Are you sure you want to print? Save the planet. Opt not to print.
United Nations Environment Programme
News Climate Action

Spotlight on climate action

Photo: Unsplash/Tobias Rademacher

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. 

26 Oct 2023 15:21

Urban Voices: Nature-based Solutions for Inclusive and Climate-resilient Cities

Favela in Brazil
Unsplash/Thiago Japyassu

An official side-event of Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2023, this session focuses on how cities – and in particular informal settlements – can engage in adaptation actions due to their increased vulnerability. The session will also recognize the potential of these territories for the generation of innovative solutions to adaptation problems.

More details here.

Last updated at
26 Oct 2023 10:22

Latin America and Caribbean countries take the Freshwater Challenge

Tea plantations by beside upper Tana River in Kenya
UNEP/Joakim Harlin

Mexico and Colombia have organized an event at the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Climate Week today, which will present the Freshwater Challenge to LAC countries.

The Freshwater Challenge is a country-led initiative, which aims to protect and restore 300,000 km of rivers and 350 million hectares of wetlands.

The UN 2023 Water Conference in March witnessed a new political momentum for water with several countries championing and launching the Freshwater Challenge to accelerate the implementation of steps needed to protect, manage and restore such ecosystems. 

Rivers, wetlands, peatlands and mangroves have a crucial role for climate adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity, food security, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.

You can join in the event online here at 10AM (EST). 

Last updated at
25 Oct 2023 07:41

Championing Sustainable Cooling towards a Cool COP28

Air conditioners on a building
Unsplash/Kevin Jiner

An official side-event at the 35th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP35), this event focuses on cooling, which is one of the most critical blind spots in today’s climate debate and one of the biggest contributors to global warming.

Cooling uses refrigerants, which generate emissions. If left unchecked, emissions from cooling are expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, driven by heat waves, population growth, urbanization, and a growing middle class.

More details here .

Last updated at
24 Oct 2023 09:31

Arab Forum for Environment

Omani capital, Muscat
Unsplash/Arisa S

Taking place in the Oman capital, Muscat, this event will focus on the climate challenges around water and food security. The Arab Forum for Environment is an important platform to address water scarcity across the Middle East, a problem that is being exacerbated by climate change.

A rising population in the region – estimated to reach approximately 700 million by 2050 –along with more intense droughts are intensifying pressure on water resources, which also weakens food security.

More details here.

Last updated at
23 Oct 2023 14:12

Inside a research centre tracking the fallout from the climate crisis

arial shot of flooding
AFP/Miguel J Rodriguez Carrillo

The past few months have been another stark reminder that the climate crisis is getting worse.

Wildfires devastated Hawaii, Canada, and the Canary Islands. Antarctic Sea ice reached its lowest extent since records began in 1978. Multiple ocean heatwaves baked the world’s seas, and June, July, August and September all broke monthly temperature records.

One United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) centre monitoring these events is the Global Resource Information Database – Geneva (GRID-Geneva). Set up in 1985, it is a partnership between UNEP, the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and the University of Geneva.

Read the full article here. 

Last updated at
23 Oct 2023 09:59

Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2023 opens today

Panama City
Unsplash/Darren Miller

Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW) opens today in Panama City, Panama. It is an annual event that brings together leaders from governments, businesses, international organizations and civil society to explore ways to boost regional climate action. reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the mounting fallout from the climate crisis.

The third of four regional climate weeks taking place this year, LACCW 2023 is organized into four areas, each focusing on specific themes:

  • Energy systems and industry
  • Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport
  • Land, ocean, food and water
  • Societies, health, livelihoods, and economies

LACCW 2023 is taking place from today until 27 October.

More details here.

Last updated at
20 Oct 2023 12:11

In the face of drought and conflict, a project helps Sudanese villages capture scarce rainwater

A dam in Darfur
UNEP

Tackling water scarcity will be a focus of COP28, with December 10 a thematic day focused on food, agriculture and water.

One UNEP-led project in North Darfur highlights the profound effect water management can have on local communities. Among the project’s goals is the rehabilitation of a dam and the construction of two weirs. Weirs can provide drinking water, recharge groundwater levels, counter erosion by slowing a river’s flow and reduce the impact of disasters, such as drought.

You can read the full article here. 

Last updated at
19 Oct 2023 11:33

How communal loans are helping Antigua and Barbuda brace for hurricanes

Aerial view of Antigua
UNEP/Marcus Nield

The Caribbean island of Barbuda still bears the battle scars of its most brutal encounter with climate change. In 2017, Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 leviathan of unprecedented power, roared across its pristine turquoise waters.

The island’s only storm shelter collapsed, with 300 people hiding inside. Around 95 per cent of Barbuda’s buildings were wrecked, including homes, schools and critical infrastructure.

Read the full article here.

Last updated at
16 Oct 2023 12:09

Youth4Climate: Sparking Solutions 2023

Event card

The World Bank's Youth4Climate: Sparking Solutions 2023 will be held in Rome from 17-19 October 2023.

The three-day event features a series of panel and group discussions, workshops, and presentations led by both youth and partners. Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers, learn from experts in the field, and present their innovative climate solutions across four key thematic areas (energy, food and agriculture, urban sustainability and climate education) for the chance to win a USD $20,000 prize.

More details

Last updated at
10 Oct 2023 19:41

Make Your Voice Heard on the Path to COP28

Event poster with young people
Image: Connect4Climate

Connect4Climate and partners are launching an all-new youth-led webinar series that will provide a valuable space for intergenerational exchange.

Young people and experts on different areas of climate will come to the stage to exchange insights from their respective climate journeys, offer one another guidance and encouragement, and cultivate a sense of global community. The participatory program will empower attendees to take their climate action to the next level and give them the confidence they need heading into this year’s COP28 climate conference in Dubai.

Launching on October 11, the series will consist of three interrelated 90-minute episodes:

  • “Taking a Seat at the Negotiating Table”
  • “Bringing Youth-Led Local Action to the Global Climate Agenda”
  •  “Envisioning the COP of Our Dreams”

Register for the highly interactive and engaging episodes.

Last updated at
Topics

Related Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1

Goal 1: No Poverty
+

Goal 7

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
+

Goal 11

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
+

Goal 12

Goal 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production
+

Goal 13

Goal 13: Climate Action
+

Goal 14

Goal 14: Life Below Water
+

Goal 15

Goal 15: Life on Land
+
Learn about our work
Sign up for updates
Get involved
Agriculture
Did you know?
80 per cent of agricultural land is used for livestock feed.

© 2024 UNEP Terms of Use Privacy Report Project Concern Report Scam Contact Us