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.
13 Nov
2024
10:00
New Adaptation podcast showcases amazing projects around the world
Climate-resilient Buildings
UNEP has launched a climate adaptation podcast that brings you inspiring stories from people all over the world who are adapting to climate change in practical, creative and innovative ways. Resilience: The Global Adaptation Podcast highlights projects ranging from award-winning African architects changing the future of climate-resilient buildings to how AI is helping farmers grow food in tough conditions. Each episode will (hopefully) restore some hope about the future.
Emissions Gap Report 2024 shows scale of climate challenge
UNEP
Countries need to cut 42 per cent off annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 57 per cent by 2035 in order to keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal possible, according to UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report, which was released last month. Countries updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are due to be submitted early next year ahead of the COP30 climate talks in Brazil. UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024: No more hot air … please! finds that a failure to increase ambition in these new NDCs and start delivering immediately would put the world on course for a temperature increase of 2.6-3.1°C over the course of this century, causing devastating impacts to people, planet and economies.
13 Nov
2024
09:00
Launch of new buildings sector accelerator
Pexels/Pixabay
This event sees the launch of the Zero Emissions and Resilient Buildings (ZERB) Accelerator, a new initiative to reduce emissions and strengthen climate resilience in the buildings sector.
Launched by the Subnational Climate Action Leaders’ Exchange (SCALE) partnership, the ZERB Accelerator will bring together a global cohort of leading cities, states, and regions committed to ambitious goals for mitigation and resilience in the buildings sector.
The initiative will coordinate and align with efforts under the Buildings Breakthrough — a global initiative to decarbonize the building sector and make clean technologies accessible and affordable by 2030 – as well as the UNEP-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (Global ABC) and its Subnational Stakeholders Action Group.
13 Nov
2024
09:00
World Leaders Summit continues as pace intensifies in Baku
COP29 Azerbaijan
Today sees a host of events taking place at COP29, the most high-profile of which is the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, which will see world leaders continue to present national statements on how they are attempting to achieve the Paris Agreement targets. Leaders will also sit for round-table discussions, with today’s talks expected to be heavily focused on climate finance, and particularly unlocking finance for countries’ adaptation needs.
Other events on today include this side event at the Faith Pavilion will feature a discussion about the current science and policy gaps for effective measures to avert, minimize and address loss and damage; this UNEP-led event on what was learned at the NDCs 3.0 Regional Fora, with a focus on providing a platform for countries to share experiences and exchange challenges and opportunities in the preparation and implementation of their new NDCs (their climate plans which are due early next year); and this webinar focusing on webinar on investing in ecosystem restoration: in the Near East and North Africa. UNEP FI will also be hosting an event on the fundamental role the insurance sector plays in the prevention and reduction of the effects of climate change.
12 Nov
2024
19:18
COP29 day two ends with speeches, pledges and good news on methane
UN Climate Change /Kiara Worth
Day two of COP29 saw lots of speeches from world leaders, almost all of whom called for urgent climate action and highlighted the need for adequate climate finance. The UNFCCC head, Simon Stiell said that the climate crisis “is fast becoming an economy-killer” with its impacts “carving up to 5 per cent off GDP in many countries."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an emissions reduction target of 81 per cent by 2035 from 1990 levels, as part of the country's updated NDC, or climate plan.
US climate envoy John Podesta the country's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will fine oil and gas companies for methane leaks. Above a certain level, methane emissions will be levied at $900 per metric tonne, going up to $1,500 by 2026. With the UNEP-led IMEO set to publish it's Eye on Methane Report 2024 later this week, it is hoped that the announcement will result in more action on reducing methane emissions, responsible for a third of the planet's current warming.
Sweden pledged pledged US$18.4 million to the loss and damage fund, taking the total financial commitments to the fund so far this year to less than US$50 million. About $700 million was announced for the fund at COP28 last year, far short of the US$100 billion developing countries argue they need every year,
UN Climate Change also revealed that the provisional number of visitors to COP29 is 66,778, down from the 83,884 who were present at COP28 in Dubai, although still the second largest COP in history. Azerbaijan's land borders have been closed since March 2020.
12 Nov
2024
17:23
UNEP FI to showcase role of finance in climate action
Pexels/Mikhail Nilov
At COP29, UNEP's Finance Initative will mobilise its extensive network of more than 500 banks, insurers, and investors to emphasize the role of finance in climate action. A range of discussions and events will showcase a number of initiatives and commitments from financial institutions.
The focus will be on accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement, aligning financial portfolios with net-zero targets, and promoting innovative financial instruments for climate resilience. UNEP FI aims to enhance the finance sector’s contribution to global climate goals, supporting the transition to a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy.
WHO report: five climate actions could save two million lives a year
Derrick Milimo
A new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) released for COP29 has highlighted the climate actions that could save two million lives every year. The most impactful action would be phasing out hundreds of billions of dollars of fossil fuel subsidies and taxing fossil fuels, which the report claims would save 1.2 million lives a year.
The other actions are installing heatwave warning systems; phasing out fossil fuel use in primary healthcare facilities and homes; and protecting clean water and sanitation from climate damage.
These actions would not only save lives but would bring in US$4 in benefits for each dollar invested. “The climate crisis is a health crisis, which makes prioritising health and well-being in climate action not only a moral and legal imperative, but a strategic opportunity to unlock transformative health benefits for a more just and equitable future,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
12 Nov
2024
15:30
Focus on climate finance as world leaders speeches continue
COP29
World leaders speeches continue in Baku, with the focus very much on funding the response to the climate crisis, particularly by those most affected by it.
The president of the Maldives - long threatened by the catastrophic effects of the climate crisis – Mohamed Muizzu said: “The new climate finance goal must reflect the true scale of the climate crisis,” he said. “The need is in trillions [of dollars], not billions.”
For us the environment and ocean are more than resources, they are our cultural identity,” Muizzu said. “Their protection remains our sacred duty.” He added: “As we look around the globe we see funds flowing freely to wage war,” but not to fund climate finance.
This was echoed by the president of Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, who pointed out the “fallacy that their short-term interests are worth the destruction on their doorstep and they will escape without blame.”
The Marshall Islands, like the Maldives, faces an existential threat from rising sea levels as a result of human-induced climate change.
It is hoped that COP29 will result in a new collective and quantified goal on climate finance which would see countries agree ona new financial target to support developing countries in their climate actions post-2025. This finance would - among other things - help countries pay for a green energy transition.
12 Nov
2024
13:59
UNFCCC head: Failure to tackle climate crisis will result in inflation on steroids
UN Climate Change/Kamran Guliyev
Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has warned world leaders that a failure to tackle the climate crisis will result in "inflation on steroids."
Speaking at the World Leaders Summit, he said: “The climate crisis is a cost-of-living crisis, because climate disasters are driving up costs for households and businesses,” he said, emphasising that the benefits of climate finance were global in scale.
“Let’s learn the lessons from the pandemic when supply chains were smashed,” Stiell said. “Climate finance is global inflation insurance.”
He also highlighted the fact that climate action is not just necessary for the planet, but for stronger economies and human health.
“Cheap, clean energy can be the bedrock of your economies. It means more jobs, more growth, less pollution choking cities, healthier citizens and stronger businesses.”
12 Nov
2024
13:20
On now: Report highlights how nitrous oxide is harming ozone and climate
The Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment launching today shines a spotlight on a critical but often overlooked climate threat. Nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas and the top ozone-depleting substance. Nitrous oxide is mostly emitted from synthetic fertilisers and manure in agriculture.
Rising faster than expected, its emissions threaten both our climate and ozone layer. The report highlights actionable steps to cut emissions by more than 40 per cent, with deeper reductions achievable through transformations in food systems and society. As part of the essential nitrogen cycle, nitrous oxide plays a crucial role in our global food system but demands urgent attention for sustainable solutions.
