empowerment. Ability to adapt technical knowledge and complex concepts to products aimed at policymakers. Strong analytical, quantitative, and empirical research skills; and the ability to link findings to public policy analysis and recommendations. Ability to operate with independence, under pressure, and to meet deadlines and commitments. Excellent interpersonal skills requiring knowing when to use courtesy, tact and/or diplomacy to effectively communicate with all constituents. Ability to effectively prioritize and produce high-quality work under time constraints. Ability to demonstrate integrity in deliverables, behavior, and demeanor. Must be fluent in English and either Portuguese or Spanish. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Location: Remote Travel: None. 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Reports to: Emma Torres, Vice President of the Americas SDSN is an Equal Opportunity Employer SDSN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, and physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. APPLICATION PROCESS To apply, please submit a cover letter INCLUDING DAILY RATE OF PAY and a CV on HR Partner at the following link. https://sdsn.hrpartner.io/jobs/finance-consultant--science-panel-for-the-amazon-z2vy5
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