SGES 2024: The conflicts lurking behind the many good intentions

Wars, climate change, loss of biodiversity, but also more sustainability and impact: these keywords were omnipresent at this year's SGES. The global problems that need to be solved are enormous and time seems to be gradually running out. The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals are still a guideline for political, economic and social players, but there are also more and more sources of conflict when it comes to implementation. The vote on the biodiversity initiative on September 22, 2024 is just one such example. Opponents, such as the agricultural sector, and proponents from scientific and nature conservation circles are outbidding each other with arguments for and against. In a panel discussion, Prof. Dr. Michael Schaepman from the University of Zurich pointed out another example of a (possible) conflict behind the biodiversity debate: The agricultural plant maize, for example, is not native, but is nevertheless considered non-invasive, in contrast to cherry laurel, for example, which has now been banned from sale as a garden plant. Banning maize, on the other hand, would probably not occur to anyone...

Focusing even more on biodiversity

The topic of biodiversity provided new aspects at SGES 2024. It was shown that climate protection and biodiversity should not be viewed in isolation from one another. Marco Lambertini from the Nature Positive Initiative called for a move away from "Net Zero" towards "Net Positive". Like carbon neutrality, his initiative is based on a time-bound target for nature to halt and reverse species loss in order to support climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals. Stewart Maginnis from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) placed particular responsibility on countries such as Switzerland: despite their efforts to preserve biodiversity in their own country, the global footprint remains large. According to the panel participants, a change in mindset is needed and the focus must be placed even more on nature. However, we first need to better understand the impact that humans have on biodiversity and, based on this, develop a plan to manage this impact. This may well raise the question for the outsider observer: Do we still have the time? And what conflicts do we have to accept? After all, it was also pointed out in the discussion that every regulation always has consequences that can lead to inequalities in society.

Tools for the 2030 Agenda

Switzerland, which likes to see itself as a role model when it comes to respecting human rights or protecting nature, is not where it should be on the path to achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. This was demonstrated by Daniel Dubas, Federal Council delegate for the 2030 Agenda: "The direction is right, but the speed is not," he said. Although progress has been made in the fight against poverty, other goals have stagnated or even regressed, Dubas continued. However, the Federal Council is continuing to pursue the priorities of sustainable consumption, biodiversity and equal opportunities. Daniel Dubas also pointed out the important role of business. In order to help companies implement the 2030 Agenda, the Federal Office for Spatial Development and its partners have developed a toolbox (https://toolbox-agenda2030.ch/de/) was developed. This was launched in 2023 and aims to share existing knowledge among companies. It is primarily aimed at companies that specifically want to do more for climate protection but are only just starting out.

Circular economy: Accepted, but much remains to be done

SGES 2024 also addressed the topic of the circular economy, for example in connection with the recycling of batteries from electric vehicles. Julian Proelss from BASF calculated that electric vehicles - viewed over their entire life cycle - emit 70 percent less CO2 than combustion engines. However, batteries in particular are big "CO2 guzzlers" during production because they require a lot of metals that are expensive to mine. According to Proelss, recycling these materials would reduce the CO2 footprint by 60 percent. The subsequent panel discussion with National Councillor Matthias Jauslin, Rahel Galliker (Deputy Director FOEN), Pia Guggenbühl (scienceindustries industry association) and Esther Laabs (WWF Germany) showed that the circular economy is generally not very controversial. According to a study commissioned by the FOEN and Seco, there are various pioneering companies in the circular economy among Swiss companies. However, the majority of companies are only at the beginning in this respect. Pia Guggenbühl: "A new era is underway" - if only because of the economic pressure resulting from dwindling resources. And is there also regulatory pressure? Yes, because the EU is currently introducing a new Circular Economy Act. Julian Proelss regrets, however, that many of the regulations contain technically unrealistic requirements. This makes dialog between the stakeholders all the more important, according to the unanimous opinion of the panel participants. "Protecting the environment and benefiting customers should not be mutually exclusive," was Matthias Jauslin's opinion on the frequently emerging conflicts of objectives.

Supply chains: it doesn't work without partnerships

The issue of more sustainable supply chains is also a source of conflict. The example of Pacific Jeans from Bangladesh, wrapped up in plenty of PR, showed that textile production can be ecological, socially responsible and economical at the same time. The company supplies various well-known clothing brands, which for their part are increasingly interested in offering sustainably produced textiles to local customers. Transparency along the supply chain is a key factor today. However, there are also problems, as Fabian Waldmeier from Max Havelaar Switzerland pointed out: many small coffee farmers find it difficult to meet the ever-increasing requirements and run the risk of no longer being considered as suppliers. An inclusive implementation of new regulations is therefore required. And it is also important to make such challenges transparent. Supplier audits also ensure transparency. Pierre Strub from amfori Switzerland, a trade association that promotes sustainable supply chains, pointed out that these should also be shared more widely in order to avoid duplication. Here, too, the conclusion of the discussion was clear: You can't do it without strong partnerships, and sustainability doesn't come for free. However, this remains a major area of conflict for the time being: not all consumers are yet prepared to pay this price - or they are not even in a position to do so.

SGES 2024 shows the many facets of the green economy

In the 17 innovation forums and at the stands of the more than 20 exhibiting organizations, many questions that could only be "touched on" at the main event were discussed in depth. Among other things, the focus was explicitly on climate protection in SMEs and how they can better convince their employees and suppliers of this. The construction industry was also a focal point. On Thursday, August 29, the focus was on the topics of "Healthy and sustainable building and living" and carbon capture processes, i.e. the binding of CO2 in cement, for example. The construction industry in particular has great potential for the circular economy. However, logistics, the food sector and mobility were also the subject of lively discussions in a "small circle".

Overall, the SGES 2024 was once again able to show that the "green economy" has many facets, but that it is not always easy to understand their interrelationships. This is why there is still a lot of potential for conflict between different stakeholder groups and particular interests. Resolving these - together - remains a major goal.

More information: www.sges.ch