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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. 

30 Aug 2023 21:13

Stronger, more frequent cyclones becoming the norm

UNEP Executive Director Mission to Malawi
Photo: UNEP/Miranda Grant

Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi are expected to be among the countries hardest hit as cyclones in the Indian Ocean get stronger and more frequent, which scientists attribute to climate change.

Helping communities adapt to those superstorms is expected to be a central issue at the 2023 Africa Climate Week and Summit. UNEP is working with local governments, other UN agencies and humanitarian partners to find nature-based solutions to combat flooding, landslides and other fallout from cyclones.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen visited Malawi, still reeling from February’s Cyclone Freddy, to see how the country could benefit from those protections.

Last updated at
30 Aug 2023 18:05

New laws could unlock spate of investments in Earth-friendly industries

Rush hour in Nairobi CBD
Photo: UNEP/Duncan Moore

Africa’s policymakers could bolster economic growth and create tens of millions of jobs by developing regulations that encourage businesses to invest in ecologically friendly ventures, according to a new report from UNEP.

The Africa Environment Outlook for Business finds the continent has tremendous potential in renewable energy and other sectors that could help counter climate change, nature loss and pollution. But legislative gaps often discourage firms from branching out into those areas.

The report, released earlier in August, features a series of policy recommendations and stories of successful planet-friendly businesses from across Africa.

Last updated at
29 Aug 2023 20:58

Tapping into Africa’s immense clean energy potential

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen visits the Noor power plant in Morocco
Photo: UNEP/Duncan Moore

Access to clean energy is one of the major challenges to be discussed at this year’s Africa Climate Week. With its vast solar, wind, hydro and geothermal resources, Africa can become a trailblazer in renewable energy solutions.

The Noor power plant in Morocco near the town of Ouarzazate on the edge of the Sahara Desert is one of the largest solar facilities in the world. It produces enough electricity to power the homes of 2.3 million people.

UNEP is working to promote renewable energy projects across the continent. Executive Director Inger Andersen recently visited one such project.

Last updated at
28 Aug 2023 16:56

Tackling Africa’s methane emissions

Gas extraction near Port-Gentil, Gabon
Photo: AFP

The oil and gas sector in Africa has grown in the last several decades. But, there is still a shortage of scientific data on methane emissions from Africa’s offshore oil and gas sector.

UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory hopes to change that with a new study that charts how much methane is spilling from wells off the coast of Angola and Gabon.

Reducing methane emissions is one of the most effective steps the energy sector can take to help tackle the climate crisis.

To learn more about UNEP’s study in Gabon and Angola, watch this video.

Last updated at
28 Aug 2023 12:50

Adaptation, a central issue at the upcoming Africa Climate Week

Flooded agricultural land in Africa
Photo: UNEP/Joakim Harlin

Africa, with its 30,500km coastline is especially vulnerable to climate change.

Fringed with fragile ecosystems, the continent faces rising seas and extreme weather risks.

Experts say the continent of 1.3 billion is ill prepared for the worst impacts of the climate crisis, which has claimed lives, hampered food production and sparked water shortages. Helping communities adapt to this crisis will be central to Africa Climate Week 2023.

A project supported by UNEP is helping restore mangrove forests to protect coastal communities in Mozambique from devastating cyclones such as Cyclone Freddy and Idai. Read the full story.

Last updated at
25 Aug 2023 12:24

Nature is an ally in the fight against climate change

Women in southern Mozambique plant mangrove seedling.


Photo: UNEP/Artan Jama
https://cdn.unenvironment.org/s3fs-public/inline-images/R6M23461.jpg">

Africa contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is one of the regions hardest hit by climate change. From Mozambique and Somalia to Zambia and Nigeria, climate change is impacting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people.



However, many are turning to nature for help. Through nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration such planting trees and mangrove and peatland restorations, many countries in Africa are working on projects that mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture, drought and rising sea levels.



Despite the effectiveness of ecosystem-based adaptation, international adaptation finance flows to developing countries are 5-10 times below estimated needs and the gap is widening, according to UNEP’s 2022 Adaptation Gap Report.



Read the full story here.

Last updated at
25 Aug 2023 09:55

Africa grapples with new climate normal

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen visits Garissa County
Photo: UNEP

For many African countries, climate change is not a future threat. It’s a present-day crisis.

East Africa has been particularly hard hit by the longest and most severe drought in recent history, which scientists say is exacerbated by climate change.

In November 2022, The United Nations Environment Programme’s Executive Director Inger Andersen visited one of the hardest hit areas, Garissa County in North Eastern Kenya, and appealed to the international community to step-up its solidarity with the 4.3 million drought-affected people.

Watch the video of her visit here.

Last updated at
24 Aug 2023 12:35

Africa Climate Week comes to Kenya

Nairobi skyline
Photo: Unsplash/Amani Nation

Bringing together leaders from governments, businesses, international organizations and civil society, this year's Africa Climate Week (ACW) will take place from 4-8 September in Nairobi.

Hosted by the government of Kenya, it will be held alongside the Africa Climate Summit, which runs from 4-6 September.

The ACW will see countries explore ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while adapting to the mounting fallout from the climate crisis. Among other things, the ACW 2023 will focus on energy systems, urban infrastructure, the transport sector, and food and water security.

Keep checking this feed for live updates.

Last updated at
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Related Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1

Goal 1: No Poverty
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Goal 7

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
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Goal 11

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
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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
+
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