sustainable development

Overview

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Within CAP'siRNA, the three pillars (ecology, social, and economy) of sustainable development form the foundation of our project. We strongly believe that, as the new generation, we have a role to play in the global ecological transition. Our iGEM project, based on agriculture, is also a way of reflecting this commitment.

17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals are 17 global challenges to be tackled for a better, more sustainable future. The aim is to meet these challenges by 2030.

CAP'siRNA aligns with several of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serve as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. As an innovative biopesticide platform, CAP'siRNA aims to progressively replace chemical pesticides in agriculture. This project supports sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and the development of environmentally safe technologies, particularly benefiting regions such as France and potentially expanding to other parts of Europe and developing countries. By improving crop protection and yields, CAP'siRNA also aims to secure jobs in agriculture, contributing to "Decent Work and Economic Growth."

Goal 2: End Hunger, Achieve Food Security and Improved Nutrition, and Promote Sustainable Agriculture

CAP'siRNA addresses Target 2.4: ensuring sustainable food production systems and implementing resilient agricultural practices. Innovative projects in the agricultural sector are one way of promoting more sustainable farming. Reducing world hunger begins with improving food production to ensure food security.

By protecting sugar beets from the Beet Yellows Virus (BYV), CAP'siRNA helps increasing productivity and production while maintaining ecosystems. This resilience aids adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, thereby securing food supplies and reducing the risk of crop loss.

Goal 3: Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-being for All at All Ages

CAP'siRNA aligns with Target 3.9: substantially reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution. Pesticides are known to cause both acute and chronic adverse health effects.

By using gene-specific RNA interference technology, CAP'siRNA minimizes the use of harmful chemicals, protecting the health of farmers and consumers alike.

Goal 8: Promote Sustained, Inclusive, and Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and Productive Employment, and Decent Work for All

CAP'siRNA supports Target 8.1: sustaining per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances. In regions like Hauts-de-France, agriculture plays a significant economic role for farmers.

By enhancing crop yields and protecting crops from viruses, CAP'siRNA contributes to economic growth, securing farmers' incomes and improving living conditions for farmers.

Goal 9: Build Resilient Infrastructure, Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization, and Foster Innovation

CAP'siRNA addresses Target 9.5: enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities. As a groundbreaking biotechnology project, CAP'siRNA not only introduces innovative solutions in agriculture, but also promotes further research and development

This fosters a culture of innovation and enhances the industrial sector's technological capabilities, particularly in biotechnology.

Goal 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

CAP'siRNA supports Target 12.4: achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle. By reducing the reliance on traditional chemical pesticides and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, CAP'siRNA minimizes environmental pollution and aligns with responsible consumption and production principles.

Goal 13: Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and Its Impacts

CAP'siRNA contributes to Target 13.1: strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards. By enhancing crop resilience to diseases and reducing resource requirements, CAP'siRNA supports climate action efforts, helping agriculture adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Goal 15: Protect, Restore, and Promote Sustainable Use of Terrestrial Ecosystems

CAP'siRNA aligns with Target 15.5: taking urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats. By using RNA interference to target crop diseases without harming beneficial organisms, CAP'siRNA helps maintaining soil quality and biodiversity, supporting sustainable land use and protecting terrestrial ecosystems.

Goal 17: Strengthen the Means of Implementation and Revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

CAP'siRNA emphasizes Target 17.16: enhancing the global partnership for sustainable development. The project involves collaboration with regulatory bodies, research institutions, and agricultural stakeholders.

These partnerships are crucial for the successful adoption and scaling of innovative solutions, contributing to the collective achievement of the SDGs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CAP'siRNA is an innovative response to 8 challenges given by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Our project promotes more sustainable sugar beet production. Using RNA interference technology, CAP'siRNA reduces the use of chemical pesticides, protecting both human health and the environment. This project promotes resilient agriculture that respects the ecosystem, guarantees food security and supports the local economy. CAP'siRNA plays an active role in achieving the goals set for 2030, for a fairer, more sustainable future.

Participatory fresco

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of our biotechnology school, Supbiotech, a participatory fresco was created by artist Jaidess NÖUSS. The work symbolized innovation in biotechnology and the promotion of sustainable development. More than a simple painting, this fresco embodied the link between art and sustainable development, illustrating the commitment to a sustainable future. The painter aimed to leave a lasting trace, a visual testimony that will inspire future generations to continue along the path of responsible innovation.

With the CAP’siRNA team, we were lucky enough to be able to take part in the creation of this fresco. We were able to write several key words representing the future for us. Words such as innovation, biology, and iGEM... were painted on the mural.

Figure 3: Participation in the Climate Fresco