Opportunities and Challenges in the Era of Polycrisis | December 13, 2022

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Opportunities and Challenges in the Era of Polycrisis We are living through a new era of ‘polycrisis’ and uncertainty: A climate emergency. The socio-economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest levels of conflict since WWII. One hundred million displaced people. A rising cost of living. The war in Ukraine. Despite this uncertainty, the future of people and the planet is not predetermined. The world’s population will pass the eight billion mark for the first time in November 2022. It is a moment to reflect on the remarkable development and progress our global community has made – from lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty to expanding access to quality healthcare and education. If we have the power to create a new geological era- the age of humans- then we can harness humanity’s immense collective power to slow the climate emergency in its tracks, the defining challenge of our times. Mr. Achim Steiner will explore what CoP27 achieved and critically analyze if it is enough. He will attempt to define what “leave no one behind” means and outline the opportunities and challenges in our complex and ambiguous environment. Finally, he will discuss a framework of potential pathways for a new form of development through decarbonization and review why the United Nations, including UNDP, still must achieve these overarching objectives. Moderator: Leslie Woo, CEO, CivicAction Speaker: Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Program *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*