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.
Below are climate-related news and events from the United Nations and partners.
21 March is International Day of Forests. Forests are more than a network of trees—they are vital, complex ecosystems essential to life on Earth.
Efforts are underway to channel more finance to Indigenous communities that conserve, restore and sustainably manage forests.
WMO’s State of the Global Climate report confirmed that 2024 was likely the first calendar year to be more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era, with a global mean near-surface temperature of 1.55 ± 0.13 °C above the 1850-1900 average. This is the warmest year in the 175-year observational record.
“While a single year above 1.5 °C of warming does not indicate that the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement are out of reach, it is a wake-up call that we are increasing the risks to our lives, economies and to the planet,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
To help communities cope with water-related disasters, the UNEP and several partners launched a pilot project to build flood-resilient homes across the country. So far, the effort – also supported by the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre and BRAC, an international development organization – has built 37 residences.
UNEP and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) launched its annual Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024/2025: Not just another brick in the wall.
The report finds that emissions from building sector stopped rising for the first time since 2020. A growing number of countries are working to decarbonize buildings, but sluggish progress and financing puts global climate goals at risk. The report calls for greater ambition on six challenges, including building energy codes, renewable energy, and financing.
The Nigerian government has approved new Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and energy labelling for air conditioners to improve energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, benefitting families and business on their electricity bills while reducing impacts on the power grid and the planet. Air conditioners are among the most energy-intensive appliances, accounting for over 40 per cent of household electricity usage, and much of that is wasted due to outdated technology.
This newly approved standard is aligned with international best practices and will help ensure that Nigeria is home to modern appliances with energy savings that can be redirected for further productive uses. Nigeria is one of the largest air conditioners markets in Africa, so this landmark development will have profound impacts both within the country and more broadly in the region, building momentum for similar actions in other markets.
This initiative, developed under the project "Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria's NDC Revision" is a collaborative effort between the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) United for Efficiency (U4E) team, with funding from the Clean Cooling Collaborative (CCC) The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) also played a crucial role in this development and the implementation that will continue henceforth.
The Climate and Clean Air Conference 2025 is set to take place from March 16–21, 2025, in Brasília, Brazil.
This year’s theme, “Accelerating Action on Super Pollutants: The Road to COP30,” highlights the urgent need for decisive action. The event will bring together country representatives, global experts, and changemakers, united with over 180 partners, to drive accelerated solutions for mitigating super pollutants and safeguarding our planet’s future.
From 12 to 13 March 2025, Bridgetown, Barbados emerged as a global stage for energy and climate action. Co-hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Government of Barbados, the SEforALL Global Forum 2025 rallied leaders, policymakers, and industry innovators under the theme “Sustainable Energy for Equity, Security, and Prosperity.” Discussions spotlighted bold strategies to expand energy access, increase clean energy investments, and strengthen climate resilience.
A key highlight was the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Ministerial Roundtable, “Small Islands, Big Solutions,” which underscored the urgency of securing climate finance and expediting sustainable energy transitions. UNEP's Global Cooling Pledge was showcased as a pivotal tool for climate resilience and energy equity, especially in heat-exposed regions like SIDS. With cooling demand projected to triple by 2050, delegates emphasized the need to embed cooling solutions in climate finance mechanisms and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Having already gained over 70 Signatories committed to at least a 68% reduction in cooling-related emissions by 2050, the Pledge hinges on passive cooling, energy efficiency, and refrigerant transition to confront rising temperatures worldwide.
Looking ahead to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, the momentum sparked at SEforALL will guide stronger national climate action plans (NDCs 3.0) and ensure that sustainable cooling solutions remain front and center in global climate policy. UNEP, in partnership with SIDS and other international stakeholders, remains committed to weaving climate-friendly cooling into national energy strategies—securing a cooler, more resilient future for all.
According to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency could provide around 40 per cent of the greenhouse gas reductions needed to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
TEVMOT, a project funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented with technical assistance from UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E) has replaced 363 motors at 48 small businesses across Türkiye saving about 1.5 gigawatt hours of electricity a year, preventing the release of 685 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
Energy efficiency efforts like that are expected to be a topic of conversation when leaders gather in Barbados for the 2025 SEforALL Global Forum, co-hosted by the Sustainable Energy for All initiative and the Government of Barbados, led by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day, we highlight both the significant progress and the ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality within the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector, known globally as HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration). Initiatives from around the world, including countries such as Grenada, North Macedonia, Sierra Leone, Armenia and Peru, are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable industry.
The RAC sector, traditionally male-dominated, is undergoing a major transformation thanks to the dedication and talent of women. It is crucial to break down existing barriers and foster opportunities for women to thrive in this field through specialised training and the development of advanced skills.
Today in Nairobi, UNEP and UN-Habitat Executive Directors revived the Greener Cities Partnership, which has driven sustainable urban development since 1990.
This renewed partnership highlights the complementary mandates of UNEP's environmental sustainability expertise and UN-Habitat's leadership in urban development, coming together to help cities become greener, more resilient, and more inclusive.
This partnership embodies the upcoming fundraising efforts focused on informality and climate within sustainable urban development, while also unfolding daily through ongoing projects, cooperation, and knowledge exchange on critical issues such as waste management, sustainable buildings, and urban mobility and transport. Together, they are shaping a comprehensive approach to the complexities of urban sustainability.
This complements the recent conclusion of the UrbanShift Africa Forum, which launched the Roadmap on Sustainable Finance for Global South Cities to help cities cut emissions, and an open letter from African mayors urging national governments to finance sustainable urban development and increase climate resilience.
