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.
UNEP’s Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction launched today and highlights the rising influence of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and biophilic design in shaping sustainable urban landscapes. The report revealed that leveraging ecosystem functions – such as climate regulation, water purification, and habitat creation – Nature-based Solutions contribute to improved air and water quality, support biodiversity, and mitigate the urban heat island effect.
At the Buildings and Climate Forum taking place in Paris, organisations worldwide are highlighting sustainable building projects and solutions. The booths of UNEP-hosted GlobalABC and Cool Coalition underscore the role of zero-emission and resilient buildings and passive cooling solutions.
The buildings and construction sector is not on track to decarbonise by 2050, according to a new report from UNEP and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction.
The report - Beyond Foundations - Mainstreaming sustainable solutions to cut emissions from the buildings sector - reviews the status of policies, finance, technologies, and solutions to monitor whether the building sector is aligned with the Paris Agreement goals.
“There is no credible path to address climate change without a fundamental shift in the building and construction sector. Now is the time for governments and industries to deliver real-world emission reductions through a true buildings breakthrough,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
The report outlines what is required:
The Buildings and Climate Global Forum starts today in Paris, aiming to drive building sector decarbonisation to limit warming to 1.5°C. The buildings and construction sector was responsible for 21 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, so it’s vital that the industry works towards decarbonisation and energy efficiency.
The two-day event—organised by France and UNEP—will include CEO and ministerial roundtables, exhibitions, and pitches and provide participants with the opportunity to discuss building decarbonisation and resilience. Governments will also be invited to endorse a framework for global efforts to achieve decarbonisation and climate change resilience in the building sector.
Follow the live feed for updates from Paris throughout the event.
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In a momentous occasion led by Rwanda's Environment Minister, Dr. Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamariya, Africa celebrated the official opening of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) in Kigali. This marks a significant stride in the quest for sustainable cooling solutions across the continent.
A collaborative effort involving UNEP U4E, and partners such as Rwanda and the United Kingdom, ACES aims to revolutionize cold-chain solutions in Africa. Its focus on developing affordable, resilient, and equitable cooling systems is paramount in addressing pressing issues such as food security, economic stability, and public health.
Key features of ACES include an environmental test chamber for certifying equipment tailored to African needs, extensive demonstration of cold-chain equipment, state-of-the-art training facilities, and inclusive courses.
At the heart of ACES lies a commitment to accelerating the deployment of sustainable cold-chain solutions through innovative approaches. This includes the establishment of specialized outreach and knowledge establishments (SPOKEs) across Africa, where transformative solutions will be demonstrated in rural communities.
UN member States took a decisive step towards sustainable low carbon mobility with the adoption on 23 February of the Inland Transport Committee’s (ITC) Strategy on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Inland Transport.
Transport is a large contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for some 23% of annual GHG emissions. Thus, rapid and ambitious climate action by the inland transport sector is imperative.
The strategy aims to transform the way inland transport is approached globally, and to set a medium- and long-term course towards carbon neutrality by 2050, based on the 61 United Nations legal instruments under ITC’s purview.
Read more on the global decarbonization strategy in transport.
Growing populations, urbanization and rising living standards in the 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries is driving an increased demand for cooling products.
To tackle this problem, the region has formally approved harmonized regional Minimum Energy Performance Standards for these products and they have been officially disseminated to the member states for the commencement of national implementation.
The projected impact of these standards is substantial, with an estimated electricity saving of nearly 8 TWh by 2040, almost equivalent to the output of four large (500 MW) power plants and a reduction of CO2 emissions by 6.5 million tonnes. Consumers are anticipated to save approximately US$840 million annually on their electricity bills.
Along with being one of Pakistan’s largest libraries, Raziuddin Siddiqi Memorial Library is unique for another reason: on entering the building one won’t hear the tell-tale flicker of fluorescent lights.
That is because the library has replaced all 103 of the fluorescent tubes on its ground floor with energy-efficient light-emitting-diodes (LEDs), part of a complete overhaul of its lighting system. The LEDs use around one-quarter the power of the library’s old setup and provide better illumination.
The library lighting overhaul was part of a larger project supported by the UNEP, the Global Environment Facility and the Pakistan National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
Delegates will gather for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), the world’s top decision-making body on the environment from 26 February to 1 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The assembly brings together 193 Member States, intergovernmental organizations, the broader UN system, civil society groups, the scientific community and the private sector to shape global environmental policy.
Delegates are expected to discuss how multilateralism can help tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
