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.
Wednesday is another busy day at Asia-Pacific Climate Week, with a number of UNEP events taking place.
At 11.45am local time, this event will focus on how the mining sector can play a positive role in promoting sustainable development and structural economic transformation. This is vital when it comes to critical energy transition minerals – such as lithium, copper and cobalt – which are needed to build renewable technologies.
At 2pm, this session will focus on sustainable urban transport policy solutions and highlight concrete examples, including accelerating e-mobility in public transport, two- and three-wheelers and other non-motorized transport solutions.
At 2pm, this event will highlight the transformative potential of the private sector in driving sustainable growth through the Blue Economy, highlighting the role of the Regional Seas Programme as an avenue for dialogue and regional exchange.
At 2.15pm, this event will focus on three sectors: climate-resilient buildings, green infrastructure (such as low carbon steel and cement) and low carbon mobility. It aims to highlight the importance of international cooperation and the need to integrate the perspectives of non-party stakeholders in climate action.
The Asia-Pacific region is no stranger to climate change.
In just the past few months, it has endured droughts, record-breaking heat, and multiple super typhoons, a bout of extreme weather that experts say will only get worse as the planet warms.
This week, leaders are in Malaysia for Asia Pacific Climate Week, an event designed to explore solutions to the most pressing climatic issues facing the region.
Delegates are expected to discuss what are known as nature-based solutions, which focus on leveraging nature – and the services it provides – to build resilience to the climate crisis. Those types of solutions, which can be less expensive and more effective than built infrastructure, are expected to be crucial in the years to come.
Here is a closer look at eight such projects across Asia-Pacific.
Leaders from governments, businesses, international organizations and civil society are gathering in Malaysia this week to explore ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the climate crisis.
Asia-Pacific Climate Week is the final of the four annual regional climate weeks and the focus will be on building momentum ahead of COP28, which begins in less than three weeks.
Each of the four climate weeks focus on four areas in order to provide region-specific contributions to the global stocktake, where countries and other stakeholders will take stock of where progress is being made towards the Paris Agreement goals, and where it is not.
These 'systems-based tracks' are: energy systems and industry; cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport; land, ocean, food and water' and societies, health, livelihoods, and economies.
There are multiple events taking place this week, focusing on everything from a just energy transition to accelerating sustainable transport solutions and sustainable cooling solutions in Asia-Pacific.
Talks to develop a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution restart today at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
The discussions – which represent the third session of what is known as the International Negotiating Committee (INC-3) – come with the world experiencing a plastic pollution crisis.
Humanity produces around 430 million tonnes of plastic every year, two-thirds of which quickly becomes waste. Much of that ends up polluting land, sea and air while increasingly working its way into the human food chain.
Plastic pollution also has a huge impact on the climate. In 2019, plastic generated 1.8 billion metric tonnes of GHGs – 3.4 per cent of the global total – with 90 per cent of those emissions coming from plastic production and the conversion of fossil fuels.
So, what can we expect from the latest round of talks? Read the full story here.
Nature-based solutions will be a key topic of discussion during COP28, with the natural world – both on land and in the water – essential for limiting carbon emissions and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems.
One project, 200km north of Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, sees locals replanting mangrove trees, which thrive in the salty waters of coastlines and estuaries.
The project – led by UNEP and funded by the Global Environment Facility – is aiming to revive the district’s once-thriving mangrove forests, many of which have fallen victim to logging and cyclones.
The project’s backers are hoping the mangroves will create a buffer around local communities, shielding them from storm surges and other extreme weather linked to the climate crisis.
Read the full story here.
Asia Pacific Climate Week (APCW) starts next week from 13-17 November in Johor Bahru, hosted by the government of Malaysia.
APCW is an annual event that brings together leaders from governments, businesses, international organizations and civil society to explore ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while adapting to the mounting fallout from the climate crisis.
It is one of four annual regional climate weeks that take place throughout the year in Africa; Middle East and North Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Asia-Pacific.
APCW 2023 is organized into four areas, each focusing on specific themes:
You can find a detailed list of the week's events here.
Despite government pledges to reduce fossil fuel emissions, the 2023 Production Gap Report finds that governments plan to produce around 110 per cent more fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, and 69 per cent more than would be consistent with 2°C.
“Governments are literally doubling down on fossil fuel production; that spells double trouble for people and planet,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We cannot address climate catastrophe without tackling its root cause: fossil fuel dependence.
The Production Gap Report – first launched in 2019 – tracks the discrepancy between governments’ planned fossil fuel production and global production levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.
Download the full report here.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and COP28 have helped launch a declaration that unites faith leaders to drive climate action.
The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28 was signed earlier this week by 28 leaders from all the major religions. They committed to increased climate action and expressed “shared concern for the escalating climate impacts that imperil our cherished planet.”
UNEP will co-host a faith pavilion at COP28. The Faith Pavilion will encourage religious engagement in the climate crisis and will also showcase the Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28.
Read full Interfaith Statement for COP28.
The city of Xalapa, Mexico is bordered by more than 5,300 hectares of mountain forest, a sprawling green sponge that soaks up rainwater and slowly, predictably, releases it to residents downstream.
At least, it used to.
A combination of climate change and deforestation is ravaging Xalapa’s protective tree cover. This is threatening water supplies for around 600,000 people and leaving Xalapa’s bare slopes vulnerable to landslides.
Enter CityAdapt, an initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility. It is helping Xalapa’s residents build a protective buffer of plants and trees high in the city’s hills. This defensive shield is being paired with the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks, which are helping residents to contend with a surge in droughts, another byproduct of the climate crisis.
Read the full story here.
Today is One Health Day, an annual day to raise global awareness about the importance of One Health collaborations.
Understanding and appreciating the connections between human health, animals, and ecosystems, is needed to create a world where humans, animals, and the environment thrive together, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable planet for generations to come.
Read more about One Health Day and why it is important here.
