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.
The fossil fuel industry is not doing enough to tackle the climate crisis, United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres said earlier today.
“The fossil fuel industry – the giant behind the climate crisis – is finally starting to wake up. But the promises made clearly fall short of what’s required,” he said at COP28.
Guterres also said that while a pledge on Saturday from a number of oil and gas companies to dramatically reduce methane leaks from their pipelines by 2030 is a “step in the right direction”, the promise “falls short of what is required” – which is eliminating emissions from fossil fuel consumption.
“Science is clear: we need to phase out fossil fuels within a timeframe compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5 Celsius,” he added, mentioning that Saturday’s announcement “provided no clarity on the pathway to reaching net zero by 2050."
Guterres’ quotes come as it is revealed that CO2 emissions have risen more than at any point since 2015 when the Paris Agreement was signed. The data, from Al Gore’s Climate Trace project, also shows that methane emissions have risen.
Hosted by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, the Buildings Pavilion at COP28 is designed to be a space for businesses and policymakers to interact, a meeting place for the buildings and construction community, and a space to showcase solutions through events, presentations, exhibitions.
The construction industry accounts for 37 per cent of global CO2 emissions, and according to UNEP's 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, the sector is not on track to achieve decarbonization by 2050. Indeed, the gap between the actual climate performance of the sector and the decarbonization pathway is widening.
And with the world adding buildings equivalent to the size of Paris every five days, it is vital the industry cuts emissions fast.
There are multiple daily events being held at the Buildings Pavilion, which can be live streamed here.
Today is Science-Policy Day at COP28, which will highlight the importance of integrating key scientific findings and results in policymaking processes for achieving climate goals.
UNEP Pavilion: AMR and environment: Linking AMR and the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste
Aligned with UNEP's publication 'Bracing for Superbugs,' this event will explore the environmental dimensions of AMR, with focus on the UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on AMR in 2024.
Time: 10.30-11.15am
Watch here.
UNEP event: What we need from the Global Stocktake? Insights from the UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2023
The event will highlight key findings from the Emissions Gap Report 2023, focusing on addressing the emissions gap in 2030 and beyond. UNEP's 14th Emission Gap Report assesses the disparity between current global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trajectories and the 2030/2035 targets required for achieving the Paris Agreement's temperature goal.
Time: 11.45-12.30pm
Watch here.
On the Pathway to Decarbonize Electricity Grids
Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) is used in electricity grids and has a global warming potential 25,300 higher than CO2. SF6 emissions are strongly rising with the extension of grids and the electrification of industries. This event will see a number of experts will provide insights on the regulatory and technology requirements as well as the success case of the recently adopted EU regulation on phasing out SF6 from switchgear and discuss the pathway to phasing out SF6 for developing countries in more detail.
Time: 12.30-13.30pm
UNEP event: What Human Rights at 75 Means for Climate Justice Now
In celebration of 75 years of Human Rights, this event will explore how human rights – including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment – can reshape how states, businesses, people and courts address climate change, climate action and their impacts to achieve transformative change.
Time: 13.15-14.45pm
UNEP Pavilion: Partnering to bridge the Science-Policy Gap
Effective climate adaptation requires sound scientific knowledge, yet currently adaptation isn’t yet as effective as it should be due to the lack of innovative, validated knowledge. This session will address these issues by clarifying why this is a priority, what is adaptation effectiveness and how knowledge can and should inform better adaptation for increased effectiveness.
Time: 14.00-14.45pm
Watch here.
UNEP Pavilion: Enhancing transparency for climate action
This event will spotlight successful national practices in establishing national transparency frameworks for mitigation and adaptation, contributing to sustainable development goals and elevating climate ambition globally.
Time: 15.15-16.00pm
Watch here.
UNEP Pavilion: Addressing climate and air pollution together: A matter of health
99 per cent of the global population breathes air that does not meet WHO Guidelines. The climate crisis often shares the same pollutants and sources calling for integrated action. The event will highlight the interlinkages of climate and clean air and how targeted solutions that reduce short-climate pollutants across key sectors yield health and wider sustainable development outcomes. The event will also look at the role of political will and strategic partnerships.
Time: 16.30-17.15pm
Watch here.
UNEP event: Circularity as a game changer for climate action
This session examines key challenges and opportunities and reflects on real examples of success and best practices from the research-policy space and the real economy.
Time: 18.30-20.00pm
Watch here.
Fifty oil and gas companies have committed to setting interim targets to reduce methane emissions to 0.2 per cent of oil and natural gas production by 2030, and to end routine flaring.
Angola, Kenya, Romania, Kenya, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have also joined the Global Methane Pledge, a voluntary initiative set up at CO26 with the aim of slashing methane emissions 30 per cent by 2030. More than 150 countries have now signed up.
UNEP's Methane Alert and Response System has already notified operators of 127 major methane plumes around the world, and will monitor compliance of the new pledges.
Methane is responsible for around a third of global emissions, and while it stays in the atmosphere for a much shorter time than CO2, it is up to 80 times more powerful. While the majority of methane emissions comes from agriculture, the fossil fuel sector accounts for about 35 per cent of anthropogenic methane emissions, which is why today's announcements are so welcome.
Although the main focus of COP28 is climate change, nature plays a central role in mitigating against and adapting to the effects of the climate crisis.
UNEP research shows that land-based and marine ecosystems play a vital role in regulating the climate. They currently absorb half of the human-made carbon emissions, with the ocean and the world’s forests, mangrove and peat bogs acting as natural carbon sinks.
Forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems also act as buffers against extreme weather, protecting houses, crops, water supplies and vital infrastructure. Conserving and restoring natural spaces, both on land and in the water, is essential for limiting carbon emissions and adapting to the climate emergency.
Approximately US$133 billion per year currently flows into nature-based solutions, with public funds making up 86 per cent and private finance 14 per cent. But more urgent action is needed.
Read more about UNEP’s work with nature-based solutions here.
The Coral Reef Breakthrough Launch event marks a watershed moment in the history of global action to save the world’s most threatened ecosystem. The event will bring together state leaders, renowned experts, and private sector executives to launch the first-ever global targets for coral reefs, aiming to secure their future existence and their vast ecosystem benefits supporting more than 500 million people globally.
The United States has committed to closing all its coal-fired power plants as it announced it will join the Powering Past Coal alliance. The announcement was made by the United States' Climate Envoy John Kerry.
A new diplomatic initiative called the Coal Transition Accelerator – was also announced earlier today and will focus on ending private finance for coal, supporting local communities that have relied on coal and accelerating the development of clean energy in those regions.
To meet the Paris Agreement, unabated coal phase-out is needed no later than by 2030 in the OECD and EU, and no later than by 2040 in the rest of the world.
Coal is not only a huge driver of emissions, it causes air pollution – the cause of one in 9 deaths globally.
Earlier today United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres announced the creation of a panel focused on principles for the extraction of minerals that are “critical for the clean energy revolution.” Guterres said that their extraction “must be done in a sustainable, fair and just way."
Critical minerals are vital for a green energy transition, with cobalt, lithium and graphite used in solar panels and batteries for electric vehicles. The consumption of these minerals could increase sixfold by 2050, according to the IEA.
However, across the globe, the extraction of critical minerals comes with environmental, social, economic, geopolitical, trade, and partnership challenges.
The new panel will be made up of governments, international organizations, industry and civil society to develop common guidance for extractive industries “in the name of justice and sustainability,” Guterres added.
On Monday, UNEP will be hosting an event at COP28 on critical minerals, the energy transition and the role of trade.
In what will come as no surprise to those who had to brave the queues this morning, COP28 is set to be the most visited COP ever with more than 80,000 registered visitors. This is 30,000 more visitors than were at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh last year, which was at the time the most visited.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley called for a "global methane agreement" during this COP and says the world needs strong regulation of oil and gas companies to swiftly reduce methane releases.
"To turn down the heat, we need turn down the methane," she said at the leader's statements.
Methane is in the near term more than 80 times more powerful than C02 and methane emissions need to be reduced by about 30 per cent if the Paris Agreement goals are to be met.
There are expected to be announcements on methane during COP28, which we will publish as they come.
UNEP's An Eye on Methane Report was published yesterday and it highlighted the fact that reducing methane emissions is the fastest, most cost effective ways to slow down global warming.
