Background

The WSIS Geneva Plan of Action defined three goals for Action Line C7. E-environment:

• Use and promote ICTs as an instrument for environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources;
• Initiate actions and implement projects and programs for sustainable production and consumption and the environmentally safe disposal and recycling of discarded hardware and components used in ICTs; and
• Establish monitoring systems, using ICTs, to forecast and monitor the impact of natural and man-made disasters, particularly in developing countries, LDCs and small economies.
   

In follow up to the outcomes of the UN General Assembly Overall Review of the Implementation of WSIS Outcomes (Res. A/70/125) and with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Res. A/70/1), the WSIS Forum is constantly evolving and strengthening the alignment between the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals.

As the WSIS Forum serves as a key forum for discussing the role of ICTs as a facilitator in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and remain as a global mechanism for follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UNGA Resolution A/70/1).

As the WSIS process continues to be a platform for sharing and caring, the action line facilitation meeting for AL C-7 e-Environment will discuss contribution that ICTs make to achieve a sustainable environment and sustainable development goals. While we are looking for solutions and benefits there are new elements, challenges and considerations that should be incorporated into WSIS forum. The facilitation meeting for Action Line C7, e-environment will be a roundtable discussion among key stakeholders involved in the implementation of this action line along with experts from the sustainability community.

The discussion will be centered on the following questions:

1. Climate Service Information System, an integrated solution for leveraging climate science and ICT for improving climate data, monitoring and prediction.
2. Importance of Early Warning Systems in dealing with Disaster Risk Reduction, what new role to be played by ICT in this regards?
3. How can we improve the data sharing and processing of data to inform environment policies?
4. How to benefit from ICT to empower nations to attain Sustainable Development Goals in particular SDG6 on Water, SDG12 on responsible production and consumption, SDG13 on Climate Change, SDG14 on Ocean and SDG15 on biodiversity?
5. Why being a Party to the Basel Convention matters for e-waste management?
6. What policies and tools for e-waste management should be considered?
7. How to contribute to the attainment of targets and goals related to e-waste management?
8. What initiatives, frameworks and projects/activities are there that should be considered for promoting easier access to the existing funds for sustainable environment?

Proposed Format:

• Introduction to the meeting. Presentation of objectives of the meeting by action line facilitator (WMO, ITU, UNEP/Basel Convention Secretariat, and other present participants).
• E-environment @ WSIS Forum 2017. Highlights of upcoming sessions to be held during WSIS Forum 2017 on e-environment.
• Open debate on “Environment, an important pillar to building a sustainable future” – achieving SDG targets, moderated discussion;
• Conclusions and next steps: definition of recommendation on this action line for the future process and its role for WSIS process.