UNEP
Brazil’s Puyanawa Indigenous People use traditional farming techniques, including the planting of hardwood trees, to counter deforestation, a major driver of climate change
Harnessing science to address the climate crisis
The Emissions Gap Report 2024 found that the world must promise and deliver 42 per cent off annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in the next round of countries’ climate pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). If they do not, the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2100 will not be achievable. Based on current policies, a devastating temperature rise of 2.6°C–3.1°C this century is projected. The report called for big emitters in the G20 to do most of the heavy lifting.
UNEP’s “gap” reports were featured in 3,000+ news stories across 90 countries
The Adaptation Gap Report 2024 called for a massive increase in financial support for developing nations contending with droughts, floods and other climate-related shocks. The report was cited in a landmark decision at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) to triple climate-related finance for developing countries. Leaders from Bulgaria, Kenya and Tonga, among others, referenced the gap reports during COP 29. Together, the publications were featured in 3,000-plus news stories across over 90 countries.
Resourcing the Energy Transition presented seven principles and five actionable recommendations designed to ensure justice, equity and sustainability in minerals development and a circular supply of critical energy transition minerals. The report’s recommendations, if followed across extraction, trade, use and disposal of minerals and metals, can help to lower emissions, protect nature, reduce energy poverty, manage demand, address supply and increase benefit shares for producer countries and local communities. Recommended by the UN Secretary- General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, the report informed the UN General Assembly, the G20, and UN summits on biodiversity and climate change.
According to the Global Resources Outlook, the extraction of natural resources has tripled in the past five decades, driving the triple planetary crisis. The report, which calls for sustainable resource management, was cited in a resolution on renewable energy by the Council of the European Union and mentioned in a UNEA-6 resolution.
The Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment showed how the world can cut 40 per cent off emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that also damages the ozone layer and pollutes the air. Cutting emissions could prevent 20 million premature deaths by 2050. The report’s findings were featured at COP29 and covered by global media.