Climate change is the major, overriding environmental issue of our time, adding considerable stress to our societies and to the environment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale.
Over the years, the North American region has seen an increase in the rate and magnitude of extreme weather conditions, from rising temperatures to devastating droughts and wildfires. Without drastic action today, adapting to these impacts in the future will be more difficult and costly.
The Paris Agreement
To combat the impacts of a warming planet, nations signed the landmark Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change. The Paris Agreement was adopted at the 21st UN Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris on 12 December 2015, and entered into force on 4 November 2016. The goal of the agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 °C (preferably to 1.5°) compared to pre-industrial levels. To achieve this, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.
Both Canada and the United States are parties to the Paris Agreement, and have developed national climate action plans to meet global emission targets. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) works closely with these administrations to strengthen global climate action.
COP26
To accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, the United Kingdom, in partnership with Italy, will host the (COP26) in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. The climate talks will bring together heads of state, climate experts, and campaigners to agree on a coordinated action plan to tackle climate change.
Renewables and Energy Efficiency
A majority of the global energy system is based on fossil fuels—about 60% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions responsible for climate change. Despite the rapid rate of technological innovation and associated cost reductions, renewable energy and energy efficiency options must still compete with carbon intensive energy technologies.
UNEP supports new advances in solar, wind, geothermal, bio power, and a variety of new energy storage systems to encourage American and Canadian business and government leaders to make advances in renewables and energy savings.
Promoting Climate Action in North America
UNEP North America is working to promote climate action through a new regional Climate Communications Campaign focused on climate and environmental justice. As a part of this work, in partnership with United Nations Association of the National Capitol Area (UNA-NCA), UNEP North America has developed The Effects of Climate and Air Quality on Diverse Communities, a background study guide for the 2021 Spring Model United Nations Conference in Washington D.C.
