SRI/SSD2024 REPORT
Be the progress towards sustainability
The Event
The Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress (SRI) is an annual gathering, uniting global leaders in research, government, civil society, and business to meaningfully advance progress toward sustainability. As a joint initiative of Future Earth and the Belmont Forum, SRI engages diverse knowledge on sustainability, provides an inspiring platform to share innovative ideas, and creates an inclusive space for collaboration and action.
The fourth edition of SRI, SRI/SSD2024, was organized in collaboration with Finland’s Sustainability Science Days (SSD) from 10-14 June 2024. SSD, Finland’s largest sustainability conference, is convened annually by Aalto University and the University of Helsinki. The SSD collaboration with SRI allowed this combined global audience to connect with programming in both Espoo and Helsinki.
In addition to the Finland program, an African Satellite Event was convened in Durban, South Africa by NRF-South Africa and the Future Earth Africa Hub from 21-24 May, drawing more than 400 attendees.
SRI/SSD2024 Recap:
Reach & Impact
1,932
TOTAL ATTENDEES
973 In-person
165+ Sessions & events
2,567 Engagements with @SRICongress posts
318 Online
441 Africa Satellite Event
2,019,741 Digital impressions of SRI/SSD2024
1,296 Video views
200+ Open Day
20 Sponsors
626 Speakers
Transdisciplinarity defined SRI/SSD2024
SRI/SSD2024 built bridges across generations
Program Highlights
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Exploring
Sustainable
Work Life through Performative Art
Plenary 2, “Job Interview of the Future,” featured a play from ArtSense that explored the expectations and values in today’s worklife, while looking ahead to the workplace’s future transformation. By blending performative art and an expert discussion, this plenary encouraged the audience to find a shared vision in their efforts towards a humanly and ecologically sustainable worklife.
CRA Forests 2024
SRI was proud to host the launch of Belmont Forum Tropical Forests Collaborative Research Action (CRA) - Global Implications and Pressing Actions - a multilateral funding call supported by the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group and led by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). With more than $11M in funding commitments, this CRA aims to coordinate actions and projects with a transdisciplinary approach to address the similar challenges faced in tropical forest regions across the globe.
Congress Opening
SRI/SSD2024 opened with remarks from the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Finland, Kai Mykkänen, who reminded us that researchers and innovators are the backbone of the green transition. Powerful reflections came from plenary speakers President Tarja Halonen, Economist Kate Raworth, and Head of Sustainability at the European Environment Agency Riyong Kim, who discussed the delicate balance between human needs and the well-being of our planet. Watch the opening.
Informing Climate and Biodiversity Research Funders
Future Earth led a global consultation process to identify key gaps and challenges in climate change and biodiversity. The report resulting from this effort was launched at the European Commission’s Helsinki Office during SRI/ SSD2024. Findings in “Towards Sustainable Transformation, Research Priorities in Climate Change and Biodiversity,” will inform the future development of the European Union’s multi-annual research funding program and can be helpful for other research funders around the world. Read the report.
Traditional Finnish Rug Weaving
The all-encompassing breadth of SRI/SSD2024 was perfectly symbolized through a cultural experience in the “Agora” break-out space. Congress attendees wove lines into a traditional Finnish rug replicating the historical global warming trends, ending with a hopeful turn towards a greener (and cooler) future. View the SRI/SSD2024 message.
Indigenous Science and Knowledge
Indigenous Youth, who have led the development of a Global Indigenous Youth Summit on Climate Change, braided together their climate change knowledge and expertise in a plenary addressing “Living on the Frontlines of Change”. Watch the plenary.
Sustainability for Cities
The Sustainable Cities Discussion Forum was a half-day gathering of people motivated to find sustainability solutions to challenges uniquely faced by cities. Centered on the theme “Cities within planetary boundaries - From ambition to action,” participants delved into discussion through two panels and four interactive workshops focused on turning theory into tangible practice. The event was a collaboration with the City of Helsinki and University of Helsinki, held in the beautiful Helsinki City Hall. Mayor of Helsinki, Mr. Juhana Vartiainen, opened the event.
Live Podcast!
The Science for Policy podcast live recorded its 100th episode at SRI/SSD2024, with Congress attendees as its guests. Host Toby Wardman, from the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism, engaged the audience with a wide range of thought-provoking questions. These ranged from practical challenges like avoiding bias and maintaining trust, to more abstract, warm up prompts such as, “how would a dog wear trousers?” Listen to the podcast.
Social Simulation to Power the World
Questions about energy consumption and production are central to the global sustainability transformation. During the “Powering the World” plenary, an interactive policy simulation transported the Congress audience into a near-future energy conflict that required creative solutions. Following the exercise, experts discussed their reflections on key challenges, including the harmonization of a rapid green transition with affordable energy options worldwide. Watch the simulation.
What Brings Me Hope?
SRI/SSD2024 teamed up with Puistokatu 4, a space for science and hope, for an evening event at a beautiful villa located in the historic Kaivopuisto district in Helsinki. Puistokatu 4 brings together different fields of science and ways of knowing. Sustainability researchers of Puistokatu 4 shared personal stories of hope in this intimate and inspiring setting.
Open Day
On Wednesday 12 June 2024, the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress / Sustainability Science Days opened its doors to the local audience in Helsinki and Espoo, while offering Congress participants the opportunity to engage with the community onsite. The Open Day is organized in collaboration with various local and global partners. It celebrates a wide array of sustainability efforts and innovation, increases public awareness of sustainability challenges and solutions, and builds new connections between research and action. The Open Day took place all around the Cities of Helsinki and Espoo, with some activities at the University of Helsinki and Aalto University campuses.
Bringing SRI/SSD2024 to the Finnish Parliament
The Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development and Parliament’s Committee for the Future held their annual seminar on the State and Future of Sustainable Development in Finland. Highlights included the Expert Panel’s policy paper on the welfare state’s future and recognition of top sustainability commitments of Finnish companies and institutions. Honorary speakers included Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for the Future, Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland and Deputy Chair of the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development, as well as Lassi Linnanen, Chair of the Expert Panel for Sustainable Development. The event was held at the Parliament of Finland.
Think Corner’s Pub Quiz
Think Corner was standing room only for the SRI/SSD 2024 Pub Quiz, with teams competing for the title in this sustainability-themed tournament. Attendees explored the lighter side of sustainability collaboration over several rounds of questions at the Think Corner. The enthusiastic response to the merging of science and games, food and friends cements this event as one of the favorites of the week and a possible new SRI repeat event!
Food System Innovation
The Food System Solutions Summit saw a whopping 11 start-ups and scale-ups pitch their innovative ideas for driving forward systems change in the food ecosystem. From an easy-to-access app that connects small scale farmers to local markets, to a plant-based, organic iron supplement to combat Iron Deficiency and Anemia health conditions, a wide range of inspiring concepts were presented. Four winners from today’s Summit will be invited to pitch on the stage of YScience @Slush later this year.
Dinner Under the Sky
“Dinner under the Sky” is an annual tradition in Helsinki that gathers more than a thousand people to eat dinner together right in the city center at a half kilometer long table. The City of Helsinki invited SRI/SSD2024 Congress participants to join. A casual and light program tailored around the topics of civil trust and sense of belonging served as an icebreaker for a relaxed and enjoyable dinner evening.
Africa Satellite Event
The Africa Satellite Event is a groundbreaking convergence of visionaries, researchers, and change-makers dedicated to shaping a sustainable future for Africa and the world. The SRI/SSD 2024 Africa Satellite Event was hosted by the National Research Foundation - South Africa and Future Earth Africa Hub in Durban, South Africa and online around the world from 21-24 May 2024..
The Africa Satellite Event deepened the global perspective of SRI/SSD2024 and made the Congress accessible to a broader audience around the world. It provided an opportunity to spotlight the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities in the face of climate change, environmental degradation, and rapid urbanization.
An array of participants — from leading scientists to grassroots activists — had a front row seat to innovative science and solutions, and transformative discussions that prioritize African leadership and perspectives, including climate justice, digital innovation, and the green and blue economy. Attendees also explored the intersections of science, policy, and community action, with a strong focus on equitable collaboration between the Global North and South.
The Satellite Event event was co-hosted with the local municipality and emphasized supporting and amplifying the voices of early career researchers (ECRs). The ECRs Corner provided a dedicated space for young and early career researchers to discuss opportunities and challenges within a number of thematic areas. Seven special training sessions were targeted at early career researchers.
Reach & Impact
441
TOTAL ATTENDEES
31
Countries represented
30 online
106 Participants recieved travel support
411 In-person
58 Sessions & short presentations
Thank you to our sponsors
“ SRI is becoming an important platform for the different scientific approaches and contributions to sustainability.
“ It was an excellent opportunity to link researchers with policy makers and industry professionals.
“ Very interesting and inspiring workshops. Thank you for this experience!
What our participants said about SRI/SSD2024
“ I thoroughly enjoyed the Congress days, as the atmosphere was innovative, engaging, and friendly. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many forward-thinking individuals and to participate in dynamic discussions.
“ Transdisciplinary and cross-communicational, multiple ways of learning and doing, real and impactful networking.
