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.
27 Nov
2023
11:26
Loss and damage photo exhibition to launch at COP28
The exhibition will officially launch on 1 December at 6.30pm in side event room 2 of the Blue Zone across from Meeting Room 8. Visitors can also drop by the exhibition anytime during COP28.
24 Nov
2023
11:17
What’s the difference between the Green Zone and the Blue Zone at COPs
Unsplash/Saj Shafique
Every COP has a Green Zone and a Blue Zone but it’s sometimes confusing what happens where and what the difference is.
In short, the Green Zone is open to everyone, the public (if they have tickets), delegates and guests of the Blue Zone, the public and private sector and NGOs.
COP28 will be held in Dubai this year at Expo City where the Blue Zone and Green Zone will be right next to each other.
22 Nov
2023
13:01
Climate finance set to take centre stage at COP28
Unsplash/Illiya Vjestica
Climate finance will be a key topic of discussion during COP28, with pressure growing on developed countries to implement the US$100 billion year in climate finance promised to developing countries at COP15 back in 2010.
As highlighted in UNEP's recent Adaptation Gap Report, the current adaptation finance gap is now estimated to be US$194-366 billion per year. It also found that adaptation finance needs of developing countries are 10-18 times as big as international public finance flows. This is over 50 per cent higher than the previous range estimate.
Another key finance-related topic at COP28 is the Loss and Damage Fund, which refers to the unavoidable impacts of climate change that go beyond what communities can adapt to.
There hope that countries will agree on the scale and source of funding and start releasing funds to the countries most effected by the climate crisis.
UNEP will publish its State of Finance for Nature Report during COP28 which will highlight finance short flows when it comes to sustainable land use.
It requires fundamental shifts in the incentives provided by governments, such as through fiscal policies and trade agreements, as well as the will to act by agribusinesses, traders and financiers towards nature- and climate- positive land use.
Yet, current finance flows to Nature-based Solution are US$200 billion, only a third of levels needed to reach climate, biodiversity and land degradation targets.
UNEP's Emissions Gap Report shows world heading for nearly 3°C temperature rise
UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report, released yesterday, shows the world is off-track to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. The report finds that the world is heading for a 2.5°C to 2.9°C temperature rise above pre-industrial levels this century, which would result in catastrophic effects around the world.
The annual Emissions Gap Report charts the difference between national pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the reductions required to keep the global temperature rise well below 2°C by the end of this century, in line with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.
September was the hottest recorded month ever, with global average temperatures 1.8°C above pre-industrial levels, and extreme weather events caused by climate change have become more frequent in recent years.
The report – first published in 2010 – also features solutions for bridging this emissions gap. It has gained a reputation as an authoritative source of timely, policy-relevant information that has informed the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The 23rd annual meeting of the Regional Seas Programme is beginning today in Barbados. The meeting, organised by UNEP, is a coordination mechanism of the eighteen regional seas conventions and action plans.
Established in 1974, the Regional Seas Programme brings together governments, the private sector and civil society in a bid to protect the marine and coastal environment.
This week provides a platform for adoption of global strategies for cooperation, channelling UNEP support to the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans and will attempt to reach agreement on important marine and coastal environment-related issues.
UNEP highlights lessons learned from global adaptation projects
UNDP
How countries – particularly developing countries – adapt to the climate crisis will be a key issue during COP28.
Last week UNEP launched a new policy brief on adaptation, providing a snapshot summary of lessons learned from various UNEP adaptation projects.
National Adaptation Planning: Emerging Lessons Learned from UNEP Projects focuses particularly on six countries that have progressed the furthest in their National Adaptation Plans – Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Iraq, Nepal, São Tomé and Principe, and Zimbabwe.
Learn more about National Adaptation Plans and why they're so important here.
17 Nov
2023
11:32
How much do you know about food loss and waste?
Unsplash/Oren Elbaz
Sunday, December 10 is Food Systems Day at COP28, with a focus on how the production, consumption, and disposal of food has a huge effect on the climate and the environment.
UNEP will publish its Food Waste Index Report on that day, which will highlight the sheer volume of food being wasted around the world.
The 2021 report estimated that 8-10 per cent of global emissions are associated with food that is not consumed.
So, how much do you know about the global food system? Why not take this quiz and find out.
16 Nov
2023
18:45
Happening on Friday: Asia-Pacific Climate Week events
Unsplash/Joshua Kettle
Friday sees a number of UNEP events on the final day of Asia-Pacific Climate Week.
At 9am local time, this event aims to enhance the understanding of the needs of youth and older people in urban areas when it comes to climate adaptation. Participants will also discuss barriers in bringing generations together and highlight solutions in building inclusive urban resilience.
At 9am, this event aims to shape region-wide priorities essential for accelerating transformative adaptation, while making progress in addressing both adaptation and loss and damage within the context of the Global Stocktake and the Global Goal on Adaptation.
Energy efficiency is a vital part of tackling the climate crisis, and this event, at 9am, will explore energy efficiency in Asia and the Pacific. It will also examine the role of governments, industry, consumers and finance, while topics, such as energy pricing, system integration, affordability and technology innovation will be covered.
At 10.30am-11.30am, Just Transition towards regional net-zero climate-resilient development will examine how climate resilient development can be fair and equitable to all.
16 Nov
2023
11:20
Emissions Gap Report launching on Monday
Unsplash/Ryoji Iwata
The Emissions Gap Report will be launched on Monday November 20, providing a detailed look at the difference between national pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the reductions required to keep the global temperature rise in line with Paris Agreement goals.
In addition to providing an update on where global greenhouse gas emissions are heading and where they should be, the report will focus on energy transitions in low- and middle-income countries and looks at the role of carbon dioxide removal in bridging the emissions gap.
It is the one of three climate-related 'Gap' reports released in the run-up to COP28.
So, why are these reports so important? Read this to find out.
15 Nov
2023
19:07
Happening on Thursday: Investing in locally led adaptation enhancing resilience
UNEP
Taking place at 9am local time, this Asia-Pacific Climate Week side event brings together experts, practitioners and locally-led adaptation (LLA) implementers to elaborate on the scale of the needs, opportunities and barriers faced when accessing adaptation finance.
This session will explore how local communities can attract adaptation finance, while understanding that there is no one-size-fits all approach to climate adaptation.
