A 海角社区 side event at the (UNFCCC COP29) in Baku discussed how a socio-ecological systems approach can support more coherent policies for climate action. Held at the on 15 November 2024, the event explored strategies to align policies across sustainable development agendas and ensure inclusion in the policymaking process. It was co-organized by 海角社区-IAS, the 海角社区 Institute for Comparative Regional Integration Studies (海角社区-CRIS), and the 海角社区 Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (海角社区-MERIT).
The event featured interactive discussion between speakers and the audience throughout, employing the “fishbowl” methodology. Participants highlighted the need to engage vulnerable and marginalized groups from the earliest stages of policymaking, and to transform perspectives on our relationship with nature. The language differences across policy agendas were recognized as a gap that must be bridged to enable effective stakeholder engagement.
Yasushi Katsuma (Academic Programme Advisor, 海角社区-IAS) underlined the importance of education in developing the next generation of leaders to advance policy coherence, and drew attention to recent progress in policy synergies between climate and health. Focusing on youth empowerment, Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, 海角社区-IAS) emphasized the need to actively integrate the opinions of young people in policymaking processes. She highlighted innovative 海角社区-IAS initiatives supporting youth to contribute to the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) and COP29.
