IEEE Planet Positive 2030 Initiative

Written by Deborah Hagar

IEEE has launched a comprehensive initiative to bring together global expertise across the domains of engineering, technology, science, and academia, to achieve two goals. Transforming society and infrastructure to achieve Planet Positive 2030 (PP2030) imperative to reduce GHG emissions to net 50% of 2005 emissions by 2030 and significantly increase regeneration and resilience of earth’s ecosystems and identifying technological solutions we need to design, innovate and deploy to reach PP2030.


The following new research and guidelines is being developed through the PP2030 project and organized with targeted PP2030 Committees specifically for this project, under the leadership of Maike Lukenn (candidate for IEEE President), and John Havens (IEEE) under IEEE’s Standards Association.  Each Committee is responsible for drafting one chapter in the Strong Sustainability by Design and Accountable Sustainability by Design IEEE papers, to be published as described below, and reconciled with additional open input that will take place with Workshops scheduled in 2022 and 2023.

  • Guiding Principles (led by Maike Luken)
  • Metrics & Indicators (led by Deborah Hagar – Chair of P7010.1 and member of SMC Committee)
  • Economics/Regulation
  • Global Methodologies
  • Ecosystems:  Forests/Trees – Rivers/Lakes – Towns/Cities – Ocean Coasts – Farmlands/Grasslands – Mountains/Peatlands

Each chapter will present: Vision (developed by cross disciplinary expertise of 10-15 members involved in each Committee) – Prioritized Issues (requirements to Meet Net-Zero 2030 goals, with prioritized actions/technology applications required to provide the enlarged capacity and capability to enable goals to be achieved. – Recommendations for reaching to goals – Any relevant Case Studies – Further References.

The final publications will provide a complete vision for achieving the Net-Zero 2030 Goals and policies, and provide recommendations for how to meet the challenges. The publications will present new insights and solutions from the unique IEEE methodology, engaging new mindsets and the collective experience of the combined knowledge of engineering/technology, government, and business to achieve the PP2030 Vision.

The first draft is being developed by each Committee to be presented at an IEEE sponsored Workshop at Stanford University on Advancing Technology for a Sustainable Planet, July 25 and 26 (for additional information please contact John Havens. The second draft will be presented for a Workshop at a session to be scheduled September 12, at The Hague.  These two drafts will comprise the paper, “Strong Sustainability by Design”, a roadmap to achieving the vision. The second paper to be published will be “Accountable Sustainability by Design”, pragmatic recommendations for achieving Sustainability. This draft will be presented in February 27 of 2023, and the final draft to be presented in April or May of 2023.

This initiative has the support and leadership of IEEE’s Standards Association and is moving IEEE forward, beyond ethical designs, to achieving the goal of advancing humanity through technology.

The Metrics Committee, co-chaired by Deborah Hagar, P7010.1 Working Group Chair and member of SMC Committee, is currently comprised of professionals in ESG/SDG Corporate Sustainability, international accounting societies, leading international universities, technology expertise, engineering professionals, and policy leaders. The Committee is in the process of clarifying the Metrics (as Standards designed to meeting international accounting disclosure standards – i.e., International Sustainability Standards Board), and Indicators (new measurements of results for testing/validation, and  indicators of successful results from innovations), to provide transparency in reporting and accountability for performance. The Metrics Committee is in the process of prioritizing and focusing on the top 10-15 issues to be addressed and intends to enlarge the role and impact of technology, both in measurement for compliance with standards and with the wider use of data-driven decision making with AI and human intelligence.

This initiative will reinforce the global leadership of IEEE through its advancement of work on technology, standards, and new models of efficiency. It represents the earned respect, across technology, engineering, academicians, and government leaders, to conduct peer-reviewed assessments, apply research, and build new knowledge in the advancement of humanity through technology. The Metrics Committee will extend its work with ongoing collaboration with SMC Committee through the P7010.1 Working Group and Smart Cities Study Group.

 

This article was edited by Bernard Fong

To view all articles in this issue, please go to July 2022 eNewsletter. For a downloadable copy, please visit the IEEE Smart Cities Resource Center.

DeborahHagar
Deborah Hagar established The Foundation for Sustainable Communities, a private non-profit organization that is driving economic growth and development of high-value and is a model for multi-agency collaboration in economic development and education in direct partnership with private industry. It unites industry/education/labor in development of the competitive skills required for today’s high-value jobs and to meet the demands of the growth industries of the future. The Foundation is providing a digital network, advanced analytics, and industry expertise in key economic corridors of southern California. Ms. Hagar has 35 years business/management experience with demonstrated leadership and accomplishment. For the past twenty years, her company has provided management and business solutions for organizations in multiple industries. She has led efforts with Smart Cities with IBM and cities in southern California.  Ms. Hagar is a Sr. Adjunct Professor with the University of LaVerne. 

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