Bonn Climate Change Conference // Accelerating climate innovation and technology in the water-energy-food systems for inclusive NDC and NAP implementation

The UNFCCC secretariat in Bonn will hold the thematic dialogue on “accelerating climate innovation and technology in the water-energy-food systems for inclusive NDC and NAP implementation” at the Bonn Climate Change Conference 2023 (SB 58).

Organized by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and with contributions from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this thematic dialogue will shed light on innovative technology practices and solutions related to water-energy-food systems towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The discussions in this session will also inform the future work of the TEC on the topic, including scoping possible thematic focus in the development of a knowledge product in 2024 (please see Activity C.1.1. of the TEC workplan).

Background

In the TEC rolling workplan for 2023–2027, which is part of the joint work programme of the Technology Mechanism, the committee has identified the work on Water-Energy-Food nexus as a key activity under the ‘transformative and innovative solutions’ workstream. The FAO’s office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, building on their rich experience and unique expertise in the agri-food systems, has contributed to the development of this activity through their submission to the TEC call for inputs for the preparation of its new rolling workplan, as well as bilateral engagements with the TEC at SB56 and COP27, in pursuit of closer engagement and collaboration. The TEC has welcomed the interest and contributions of the FAO and agreed to undertake this activity (C.1.1) in close collaboration with FAO.

Objectives

The aim of this dialogue is to bring relevant stakeholders together to discuss innovative technology practices and solutions related to water-energy-food systems. In particular, the dialogue aims to:

• Shed light on relevant adaptation technologies (i.e. indigenous, innovative and digital technologies), with a view to strengthen adaptation planning (NAPs) and NDC ambitions in agri-food systems;
• Inform the future work of the TEC on the topic, including with regard to scoping possible thematic focus in the development of a knowledge product in 2024. This thematic dialogue will contribute to better understanding the options, ways and barriers to achieving progress under SDG 2 and the goals under the Paris Agreement.

This thematic dialogue is a great opportunity for experts, practitioners, policy makers, youth, indigenous and local actors and other relevant stakeholders to exchange knowledge and information and contribute to the collective efforts towards addressing the most pressing challenges facing the water-energy-food nexus.

Date and Location

Date: Thursday, 08 June, 09:00-12:00 (CEST)

Location: Langer Eugen Building, LE 2312, UN Bonn Campus (Germany)

Agenda

09:00 - 09:15 | Opening remarks
Moderator: Mariana Castaño Cano
- Daniele Violetti, Senior Director, UNFCCC (TBC)
- Stig Svenningsen, Chair, TEC
- Zitouni Ould-dada, Deputy Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO

09:15 - 09:30 | Scene-setting: The role of innovation and technology in improving food security and promoting integrated solutions in Water-Food-Energy systems for implementation of NDCs and NAPs
- Irene Sander, Head of the Nexus Regional Dialogues Programme, GIZ

09:30 - 09:45 | Voices from Indigenous Peoples and Youth: Technologies and innovation for inclusive transformation of agrifood systems – good examples from indigenous peoples’ knowledge, local practices, and youth-led solutions
- Grace Balawag, Facilitative Working Group (FWG) of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), UNFCCC
- Glindys Virginia Luciano, Strategic Partnerships and Network Engagement Manager, YPARD

09:45 - 10:25 | Expert Panel 1: Identifying transformative climate innovations and adaptation technologies in the water-energy-food nexus with strong mitigation and SDG co-benefits
- Giriraj Amarnath, CGIAR Research Group Leader on the water-food systems nexus, CGIAR
- Tounao Kiri, Deputy Director, L’Institut de la Francophonie pour le développement durable (IFDD)
- Esther Makabe, Capacity Development Coordinator, GEO Global Agriculture Monitoring Initiative (GEOGLAM)
- Hila Cohen, Chief of Staff & Head of Business Development WFP Innovation Accelerator

10:25 - 11:05 | Expert Panel 2: Accelerating the implementation and scaling up of technology solutions and innovation in water-energy-food systems
- Alyssa Maria Gomez, Climate Change Specialist, Adaptation Fund
- Buddhi Marambe, Senior Professor, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Carol Franco, Nature-based Solutions Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Dominican Republic
- Eunice Ramos, Energy Systems Analyst and Resource Nexus Expert, Delft University of Technology

11:05 - 11:10 | Break

11:10 - 11:50 | Interactive Discussion: How can we transform water-energy-food systems more inclusive and sustainable?
Moderator - Zitouni Ould-Dada, Deputy Director, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO

11:50 - 12:00 | Wrap up & Closing
Light lunch to be served after the event

Further Information and registration

More information about the event is available on the event webpage, and a livestream will be made available for those following online.

Please register for the event via this link and feel free to extend this invitation to other interested experts and learners in your networks.

For inquiries, please write to tec@unfccc.int.

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