Actualités Climate Action

Focus sur l'action climatique

L'urgence climatique est une conséquence directe de l'utilisation des terres et de l'agriculture, des transports, des bâtiments et des processus industriels à forte intensité de carbone, ainsi que des sources d'énergie polluantes. En l'absence de changements profonds dans ces secteurs et d'une réduction drastique de l'empreinte carbone, il y a peu d'espoir de protéger la planète des effets dévastateurs d'un monde plus chaud. 

Ce flux en direct vous tiendra au courant de toutes les dernières nouvelles de la Conférence des Nations Unies sur le changement climatique, connue sous le nom de 29e Conférence des Parties (COP29) à la Convention-cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (CCNUCC), qui se tiendra à Bakou, en Azerbaïdjan. 

3 hours ago

COP30 hosts Brazil publishes its NDC

Brazil - which is hosting next year's COP30 in the Amazon city of Belém - released its NDC, its climate plan until 2035 earlier today. The country aims to cut its emissions between 59-67 per cent by 2035, compared to 2005. While UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell welcomed the news, saying: "Brazil's plan covers all sectors of the economy and all greenhouse gases, has real reduction targets, and embeds what we agreed last year at COP28."

It is hoped more countries - and particularly the G7 group of nations - will release their NDCs at COP29. Due in February next year, they need to see ambitious emissions cuts if there is any remaining hope of achieving the Paris Agreement goals. 

 

 

 

6 hours ago

Paris Agreement goals not possible without cutting N₂O emissions

Findings from the new Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment (N₂O) released this week at COP29, reveal that without urgent action on rising N₂O emissions, there is no viable pathway to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and provides tangible tools to reduce emissions by more than 40 per cent from current levels.

The assessment also revealed that emissions are rising faster than expected, and that immediate action is required to curb the environmental and health impacts of this super pollutant.

Nitrous oxide is approximately 270 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of warming the planet, and currently responsible for approximately 10 per cent of net global warming since the industrial revolution.

8 hours ago

What are NDCs and why are they so important?

There is lots of talk about countries Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in Baku. These are country’s climate plans, effectively a blueprint for how they propose to cut emissions in collaboration with businesses and local governments.  

Countries updated NDCs are due to be submitted by February 10th next year - highlighting their climate actions up to 2035 – and its vital that they show increased ambition in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

This year looks set to be another with rising emissions, but, as highlighted in UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024, countries need to cut emissions by 42 per cent by 2030. Equally important is that these plans are transparent and integrated into national policies. Read more about NDCs here

The hope is that countries will announce ambitious climate plans during COP29. Yesterday, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer revealed that Britain would aim to reduce emissions by 81 per cent over 1990 levels.

10 hours ago

World Leaders Summit continues with more calls for climate finance

Antonio Guterres
UN Climate Change/Kiara Worth

World leaders have taken centre stage again today with more calls for action on climate finance, which the developing world needs to both transition away from fossil fuels and deal with the effects of the climate crisis. 

Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan said that “without climate justice, there can be no real resilience. I wouldn’t want other countries to face the fight Pakistan faced in 2022.” Pakistan faced devastating floods that year which submerged more than a third of the country. 

Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, pointed out that the modern culture of “limitless consumption” is incompatible with protecting the planet. ““We have chosen a lifestyle that works against the environment. We justify this with an economic framework that is considered as natural as the planetary system,” he said. 

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on increased funding for loss and damage and both mitigation and adaptation, particularly for small island states which are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. “You are on the sharp end of a colossal injustice, an injustice that sees the very future of your islands threatened by rising seas,” he said. 

Central to whether this COP will be seen as a success will be progress on the the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, which will define the scale of developing countries finance needs post-2025. 

11 hours ago

CO2 emissions rise in 2024, despite pledges to act

Coal mine
Pexels/Vikash Singh

Global CO2 emissions will rise 0.8 per cent in 2024, despite pledges to made to "transition away" from fossil fuels at COP28 last year. 

The 2024 Global Carbon Budget projects fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of 37.4 billion tonnes, up 0.8 per cent from 2023. Total CO2 emissions are projected to be 41.6 billion tonnes in 2024, up from 40.6 billion tonnes last year.

Emissions need to fall by 43 per cent by 2030, if there is any chance of achieving the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5C above pre-industrial temperatures.

The new data comes from the Global Carbon Budget project, a collaboration of more than 100 experts led by Prof Pierre Friedlingstein, at the University of Exeter, UK.

The good news is that 22 countries – representing a quarter of global emissions – have decreased their emissions significantly, while still growing their economies. These countries include the UK, Germany and the United States.

The data also highlights the fact that some of the technological solutions to climate change, such as carbon capture and storage (CCUS) are currently not viable, with current levels of technology-based carbon dioxide Removal (excluding nature-based means such as reforestation) accounting for about one-millionth of the CO2 emitted from fossil fuels.

Read the full article here.
 

12 hours ago

New Adaptation podcast showcases amazing projects around the world

Climate-resilient Buildings
Climate-resilient Buildings

UNEP has launched a climate adaptation podcast that brings you inspiring stories from people all over the world who are adapting to climate change in practical, creative and innovative ways. Resilience: The Global Adaptation Podcast highlights projects ranging from award-winning African architects changing the future of climate-resilient buildings to how AI is helping farmers grow food in tough conditions. Each episode will (hopefully) restore some hope about the future.  

12 hours ago

Emissions Gap Report 2024 shows scale of climate challenge

Emissions Gap Report
UNEP

Countries need to cut 42 per cent off annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 57 per cent by 2035 in order to keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal possible, according to UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report, which was released last month. Countries updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are due to be submitted early next year ahead of the COP30 climate talks in Brazil. UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024: No more hot air … please! finds that a failure to increase ambition in these new NDCs and start delivering immediately would put the world on course for a temperature increase of 2.6-3.1°C over the course of this century, causing devastating impacts to people, planet and economies. 

13 hours ago

World Leaders Summit continues as pace intensifies in Baku

COP29 Azerbaijan


Today sees a host of events taking place at COP29, the most high-profile of which is the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, which will see world leaders continue to present national statements on how they are attempting to achieve the Paris Agreement targets. Leaders will also sit for round-table discussions, with today’s talks expected to be heavily focused on climate finance, and particularly unlocking finance for countries’ adaptation needs.   

Other events on today include this side event at the Faith Pavilion will feature a discussion about the current science and policy gaps for effective measures to avert, minimize and address loss and damage; this UNEP-led event on what was learned at the NDCs 3.0 Regional Fora, with a focus on providing a platform for countries to share experiences and exchange challenges and opportunities in the preparation and implementation of their new NDCs (their climate plans which are due early next year); and this webinar focusing on webinar on investing in ecosystem restoration: in the Near East and North Africa. UNEP FI will also be hosting an event on the fundamental role the insurance sector plays in the prevention and reduction of the effects of climate change. 

12 Nov 2024 19:18

COP29 day two ends with speeches, pledges and good news on methane

Woman at COP29
UN Climate Change /Kiara Worth

Day two of COP29 saw lots of speeches from world leaders, almost all of whom called for urgent climate action and highlighted the need for adequate climate finance. The UNFCCC head, Simon Stiell said that the climate crisis “is fast becoming an economy-killer” with its impacts “carving up to 5 per cent off GDP in many countries." 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an emissions reduction target of 81 per cent by 2035 from 1990 levels, as part of the country's updated NDC, or climate plan. 

US climate envoy John Podesta the country's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will fine oil and gas companies for methane leaks. Above a certain level, methane emissions will be levied at $900 per metric tonne, going up to $1,500 by 2026. With the UNEP-led IMEO set to publish it's Eye on Methane Report 2024 later this week, it is hoped that the announcement will result in more action on reducing methane emissions, responsible for a third of the planet's current warming.

Sweden pledged pledged US$18.4 million to the loss and damage fund, taking the total financial commitments to the fund so far this year to less than US$50 million. About $700 million was announced for the fund at COP28 last year, far short of the US$100 billion developing countries argue they need every year,

UN Climate Change also revealed that the provisional number of visitors to COP29 is 66,778, down from the 83,884 who were present at COP28 in Dubai, although still the second largest COP in history. Azerbaijan's land borders have been closed since March 2020.

12 Nov 2024 17:23

UNEP FI to showcase role of finance in climate action

Baku
Pexels/Mikhail Nilov

At COP29, UNEP's Finance Initative will mobilise its extensive network of more than 500 banks, insurers, and investors to emphasize the role of finance in climate action. A range of discussions and events will showcase a number of initiatives and commitments from financial institutions. 

The focus will be on accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement, aligning financial portfolios with net-zero targets, and promoting innovative financial instruments for climate resilience. UNEP FI aims to enhance the finance sector’s contribution to global climate goals, supporting the transition to a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy. 

Discover all the UNEP FI events here