Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) launches new report

Hosting two related events during the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week NYC 2019

Published on: Sep 23, 2019 | Written by: Aymori Duncan

WHAT: The Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) is publishing a new report, #DigitalWithPurpose-Delivering a SMARter2030, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Climate Week NYC 2019. This report done by Deloitte identifies and quantifies the ways in which digital technologies, both established and cutting edge, are capable of delivering transformative impact against each of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while also exploring where these technologies can have a negative impact. The report – which draws on input from academics, key international NGOs and over 500 use cases – also provides specific recommendations and actions for all who are committed to taking on the 2030 Agenda and helping move the world onto a sustainable path.

There will be two events hosted during UNGA and Climate Week NYC 2019 to support the launch of the report and discuss key findings. The following events are targeted at leaders who support the broader SDG agenda, have strong views on how technology can support this agenda, and will enjoy a challenging debate.

Thursday, September 26 (11am-1pm): GeSI and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) will host a launch event to share the Report’s compelling findings, featuring presentations from global leaders addressing the climate crisis and advancing the SDGs; and providing use cases from Digital Industry leaders, among others. The event will be followed by a networking lunch.
Friday, September 27 (8:30-10:30am): Deloitte and GeSI will host a breakfast discussion to go over key findings and recommendations from the report, followed by a panel discussion.

WHO:

GeSI and ICC event: Keynotes and panelists:

Jeffrey Sachs, American economist, academic, public policy analyst and former director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University
Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
John W.H. Denton AO, Secretary General at International Chamber of Commerce
Jim Gowen, VP Global Supply Chain / Chief Sustainability Officer at Verizon
Sam Baker, Partner, Monitor Deloitte
Lise Fuhr, Managing Director, ETNO
Dr. Harald Rauter, Head of Emerging Disruptive Technology Experimentation, Climate-KIC
Dirk Messner, Director, United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security
[Google representative TBC]
Luis Neves, CEO, GeSI
Jill Huntley, Global Managing Director, Accenture
Carol Anderson, Vice President – International External and Regulatory Affairs, AT&T
Brigitta Witt, VP of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, T-Mobile US
Veerle Vandeweerd, Former Director Environment and Energy of UNDP / Director Policy G-STIC

GeSI and Deloitte event: Panelists and speakers:

James Gowen, Chair of GeSI; and VP Global Supply Chain / Chief Sustainability Officer at Verizon
Sam Baker, Partner, Monitor Deloitte
Dr. Harald Rauter, Head of Emerging Disruptive Technology Experimentation, Climate-KIC
Lise Fuhr, Director General, ETNO
Tim Fleming, Director of Enterprise Sustainability, AT&T/ GeSI Board
Wade Warren, Chief Strategy Officer for International Development, Deloitte Consulting
Zoe Knight, Managing Director, Group Head of HSBC’s Centre of Sustainable Finance
Luis Neves, CEO, GeSI

WHEN:

GeSI and ICC event:

Thursday, September 26, 2019

11am – 1 pm ET (followed by a networking lunch)

CONVENE 530 5th Avenue (between 44th and 45th Streets)

New York, NY 10026

Deloitte and GeSI event:

Friday, September 27, 2019

8:30 – 10:30 am ET (breakfast)

Deloitte Offices

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

WHY: On its current trajectory, the world will be unable to deliver the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Our biosphere is under threat from rising carbon emissions, our society sees persistent inequality and lack of access to basic services, and our economy continues to drive the unsustainable consumption of natural resources.

Digital technologies could have a transformational impact on our ability to meet the 2030 Agenda. This, however, requires both the ICT sector and the key sectors (or ‘partner sectors’) who deploy these technologies to put this Agenda more intentionally at the center of who they are and what they do. It also requires a substantially enhanced understanding of how actions lead to impact on the achievement of the SDGs, be they the actions of government, businesses, NGOs or citizens.

The #DigitalWithPurpose report and corresponding events will provide specific recommendations and actions for all who are committed to taking on the 2030 Agenda and helping move the world onto a sustainable path.

CONTACTS:

To RSVP to the GeSI and ICC event: tiny.cc/iccgesi

To RSVP to the Deloitte and GeSI event: tiny.cc/deloittegesi

For general inquiries about the #DigitalWithPurpose-Delivering a Smarter2030 report: