The climate emergency is a direct consequence of carbon-heavy land-use and agriculture, transport, buildings and industrial processes and polluting energy sources. Without profound changes to these sectors and a drastic cut to carbon footprints, there is little hope of protecting the planet from the devastating effects of a warmer world.
This live feed will keep you up-to-date with all the latest news from the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
12 minutes ago
UNEP head: Nature-based solutions crucial to climate goals
UNEP
Nature-based Solutions are key to solving the interlinked crises we now face. That was the message from UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen at the Global Leaders Dialogue at COP29 yesterday.
She highlighted how Nature-based Solutions help to:
“Cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase adaptation to climate impacts under the Paris Agreement. That halt and reverse biodiversity loss under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. That meet land degradation neutrality goals under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. That deliver on the SDGs and more.”
Andersen also highlighted how these solutions are not just good for the climate, for nature and for people, but also good for business.
“Much of the global economy is dependent on nature and its services. UNEP recognizes this by supporting Nature-based Solutions and Ecosystem-based Adaptation through nearly 90 global projects, restoring 324,000 hectares and benefiting 3.5 million people.”
1 hour ago
Crunch-time in Baku as COP29 enters final straight
UNclimatechange
It’s the (most likely) final day in Baku, with negotiations coming down the wire. The hope is that the multiple gaps between countries can be bridged, and a final text is released that enables countries most vulnerable to climate change to transition to a sustainable future and protect themselves from the effects of climate change.
Yesterday the COP Presidency announced that the revised presidency texts would be released late on Friday. We will keep you posted on developments as they happen.
13 hours ago
Take a sneak peek at the new climate action series from UNEP
Narrated by Don Cheadle, learn about UNEP's latest climate action series and the leaders, activists and entrepreneurs building scalable climate solutions across the world.
Every fraction of a degree matters, every climate action counts.
14 hours ago
Countries urged to be stronger on emissions reductions
UN Climate Change/Kiara Worth
There have been calls for the world not to go backwards on cutting emissions after some countries expressed dismay that the draft text released earlier today was not strong enough on emissions cuts - which are necessary if the world is to avoid devastating climate chaos.
The Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, which includes Costa Rica, France, Greenland, the Marshall Islands and other nations, released a statement on Thursday calling for nations to stick to their 2023 pledge to begin the transition away from fossil fuels.
At least year's COP28 in Dubai, countries agreed to "transition away from fossil fuels" but that line was missing from the draft text released earlier today in Baku.
Colombian Environment Minister, Susana Muhamed pointed out the necessity of such a transition: "What is the point of having an agreement and a convention if we cannot deal with the issue that creates the problem,” she asked.
This was echoed by Ed Miliband, the UK minister for energy security and net zero, who said that in a world facing increasing disasters, “standing still is a retreat”.
14 hours ago
In Viet Nam, loans help gender equality and fight climate change
Duong Khanh Ly, the founder of a tea cooperative in northeast Viet Nam, had a problem.
Severe downpours would often soak tea leaves that had been left outside to dry, spoiling entire batches and cutting into the profits of the co-operative’s 15 female members.
So, Duong approached CHIASE, a non-governmental organization and partner of the United Nations’ EmPower programme, which helps women become more resilient in the face of climate change.
Launched in 2018, EmPower is led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Women. The effort is designed to tackle a problem many women face across the Asia-Pacific region: a lack of access to credit.
2°C of warming could unlock irreversible impacts within decades
Pexels/Pixabay
Scientists and governments highlighted what's at stake in the negotiations, after publishing new research yesterday that showed that warming of 2°C could unlock "terrifying" irreversible impacts that could emerge in decades.
“The latest science points to feedbacks from polar and mountain regions from our current emissions trajectory that will have extreme and irreversible economic, social and environmental consequences throughout the planet,” said the joint statement, descrying the lack of progress.
The State of the Cryosphere 2024 report, published last week at COP29, warns that current climate commitments, leading the world to well over 2°C of warming, would bring disastrous and irreversible consequences for billions of people from global ice loss.
“As a scientist, these impacts terrify me, said Dr. James Kirkham, AMI Chief Scientist. “But what terrifies me more is that the pace of global action to address these threats remains light-years away from what the science unanimously says we must do to minimise the global damage that continues to grow hour by hour.”
16 hours ago
New report: Peatlands degrading in 177 countries, putting climate goals at risk
Peatlands are around 3-4 per cent of the planet’s land surface, yet contain up to one-third of the world’s soil carbon, which is twice the amount of carbon found in the world’s forests.
Despite the critical climate role peatlands play, they are degrading in 177 countries, putting climate and biodiversity goals at risk.
The report introduces updated hotspot maps of global peatland distribution, highlighting the threats they face and the opportunities for peatland restoration and conservation.
“Peatlands, nature’s carbon vaults, can make or break global climate goals,” said Susan Gardner, Director of the UNEP Ecosystems Division. “Found in almost every country, peatlands do not just store vast amounts of carbon, they provide essential services that millions of people rely on daily. Their protection is a fundamental investment in human wellbeing.”
17 hours ago
New body aims to reduce emissions in the buildings sector
The ICBC is a significant step toward implementing the Chaillot Declaration, a collaborative global policy framework launched in March 2024 – and endorsed by more than 70 countries – that engages stakeholders across the buildings sector in climate action.
17 hours ago
UNEP head: We must protect water, our most valuable resource
UNEP/Florian Fussstetter
UNEP Executive Secretary, Inger Andersen has highlighted the importance of protecting the world's water supplies.
Speaking at the launch of the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action, she underscored the fragility of our water systems.
"Nearly three billion people face water scarcity. Over 90 per cent of disasters are water-related, including drought, desertification, fires and floods," she said.
Andersen proposed "a dramatic shift from sectoral thinking to an economy-wide approach across the entire water cycle. Linking national water resources management processes to biodiversity, climate and development action plans is essential."
She emphasised that this will take all sections of society working together, while governments must increase finance.
"They can do this through greater certainty in policies to protect, conserve and restore freshwater ecosystems. Through efforts to manage water demand more effectively and equitably and improve cost-recovery to enable continuous maintenance and investments," she added.
18 hours ago
UN SG: Climate finance a down payment for a safer future
UN Climate Change/Kiara Worth
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged negotiators at COP29 to "soften hard lines, navigate through difference and keep your eyes on bigger picture."
Speaking as negotiations continued on the draft texts, he emphasised the role of climate finance in protecting the future of humanity.
“Finance is not a handout but an investment against devastation that unchecked climate chaos will inflict on us all, a down payment for a safer future for every nation on earth,” he said.
"This is a COP to deliver justice in face of climate catastrophe, to move us closer to securing a decent world for all humanity.”
Reflecting the reality of what has been a sometimes frustrating week, he urged action.
"I sense an appetite for agreement, but lets be frank: many substantial differences are still remaining. Success is not yet guaranteed."
