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The 20th anniversary edition
March 14 & 15, 2025
at UNESCO / Ministère de la Santé / Mediawan • Paris
FR · EN
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Debate

Forests: can we still save them?

‘Halt deforestation and land degradation by 2030’. This is the commitment made by 145 countries in the Glasgow Declaration at COP26. But with 6 years to go, experts are still warning that millions of hectares of forest are still disappearing around the world every year, ravaged by fires, degraded by logging or destroyed to make way for farmland. Africa and South America, in particular, suffer the most serious consequences.
This destruction is not confined to the regions affected: it is also fuelled by ‘imported deforestation’, linked to our consumption patterns in France and Europe. The palm oil, soya and tropical wood we use often come from lands where forests have been cleared. Our food choices, purchasing habits and corporate decisions have a direct impact on these fragile ecosystems. Using the examples of the Brazilian Cerrado and the forests of the Congo Basin, this session will highlight the urgent need for action. It is crucial to transform our consumption patterns, to involve companies in the transparency of their supply chains, and to strengthen political regulations to combat deforestation. Everyone has a role to play: consumers, businesses and political decision-makers. Together, we can put in place concrete solutions to preserve and regenerate these ecosystems, protect the biodiversity they harbour, and change practices before it's too late.’

Estelle EWOULE LOBE , Co-founder of the Action for the Protection of Internally Displaced People and Environmental Migrants in Africa

Francis HALLÉ , Botanist and biologist, specialist in trees and tropical forests

Dinamam TUXA , Executive coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) and Legal Advisor to the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of the Northeast, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo (APOINME)

Eliane XUNAKALO , President of the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Ernst ZÜRCHER , Forestry Engineer, Doctor of Science, Emeritus Professor, and Wood Science Researcher

Moderation: Laure d' ASTORG, CEO of the Alliance for Forest Conservation

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La maison de l'UNESCO, 125 avenue Suffren, 75007 Paris – Salle XI
Friday, March 14 – 17:00 - 18:30
In partnership with L'OFFICE FRANÇAIS DE LA BIODIVERSITÉ, L'ALLIANCE POUR LA PRÉSERVATION DES FORÊTS
L'OFFICE FRANÇAIS DE LA BIODIVERSITÉ L'ALLIANCE POUR LA PRÉSERVATION DES FORÊTS

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With the intervention of

Eliane XUNAKALO
Eliane XUNAKALO
President of the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Dinamam TUXA
Dinamam TUXA
Executive coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) and Legal Advisor to the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of the Northeast, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo (APOINME)
Estelle EWOULE LOBE
Estelle EWOULE LOBE
Co-founder of the Action for the Protection of Internally Displaced People and Environmental Migrants in Africa
Ernst ZÜRCHER
Ernst ZÜRCHER
Forestry Engineer, Doctor of Science, Emeritus Professor, and Wood Science Researcher
Francis HALLÉ
Francis HALLÉ
Botanist and biologist, specialist in trees and tropical forests

Moderation

Laure d' ASTORG
Laure d' ASTORG
CEO of the Alliance for Forest Conservation

Other debates at the same time

Trance in the 21st century: reconnecting with your inner self
Dans une société en quête de repères, la recherche de sens et de reconnexion à soi émerge comme un besoin fondamental. Et si les états modifiés de conscience, tels que la transe, offraient une voie puissante pour renouer avec notre essence profonde et renforcer notre lien au vivant ?

Cette session unique vous propose une immersion au cœur de la transe, alliant expériences humaines et découvertes scientifiques. Corine Sombrun et François Féron, deux experts complémentaires, unissent leurs visions pour explorer ce phénomène à la fois ancestral et résolument moderne.

Ensemble, ils vous invitent à dépasser vos idées préconçues et à envisager la transe comme un levier puissant de changement intérieur et sociétal. Une rencontre où science et humanité se croisent pour élargir nos horizons et réveiller notre potentiel.

François FERON , Professor of Neurosciences at Aix-Marseille University, President of the TranceScience Research Institute

Corine SOMBRUN , Writer and Co-founder of the TranceScience Research Institute

Moderation: Cyrielle HARIEL, Impact journalist, author, and speaker

Learn more
La maison de l'UNESCO, 125 avenue Suffren, 75007 Paris – Salle IX
Friday, March 14 – 17:00 - 18:30

The shareholder planet: a voice that counts
L’actionnariat est en pleine transformation : certaines entreprises explorent de nouveaux modèles pour faire de la finance un levier d’impact. Fonds à impact, actifs verts… Aujourd’hui, plus du tiers des actifs financiers seraient orientés vers la transition climatique et une gouvernance responsable. Mais comment mobiliser les gestionnaires d’actifs et orienter l’épargne vers une économie résiliente, créatrice de progrès ?
Dans cette session, nous découvrirons des exemples concrets de nouvelles formes d’actionnariat et de gouvernance qui allient indépendance et engagement sociétal et environnemental. Et si nous allions encore un peu plus loin ; imaginez un conseil d’administration avec autour de la table des représentants des actionnaires, des salariés, des investisseurs et… des arbres, des fleuves, des animaux. Autrement dit, faire de la planète un quatrième partenaire, voire un actionnaire.

Emmanuelle ASSOUAN , Managing Director of Financial Stability and Operations and Chair of the Climate Change Center at the Banque de France

Olivier DE GUERRE , President of Phitrust

Ada DI MARZO , Associate at Bain & Company, Managing Director France

Frantz GAULT , Corporate Regeneration – Governing with Nature

Jean-Pierre GRIMAUD , CEO of Ofi Invest

Rémy RIOUX , Director General - French Development Agency (AFD) Group / President - Finance in Common Executive Committee

Nicolas SERIES , President of ZEISS France

Etienne TICHIT , General Manager of Novo Nordisk France

Moderation: Isabelle GUÉNARD-MALAUSSÈNE, Member of the Finansol-FAIR Label Committee, a solidarity finance label with social and environmental impact.

Learn more
La maison de l'UNESCO, 125 avenue Suffren, 75007 Paris – Salle XII
Friday, March 14 – 17:00 - 18:40
In partnership with LA MACIF

A New Breath: transforming, creating, and innovating for a better world
‘We have no choice. Our civilisation is at such a turning point that we have to change our habits, create a new society and invent a desirable future that respects all living things. To bring about these major transformations that will determine the future of humanity and our future living conditions, each of us holds part of the solution. By encouraging inventiveness, we can develop projects and initiatives that positively transform our society.
We will explore concrete examples that are redefining the future of our cities, our homes, our agriculture and our business models. Join us in imagining a world where creativity and sustainability come together, paving the way for a better future for all. Together, let's breathe new life into our ideas and actions, by changing, creating and inventing.’

Arthur AUBOEUF , Co-founder of Team for the Planet

Romane BARD , Co-founder of Bindly – ESME Graduate 2024

Benjamin CHOMMAUX , Co-founder and President of Bindly – ESME Graduate 2024

Julien DURANT , Co-founder of Picture

Luca GAMBERINI , Co-founder of Nemo's Garden

Emmanuelle GOUILLART , Scientific Director of Saint-Gobain Research Paris

Clémence GUYOUX , 5th-year student at SupBiotech

Martine JAUROYON , Director of Sustainability and Corporate Engagement at Egis Group

Annika MOHR-STORFALT , Sustainability Director at Balenciaga

Moderation: Thomas PAROUTY, Founder of Agence MIEUX

Learn more
La maison de l'UNESCO, 125 avenue Suffren, 75007 Paris – Salle IV
Friday, March 14 – 17:00 - 18:30
In partnership with LA MACIF

Eating for healing
Eat 5 fruit and vegetables a day! This public health recommendation sounds simple, but it remains difficult for many people to apply, as it clashes with our eating habits, ubiquitous junk food and budgetary constraints. Yet what we eat has a direct impact on our health and well-being. A high-quality diet is essential to prevent obesity, heart disease, addiction to sugar and fat, and psychological disorders.
 The problem goes far beyond what's on our plates. Our consumption is often influenced by the tempting promotions of manufacturers and the massive presence of ultra-processed products on our shelves. 
 Information tools such as the Planet Score and the Nutri Score are invaluable in helping us to make more informed choices in terms of nutritional quality and environmental impact. The latest clinical studies show, for example, that a balanced microbiota means 30 different plants a week. 
The solutions lie in a better understanding of food, local and seasonal choices, and a cuisine that values plants and reduces dependence on processed products. In this session, we'll be exploring ‘little triggers’ to encourage people to take control of their physical and emotional health through simple actions. We will also look at the challenges of sustainable agriculture that supports our health and that of the planet.

Sébastien ABIS , Associate Researcher at IRIS and Managing Director of Club Demeter

Anthony BERTHOU , Nutritionist, Specialist in Systemic Issues of Food

Sabine BONNOT , Expert in Agriculture and Food, President of Planet Score

Célia DUMAS , Director of Patient Experience and Solutions Novo Nordisk France

Anne-Sophie JOLY , President and Founder of the National Collective of Obesity Associations

Biliana LESIC , Doctor in Microbiology and Founder of M et Moi

Emilie LOWENBACH , Director of CSR and Communication at Ecotone, President of the Ecotone Foundation

Moderation: Caroline BLAES, Impact Journalist | Committed to Social & Environmental Justice

Learn more
Ministère de la Santé, 14 avenue Duquesne 75007 Paris – Salle laroque
Friday, March 14 – 17:00 - 18:30
In partnership with FONDATION UNE SANTÉ DURABLE POUR TOUS

Is it possible to live within planetary limits?
There are 9 of them. The 9 planetary limits enable scientists to concretely assess the impact of human activities on the Earth's equilibrium. Today, 6 of these 9 limits have been exceeded, and each time they are exceeded, there is a greater risk of irreversibly destabilizing the planet's environment. This is the case for climate change and the loss of biodiversity. 
This concept of planetary limits, scientifically posited in 2009 in the journal Nature, forces us to rethink our development model based on a linear vision of growth. Since the Industrial Revolution, we have lived with the illusion of inexhaustible nature and infinite resources. We need to make a major shift in our thinking if we are to meet basic human needs while preserving the environment.
But how can we combine social justice issues with environmental challenges? How can we put the economy back at the center of planetary limits? How can we integrate these new perspectives into our public policies? And how can we change our business practices and lifestyles? That's what we'll be looking at in this session, where we'll be discussing sustainability, sobriety, ecological footprints, contract economies... and doughnuts.

Session translated in English and French.

Kate RAWORTH , Economist and author of the book "Doughnut Economics"

Mathis WACKERNAGEL , Ph.D., founder Global Footprint Network

Moderation:

Learn more
La maison de l'UNESCO, 125 avenue Suffren, 75007 Paris – Salle II
Friday, March 14 – 17:00 - 18:30
In partnership with C3D, Le sens & l'action

Streaming - Is it possible to live within planetary limits? (in english)
There are 9 of them. The 9 planetary limits enable scientists to concretely assess the impact of human activities on the Earth's equilibrium. Today, 6 of these 9 limits have been exceeded, and each time they are exceeded, there is a greater risk of irreversibly destabilizing the planet's environment. This is the case for climate change and the loss of biodiversity. 
This concept of planetary limits, scientifically posited in 2009 in the journal Nature, forces us to rethink our development model based on a linear vision of growth. Since the Industrial Revolution, we have lived with the illusion of inexhaustible nature and infinite resources. We need to make a major shift in our thinking if we are to meet basic human needs while preserving the environment.
But how can we combine social justice issues with environmental challenges? How can we put the economy back at the center of planetary limits? How can we integrate these new perspectives into our public policies? And how can we change our business practices and lifestyles? That's what we'll be looking at in this session, where we'll be discussing sustainability, sobriety, ecological footprints, contract economies... and doughnuts.

Streaming session translated in English and French. In French local time.

Kate RAWORTH , Economist and author of the book "Doughnut Economics"

Mathis WACKERNAGEL , Ph.D., founder Global Footprint Network

Moderation:

Learn more
Vidéoconférence à domicile – STREAMING
Friday, March 14 – 17:00 - 18:30

« Vivement 2040 » (projection gratuite)
Come and discover the exclusive first episodes of “Vivement 2040”, a series by Ronan Letoqueux.
Synopsis: Faced with projections on the future of the planet, eco-anxiety and paralysis have not yet won the day. For Corentin de Chatelperron and Caroline Pultz, changing our lifestyles and building a sustainable and desirable future as early as 2040 is possible. And the key? Low-tech. Ingenious systems that could transform the way we live and think about cities. The Urban Biosphere experiment will put this to the test right in the heart of Paris!
Production: Mediatika, with the participation of ARTE France
Screening in French

Moderation:

Learn more
La maison de l'UNESCO, 125 avenue Suffren, 75007 Paris – Salle de cinéma
Friday, March 14 – 17:00 - 18:30
In partnership with ARTE