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.
02 Dec
2023
17:04
Why nature is needed to fight the climate crisis
Unsplash/Ashley Inguanta
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.
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.
02 Dec
2023
12:54
Critical Minerals Panel announced by UN Secretary General
Unsplash/Moritz Kindler
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.
02 Dec
2023
12:21
COP28 most visited COP in history
COP28/Walaa Alshaer
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.
02 Dec
2023
11:37
Barbados PM: "To turn down the heat, we need turn down the methane"
Unsplash/Anne Nygard
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.
02 Dec
2023
11:20
Why Blue Ecosystems Matter
Unsplash/Benjamin L Jones
Blue ecosystems – including kelp forests, mangroves, seagrass meadows and coral reefs – are vital for biodiversity, fighting the effects of climate change as well as providing food and income to millions around the world.
Yet these crucial habitats are increasingly threatened, which would have devastating effects on both people and planet.
Today is Blue Ecosystems Day at COP28, with a range of events focusing on its importance when it comes to fighting climate change.
UNEP Pavilion: Measuring progress in addressing drought risk and impacts: the role of ecosystem-based approaches
This event will highlight perspectives from climate-vulnerable communities and decision-makers, emphasizing locally led adaptation for climate resilience and sparking a broader policy conversation on measuring progress in ecosystem-based adaptation to address drought risks globally.
UNEP Pavilion: Unlocking sustainable investment in nature-based solutions for climate action
This event will advocate for the cost-effectiveness of nature-based solutions in addressing climate resilience challenges and will highlight their economic benefits. It will also showcase cutting-edge climate adaptation practices, such as the production of wetland crops on former drained peatlands.
UNEP Pavilion: Partnerships to improve blue carbon market integrity
This event will highlight a variety of national experiences in order to foster a deeper understanding of the opportunities and risks inherent in the blue carbon market. It will also emphasize the importance of partnerships between countries and across sectors, including the private sector and civil society.
UNEP Pavilion: EMG high-level dialogue on strengthening UN system climate actions
Heads of UN entities – including UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and UNFCCC Executive Director, Simon Stiell – will reflect on the support, cooperation and solutions the UN system is offering parties to the UNFCCC in terms of effective climate action and its interlinkages with other key areas of sustainable development.
UNEP Pavilion: Launch of the coral reef breakthrough
The High-level Coral Reef Breakthrough Launch event will mark 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.
Climate change driving instability globally, says UNEP Executive Director
UNEP/Duncan Moore
The world is getting a "failing grade" in its efforts to slow climate change, which is breeding instability in a growing number of countries, said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen during an event on climate change and security at COP28 today.
Andersen said floods, droughts and famines are inflicting misery on millions, driving people from their homes and threatening peace. "Climate change is not something we can build walls around," she said.
Putting the right to a healthy environment in practice
UNEP/Duncan Moore
The world must move from advocacy and the recognition of the right to a healthy environment to strong and rapid implementation, UNEP Executive Secretary Inger Andersen told guests at COP28 today.
Andersen was speaking at the UNEP event: Human Right to a Healthy Environment: What Next?
"Our task now is to transition from advocacy and recognition to strong and rapid implementation. If nations implement this right fully, it will change so much – by empowering action on the triple planetary crisis, providing a more predictable and consistent global regulatory environment for businesses, and protecting those who defend nature," she said.
She also detailed what we mean when we talk about the right to a healthy environment: "Substantive elements include clean air. A safe and stable climate. Access to safe water and adequate sanitation. Healthy and sustainably produced food. Non-toxic environments in which to live, work, study and play. Healthy biodiversity and ecosystems. Procedural elements include access to information, the right to participate in decision-making, and access to justice and effective remedies – including the exercise of these rights free from reprisals. These are the elements upon which we must focus our efforts."
Andersen also highlighted the vital role indigenous peoples and environmental human rights defenders have played in the past few decades.
