The Power of Partnerships: ActNow and AWorld Unite to Deliver Impact for the SDGs
A groundbreaking partnership driven by the United Nations’ ActNow campaign and the digital platform AWorld is making a determined effort to unite individuals and communities for a sustainable future and build meaningful impact for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN SDG Action Campaign spoke with ActNow lead for the UN SDG Summit Francyne Harrigan and AWorld co-founder and CEO Alessandro Armillotta, to learn more about how ActNow seamlessly combines individual empowerment with global collaboration to make tangible progress for the SDGs.
Seven years. That’s how long the global community has to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and secure Agenda 2030. And yet, according to the 2023 UN Sustainable Development Goals Report, the impacts of the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, a weak global economy, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed weaknesses and hindered progress towards the Goals.
That’s where the citizen-centered ActNow campaign and its supporting mobile app, AWorld, comes in. AWorld is dedicated to shaping a sustainable future for all through measurable impact. By leveraging data analytics, AWorld tracks engaging sustainable habits that help build lasting change while also providing easy tips that make sustainable living accessible to all. The goal, says AWorld CEO and co-founder, Alessandro Armillotta, is to empower users to shift from awareness to action with daily strategies for reducing footprints and fostering a playful, impactful community.
Strong collaborations and key partnerships can produce meaningful and lasting impact. As the global community crosses the mid-point to achieving Agenda 2030, AWorld and Act Now are betting that their partnership can help drive the necessary push towards achieving a sustainable future for all. We spoke with ActNow lead for the UN SDG Summit, Francyne Harrigan and AWorld’s Alessandro Armillotta to learn more about how the 2023 ActNow campaign seamlessly combines individual empowerment with global collaboration to make tangible progress for the SDGs.
Building a sustainable future for all means taking action today and uniting to act on everything from climate change and gender inequality to food insecurity and peace and justice. Zooming in on one priority, what challenge speaks to you the most and how are you and your organization working to make change happen?
Francyne: ActNow was originally launched in 2018 as the UN’s campaign for individual action on SDG13 Climate Action and recently it has been expanded to all 17 Goals. On the ActNow website and on the AWorld app there are lists of actions that everyone can take to help create better lives on a healthier planet for all.
But climate change still remains the defining crisis of our time and 2023 is a critical year for action. In September the Secretary-General is convening a Climate Ambition Summit to accelerate action and showcase bold and credible leadership, followed by the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement and COP28. Our job in the UN Department of Global Communications is to inform, inspire and mobilize people all around the world for these and many other key climate moments. ActNow gives everyone the opportunity to make choices to protect nature, tackle climate change, and take care of our planet. We know that individual action and systemic change go hand in hand and the more people join the ActNow movement, take action, and speak up for change, the bigger the pressure on leaders to act.
Alex: Over the years, I fell in love with everything related to the environment, so Goal 13 is our main focus. However, I soon learned how our elements are connected, one Goal to the other. The truth is that the 3 elements of sustainability - environmental, economic and social - are connected and depend on each other. The AWorld App supporting ActNow was built to bridge the intention-behaviour gap, to create a culture of sustainability and encourage active citizenship.
In a world where information is easily accessible, our goal is to bring people together and turn knowledge into action.
Our mission is to inspire, empower and mobilise people to change the world for the good. Through the collective actions of individuals we must protect our planet, every day, everywhere.
This year marks the half-way point to Agenda 2030 and yet indicators show that progress on the SDGs is lagging. Only about 15% of the Goals are currently on track while close to 50% are moderately or severely off track. What do you want to see happen right now that can contribute to inverting this negative trend and putting us back on the right path?
Francyne: For the first time in decades, development progress is reversing under the combined impacts of climate disasters, conflict, economic downturn and lingering COVID-19 effects. In 2015, world leaders made an historic global promise to secure the rights and well-being of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet when they agreed to the 2030 Agenda. But the Agenda is a promise, not a guarantee and now, halfway to the 2030 deadline, that promise is indeed in deep peril. What we need to see are fundamental shifts in commitment, solidarity, financing and action, if we are to get back on track to end poverty, realize just societies and reset a balanced relationship with the natural world.
This September, the UN SDG Summit held during the UN General Assembly, is an opportunity to recharge momentum, for world leaders to come together, to reflect on where we stand and resolve to do more. World leaders must choose to fulfill the promises they have made. As the UN Secretary-General has underscored, no country can afford to see them fail.
Alex: I would like to see more commitment from public institutions. I see the trend shifting, but it is still too slow to contribute significantly. While the private sector has an agenda (mostly driven by consumer demand), I would like to see more municipalities embracing NetZero strategies and involving citizens.
There are several components, socio-economic and environmental, that must be present in the reversal of a well-defined framework to advance sustainable development. There is evidence that individuals tend to engage the most when they feel more supported, and this support must come from institutions.
Despite some discouraging news on SDG progress, we are nonetheless hopeful that, when united for action, we can affect positive change. And we know this just by looking at the thousands of application submissions we receive each year for our UN SDG Action Awards, which celebrate mobilizers, inspirers, and changemakers. Which individual or initiative inspires you to take action and continue to work towards a better future for all?
Francyne: There are many actions that can be taken and many inspiring examples that contribute to a better world. One is the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion which is designed to contribute to achievement of the SDGs through coordinated action in the fashion sector. According to the Alliance, the clothing and textile industry is responsible for an estimated 2–8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, while textiles account for approximately 9% of annual microplastic losses to the oceans, and around 215 trillion liters of water per year are consumed by the industry. As an industry that is expected to continue to expand in the future, without major action around production processes and consumption patterns, the social and environmental costs of the sector will continue to grow. The initiative is inspiring both from an organisation standpoint, but outside my role at the UN, as an individual, I also have the agency to affect change in my daily life, for example from buying fewer clothes, to shopping second-hand, and repairing what I can.
Alex: I see citizens becoming more and more involved in environmental and social causes over the years. I am inspired by anyone who realises the environmental and social crisis we are experiencing and decides to take action for a better future. A special organisation I follow is Project Everyone. The way they communicate and promote the SDG’s, their global community of activists and their awareness campaigns are truly inspirational.
Innovation is key to ensuring that our sustainable future is also inclusive. What are the novel trends and opportunities that you think will be game-changing for SDG action?
Francyne: Transformation of our global food systems is one of many game-changing opportunities for both SDG action and for getting the SDGs back on track. According to UN-Water, the agriculture sector is the largest consumer of the world’s freshwater resources. As demand for food continues to grow globally, further pressures will be put on our natural resources.
Harnessing the changes underway in outer space, “digital agriculture” is one tool that presents exciting opportunities for the SDGs. Space technology offers huge potential for sustainable, resilient and efficient agriculture and agri-food systems. With the use of satellites and remote sensing, we are now able to optimize food production. While providing real-time information services on irrigation and crop management will also enable the tackling of severe hazards to agriculture and food security.
I’ve highlighted a couple of examples around accelerating food systems transformation, but there are many more that can be game-changers.
Alex: With a growing world population, the demand for mineral resources is increasing. Their presence in all sectors of the economy and the fact that they are crucial in high technology, digital products and not least in many investment programmes for the energy transition, put pressure on various mineral resources. I believe that any technology that will enable the development of a circular economy will be a game changer in the challenge of mineral availability. The implementation of processes such as recycling of minerals, life cycle assessment and monitoring of material flows, combined with the reduction of social impacts, will transform the scenario.
For many, the quest for an equitable and sustainable future starts from within. What has been a key turning point in your life? What have you learned from this that gives you hope for the current turning point we find ourselves in?
Francyne: A key turning point has been the movement and global actions around plastic pollution. Plastic consumption has increased over the years causing several environmental issues. We’ve seen public mobilization and actions to cut plastic production/consumption and pollution. As a result, we’ve seen policy bans and regulations at government levels put in place. The UN is also spearheading a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. This type of mobilization followed by action, is inspiring and showcases the possibility of solutions to tackle other issues and ensure the achievement of all the SDGs.
Alex: My background is in fashion. About six years ago, during a business trip to Asia, I learned how impactful our daily choices can be. During a visit to one of the factories producing clothing, I saw with my eyes the devastating impact this industry has on people and the planet. Exploited people and natural resources, and poor social and environmental conditions.
That was my “moment of no return”, I believe no one can go back to their own lives without asking themselves many questions. Questions then translated to study and research. Changing behaviours can be hard but possible and totally inspirational. From that day, I decided to leave my old life behind, and to dedicate the rest of my life to showing others the power of individual action.
Tell us about the ACT NOW campaign / AWorld App and how it is helping to drive action on the SDGs?
Alex: The collaboration between the UN’s ActNow Campaign and the AWorld platform aims to highlight the path towards a sustainable lifestyle, to show how simple, tangible and measurable actions together can have a massive impact.
The educational approach, the daily actions and carbon footprint are essential tools to understand our personal impact. Gamification and challenges are the ultimate motivators that give the extra incentive to take action.
Download the AWorld app and #ActNow for a more sustainable future for all!
