Martin Koehring - Global Sustainability and Ocean Expert

Dutch scientists from The Ocean Cleanup project have successfully collected plastic from the high seas for the first time. I was interviewed by TRT World on how to deal with the systemic problem of plastic pollution in the ocean.

As a continuation of the global cancer preparedness project, for which I edited the main report, I edited a regional report focusing on Latin America.  The report looks at the diversity of the cancer challenge in Latin America, the current extent of efforts to address the disease, and the essential elements to building enhanced preparedness. 

The IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate highlights risks and opportunities for the blue economy. I was interviewed by TRT World on the implications of the climate crisis for the ocean economy and coastal communities.

On September 5th I attended the inaugural EU-China Blue Partnership Forum for the Oceans. The meeting discussed the joint need to tackle blue-economy challenges such as illegal fishing, enhancing marine protected areas, protecting the high seas and promoting sustainable financing.

For two years I have been the lead editor of The Economist Intelligence Unit’s food sustainability programme. As I bow out, I am reminiscing about the great impact the FSI is having on stimulating policy dialogue and progress.

In August I presented recent progress on sustainability-related projects at the Green Economics Institute 14th Annual Conference at Said Business School, University of Oxford. The conference was attended by leading academics in areas such as environmental economics, finance and sustainable development.

On July 2nd I attended The Economist Events’ inaugural Climate Risk Summit in London. Planning for climate change-related risks is now an essential task for any business.

On April 8th and 9th I attended the Cambridge Global Food Security Symposium 2019, which focused on generating practical solutions for India and Africa. I presented the Food Sustainability Index on day 2 of the conference.

This new index is a useful benchmarking tool to help policymakers and other key stakeholders to identify where their countries stand in cancer control compared with their peers and how they can boost their preparedness.

This new research highlights the need to address the root causes of NCDs as early as possible and to give young people a seat around the policy table.