International Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC)
On 7 and 8 October, the United Nations, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the City of Hamburg brought together high-profile guests from politics, business, research and civil society for the first time at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference to strengthen the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). corsus was also invited and represented by Christina Mumm (PhD) and Krishan Gairola (PhD).
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz opened the conference in the town hall. In the presence of Minister Svenja Schulze, many international agreements were concluded over the course of the two days in the neighbouring stock exchange, including on sustainable raw materials extraction and cooperation in the water sector.
It became clear that there are still many structural barriers that perpetuate inequality and greenhouse gas-intensive practices. These include subsidies, particularly in the agricultural sector, economic imbalances and the associated lack of financial room for manoeuvre due to high debt and low revenues. Levers such as sustainable public procurement are still underutilised. In addition, measures are not sufficiently focussed on small entrepreneurs, smallholder farmers, young people and indigenous people. Securing their basic rights, especially land use rights and women’s rights, must be given greater focus in order to achieve the SDGs.
Accordingly, the transformation of agriculture was a focal point of the conference. On the one hand, through the reorganisation of subsidies, because according to the World Bank, even a sustainable orientation of 10% of subsidies would have an enormous impact. Digitalisation opens up new opportunities here, including through direct payments. A change of direction is urgently needed because, according to the UNDP, the health and environmental costs of agriculture currently exceed its yields. In an interactive workshop organised by the UNDP, the participants developed policy approaches towards a resilient and sustainable food system in 2050. corsus is working on several projects to determine the environmental impact of food systems and develop recommendations based on this.
Photo 1: UNEP workshop on sustainable food systems
The particular importance of the local level for the implementation of the SDGs was emphasised several times. The impact of city partnerships, particularly for the circular economy, public transport, green jobs and the training of skilled workers, was impressively presented here. Dar es Salaam, for example, showed how women’s access to professions in the construction industry and in the circular economy can be strengthened. Establishing partnerships is part of many municipal sustainability activities. corsus provides support with strategy development and arranges contacts and funding opportunities.
Housing was another key topic; it is in short supply worldwide, especially in the larger cities. At the same time, an enormous increase in new buildings is expected in the global South, often in the informal sector. Here, it is crucial to establish bio-based and circular local value chains without jeopardising local ecosystems – especially forests. To this end, a working group was formed at the conference as part of the ‘Blueprints for Climate-Neutral Cities’ workshop, which will develop guiding principles for the responsible use of biomass in the construction sector.
Photo 2: Group photo of the participants of the ‘Blueprints for Climate-Neutral Cities’ workshop
The conference format was characterised by an open and trusting atmosphere. There was a mix of traditional panel discussions and innovative workshop formats with close involvement of the participants. The conference is to be held annually in future, next time on 2 and 3 June 2025.
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