EMEA Senior Researcher, Dr. Yeganeh Forouheshfar, took part in the the Mediterranean Green Week, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from May 14th to 16th, 2024. Hosted by UfM in partnership with the OECD, this event served as a vital forum for discussions on climate action and sustainability in the region.
During the session on “Climate Financial Flows,” Dr. Forouheshfar presented insights on “ESG Financing for Advancing Climate Action in the Region.” Her presentation explored the manifold benefits of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria for climate finance, while also addressing key pitfalls within ESG ratings followed by efforts already in place and several recommendations to address those shortcomings. Notably, she emphasized the importance of assessing the quality of green and sustainable funds, a topic of increasing relevance in Europe.
In addition to her contributions to the session, Dr. Forouheshfar actively participated in a focus group meeting dedicated to the research project “Cultivating Women and Girls in STEM for the Green Economy.” This collaborative effort between UNDP and the OECD aims to examine the intersection of green jobs, STEM skills, soft skills, and gender equality in Europe and Central Asia.
The theme of the UfM Mediterranean Green Week 2024: “Towards a greener and more resilient Mediterranean“, underlines the urgent need for collective action and a new ambition for regional and local cooperation to move towards a decarbonized, energy-efficient economy, mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, and safeguard the unique ecological diversity of the Mediterranean region.
