Read the Navigate New Horizons report here.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has adopted a strategic foresight and horizon scanning approach. This method helps UNEP anticipate and address future uncertainties and disruptive changes effectively. Foresight enables better preparation for complex environmental and societal challenges that lie ahead. The foresight initiative strongly aligns with the broader United Nations reform agenda and the Secretary-Generals report titled Our Common Agenda. Both call on UN agencies and member states to engage deeply in foresight practices. These practices are crucial tot managing global systemic risks that threaten planetary health and human wellbeing.
Navigating New Horizons report and its impact
The culmination of this foresight process is a comprehensive report called Navigating New Horizons – A Global Foresight Report on Planetary Health and Human Wellbeing. This report was developed collaboratively by UNEP and the International Science Council. It highlights emerging challenges that could significantly disrupt planetary health and human wellbeing worldwide. The report focuses on eight critical global shifts that exacerbate climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also identifies 18 signals of change, providing valuable insights into potential global disruptions.
The report emphasizes the urgent need for improved decision-making across multiple sectors. This improvement could come through establishing a new social contract, implementing adaptive governance, and enhancing data accessibility. It warns that prioritizing short-term gains over long-term preparedness risks global prosperity and planetary health. At the same time, the report highlights the potential for human ingenuity and innovation to address these pressing crises effectively.
The findings will influence UNEP’s strategic planning. It could possibly shape the next Medium-Term Strategy, and contribute to discussions at the upcoming Summit of the Future, particularly regarding environmental dimensions.
De Ruijter Strategy has been involved with several aspects of the Navigating New Horizons project. We have contributed to the baseline report, the foresight methodology, the trend and scenario research and the clustering of information from questionnaires. Want to learn more about our foresight approach? Please contact us!
