abrdn established a partnership with UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - in 2022. UNESCO and the abrdn Charitable Foundation (aCF) subsequently set up a 3-year project entitled ‘Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO’s programmes and sites’. abrdn has committed €750,000 to date to support UNESCO in implementing pilot programmes in 9 countries, with a focus on biodiversity.
UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe oversees the overall project. It works with UNESCO designated sites through 3 scientific programmes - Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) - to promote innovative approaches to sustainable development in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
Our ambitions
The project seeks to foster a sustainable and carbon-neutral Europe through research and education. The goal is to develop innovative solutions relating to the environment, water and the ocean.
UNESCO is the only United Nations specialized agency with a specific mandate for science. Consequently, it has been at the forefront of efforts to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the world’s roadmap for ending poverty, protecting the planet and tackling inequalities), most notably in terms of the science-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 6, SDG 13, SDG 14 and SDG 15.
Sarah Moody, Chair of the abrdn Charitable Foundation said: "Our partnership with UNESCO embodies abrdn's commitment to impactful investment with the transformative power of science and education. We’re proud to be UNESCO’s first financial services partner. This collaboration is not just about funding; it's about fostering innovative solutions for the planet's most pressing environmental challenges—biodiversity, water, and the ocean. UNESCO are turning the Sustainable Development Goals from aspirations into realities, proving that when we invest in our planet, we secure a prosperous future for all.”
Why the partnership works and the benefits it brings
The partnership between UNESCO and abrdn is a multifaceted collaboration that brings together the resources, expertise, and networks of both parties to help achieve the SDGs, notably in the areas of the environment and climate change.
The partnership – via the 3-year project – strives to adopt intersectoral approaches to confront major challenges of our time, such as climate change. The partnership, again via the project, exemplifies this approach as it brings together the sciences as well as education and culture.
The partnership acts as a catalyst for innovation by encouraging the development of projects with partners and within Member States. It also results in the application of new technologies, as well as the development of novel approaches and strategies for addressing environmental issues. Similar projects are being implemented around the world, and the project has the potential to be scaled up to other regions so that countries can globally benefit from its implementation. Given that environmental and climate-change issues are often complex and global in nature, a partnership can be more effective, in terms of scale and impact, than individual contributions. This is particularly important given the urgent need for large-scale action to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
UNESCO is working to ensure that long-term collaboration is fostered at UNESCO designated sites to produce sustainable outcomes. The involvement of local communities, grassroots organisations and stakeholders in the design and implementation of environmental projects at sites funded by the UNESCO-abrdn project, ensures that these initiatives are relevant to those directly impacted and meet their needs. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among communities and supports the sustainability and success of the initiatives.
Commenting on the partnership with abrdn, Magdalena Landry, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe underscored:
“2030 is right around the corner, and we ought to redouble our joint efforts. Innovation is one area where the private sector can help UNESCO, the UN and the global community - as we strive to achieve the 17 goals by 2030. This is the first time that UNESCO has partnered with the financial world to promote sustainable development and come up with innovative ideas on how to change the world for the better.
The public-private partnership between UNESCO and abrdn, notably this 3-year project, illustrates the instrumental role the private sector can play in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of the world.”
The partnership in action
Our partnership’s focus is on helping achieve the SDGs by establishing a platform for collaboration and encouraging innovation.
During its first year, 5 pilot sites reported results on species monitoring, education activities and the publication of scientific research papers.
In its second year, the partnership is supporting 5 additional sites and will deliver projects in the UK, in the rest of Europe and North America. Projects include using drone technology to reduce the risk of forest fires, increasing the resilience of natural capital tied to farming, and generating studies on water quality and aquifers.
Overall, our partnership leverages the collective resources and expertise of abrdn and UNESCO, enables innovation, engages communities, and facilitates collaboration. Over the next year, we look forward to working together to support UNESCO in its mission to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. Specifically, in this endeavour, uniting for the planet, to tackle some of the monumental environmental issues of our time.
You can find out more about our partnership and some of the sites that have been supported here.