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. 

18 Nov 2024 13:01

The Caribbean nation at the forefront of the climate litigation push

Boats in a harbour
Image: Pexels/Julia Volk

Countries most affected by climate change – as well as citizens and non-profit groups – are increasingly turning to courts to compel governments and fossil fuel producers to address the climate crisis.

One Caribbean nation, Antigua and Barbuda, is at the forefront of this push. It has backed a UN General Assembly resolution requesting the International Court of Justice to weigh in on the obligations of states in respect of climate change.

Read about how this Caribbean nation put itself at the forefront of the climate litigation push.

Last updated at
18 Nov 2024 11:55

Listen now: new episode of UNEP’s adaptation podcast

The Resilience podcast
The Global Adaptation

Young people have been leading the charge when it comes to calling attention to the climate crisis and in driving innovative solutions that speak to local and global realities. 
 
In the latest episode of UNEP’s adaptation podcast, the CEO of the Global Environment Facility, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez discusses the importance of engaging the youth in climate action at COP29 and beyond. Also hear from South African student Zanele Luthuli on how a new youth movement called EPIC-Network is training the next generation of adaptation experts. 

Last updated at
18 Nov 2024 10:00

Final talks on plastic pollution to start next week

Colored plastic lids
Krizjohn Rosales/Pexels

This day next week the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5) will start in Busan, Republic of Korea. The hope is that an agreement will be reached that is based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design, and disposal. With plastics causing 3.4 per cent of global emissions in 2019, it’s vital that progress is made in Busan. 

Last updated at
18 Nov 2024 09:15

On now: Adaptation Gap Report 2024 findings

Birds eye view of sitting bench
Marco Oriolesi/Unsplash

This UNEP side event features high-level opening remarks from UNEP’s Executive Director, UNFCCC’s Executive Secretary, and the Special Adviser to the UN Secretariat General on Climate Action and Just Transition and a presentation of the key findings of the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2024. This is followed by a panel discussion focusing on the importance of closing the enormous adaptation finance gap

Last updated at
18 Nov 2024 08:23

On now: Event aims to tackle Caspian Sea decline

Boat on a beach
MohammadReza Jelveh/Unsplash

The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed water body on Earth. It has a unique ecosystem with 400 endemic species facing a number of threats, including coastal zone degradation, habitat destruction and pollution from oil and gas production. This Caspian Sea Ministerial event aims to address the pressing issue of long-standing sea level decline induced by climate change in the Caspian Sea. Time: 09.00-10.30. 

Last updated at
18 Nov 2024 07:13

COP29 resumes with focus on human development, children, health and education

COP29
UN Climate Change - Kiara Worth

After yesterday’s rest day, COP29 is back in full swing ahead of what promises to be a very busy week in Baku. This event highlights what is needed from the next NDCs, using insights from the latest UNEP Emissions Gap Report and UNFCCC NDC Synthesis Report. UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Andersen and the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell will both underscore the importance of the reports and what they mean for climate action. The Global Cooling Pledge marks the world’s first collective effort to reduce cooling related emissions across all sectors by at least 68 per cent globally by 2050. This event will showcase what has been achieved so far and what needs to happen for the aims of the Pledge to be achieved. Clean air is a fundamental right, yet 1 in 6 people die because of air pollution every year. This event will highlight the importance of an integrated approach on climate and clean air, Azerbaijan’s State Program for Improving Air Quality for 2024-2030, and how regional cooperation on air quality and ambitious national legislation on clean air can help move the needle on cutting air pollution. 

Last updated at
16 Nov 2024 16:43

UNEP executive head: strong movement on finance and ambitious NDCs needed

Last updated at
16 Nov 2024 15:22

The ocean is hotter than ever. Here's why

turtle
Pexels/Belle Co

While much of talk in Baku is about the warming atmosphere - with 2024 set to be the warmest year on record - the ocean is also heating up. Last year saw the hottest ocean temperatures ever recorded, a trend that set to continue this year. 

So, why is the ocean heating up and what does that mean for the climate and for marine life?

This article explains all.

 

Last updated at
16 Nov 2024 14:07

Five ways innovators are making farming easier on the planet

farm innovation
JustDiggit/Godlove Kihupi

Innovation is not just being used in the battle against climate change, but also to help stop biodiversity loss. With global agricultural production having more than tripled between 1960 and 2015, leading to the clearing of forests, grasslands and other natural spaces, and spurring a wave of land degradation, this is very much needed.  

Here are five ways non-profit groups and farmers around the world are working to make agriculture more planet friendly. 

Last updated at
16 Nov 2024 13:07

UN Climate head: climate action means more jobs and economic growth

UNFCCC ES
UN Climate Change/Habib Samadov

Climate action is a win-win, resulting in "stronger growth, more jobs, less pollution, and more secure and affordable energy." That is UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell's message to the G20 ahead of the G20 Leader's Summit next week in Brazil.

While acknowledging that there was much work to do on achieving climate finance goals at COP29, he pointed out that "two trillion dollars will flow to clean energy and infrastructure this year alone. Double what’s gone to fossil fuels."

He called on G20 leaders to ensure more "grant and concessional finance will be available" as well as reforms of multilateral development banks and ensuring debt relief for developing countries so they can take bolder climate action.

He added that "G20 Leaders must signal loud and clear that international cooperation is still the best and only chance humanity has to survive global heating. There is no other way."
 

 

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
Fresh Water
Did you know?
Freshwater makes up only 2 per cent of all water.

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