The state of the planet is a key agenda item for the United Nations General Assembly. This page features related updates from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners, including key moments of the year such as July’s High-level Political Forum and September’s High-Level Week which in 2024 included the Summit of the Future.
25 Sep
2024
15:10
Climate Action Outdoor Museum opens during Climate Week in New York
Four new gigantic murals now grace the Hudson Yards neighborhood of New York, inspiring people to become allies for our planet. The artwork has been created by prominent artists and curated by the New York-based non-profit Street Art for Mankind (SAM). Two of the murals focus on urban and ocean ecosystem restoration, in partnership with the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which is co-led by UNEP and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The two other murals highlight sustainable plastic and fashion consumption and production.
“While the UN is leading on coordination of the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, restoring all ecosystems on Earth is a task too daunting for any one organization alone,” said Rafael Peralta, UNEP’s Regional Director for North America. “That is why we are partnering with artists and their supporters – such as Street Art for Mankind - to build a broad-based global movement,” he added.
25 Sep
2024
12:31
Conversation on “SDGs at a Turning Point” at SDG Media Zone: 24 September
On 24 September, the “SDGs at a Turning Point” session at the SDG Media Zone brought together Prajakta Koli, YouTube Influencer, Actress and UNDP Climate Ambassador; Abigail Tracy, Writer and Political Journalist at Vanity Fair; and Elizabeth Paturzo, Head of Communications at the UN Joint SDG Fund.
Moderated by Peter Glatzer, Co-Founder of SHFT, the conversation during the High-Level Week explored how young storytellers can leverage authenticity to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and drive people to action, combatting the “doom and gloom” of the climate crisis.
Watch the event recording here.
Read the SDG Media Zone program.
Access the SDG Media Zone live blog.
24 Sep
2024
21:40
Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative announced as finalist for The Earthshot Prize 2024
The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative (Altyn Dala - meaning Golden Steppe in Kazakh) has today been announced as one of 15 finalists for The Earthshot Prize 2024 and one of three in the ‘Protect and Restore Nature’ category. The initiative has been recognized for its efforts to conserve and restore the ecosystems of the ancient Kazakh steppe, wetlands, and deserts for the benefit of Saiga Antelope and other globally important wildlife.
As a long-term collaborative partnership between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology & Natural Resources, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), Fauna & Flora, Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Altyn Dala, was initially founded in 2005 to prevent the extinction of Saiga Antelope.
Having today been selected as a finalist from over 2,400 nominees, the announcement follows the global recognition of Altyn Dala by the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration as one of only 17 World Restoration Flagships in 2022.
24 Sep
2024
15:47
Watch the start of the General Debate of UNGA79
24 Sep
2024
15:36
UNEP Statement to the Plenary of the Summit of the Future
On 23 September, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen addressed the Summit of the Future event at the UN General Assembly in New York. In her speech, she urged member states to ensure that coming generations can live in peace, prosperity and equity. Andersen highlighted the importance of multilateral environmental agreements that cover the triple planetary crisis, including the ongoing negotiations on an instrument to end plastic pollution.
“To deliver on all commitments, and strengthen sustainable development, we must operationalize the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Commit to financial and economic transformations that build equity and resilience. Ensure circularity and sustainable consumption and production – including in the energy transition and digital transformation,” Andersen said. “Member States can count on UNEP’s science, support and advocacy as they seek to deliver on the actions that will be reflected in the outcomes of this summit, and so shape a sustainable future for the benefit of every person on this planet,” she added.
24 Sep
2024
14:15
CCAC Super Pollutant Ministerial 2024 – Communique | Remarks by UNEP Executive Director
At the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Super Pollutant Ministerial Meeting 2024 on 23 September 2024 in New York, the ministers adopted the "Now We Can: Supercharging Action on Super Pollutants" Communique. The Communique emphasizes the urgent need for increased ambition to reduce super pollutants like methane, black carbon, HFCs, and nitrous oxide to slow near-term warming and improve air quality. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to include economy-wide emission reduction targets aligned with the 1.5°C goal in their next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), due by February 2025.
In the run-up to this announcement, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen pointed out different ways to champion super pollutant action: ”By advocating the inclusion of super pollutants in NDCs. By telling governments, businesses and others of the multiple benefits of action. And, of course, by increasing our own efforts to slash super pollutants and bring the world on track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
24 Sep
2024
13:05
UN Messengers of Peace Edward Norton and Lang Lang at SDG Media Zone: 23 September
On 23 September, Lang Lang, UN Messenger of Peace, and Edward Norton, UN Messenger of Peace and Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity, shared inspiring messages at the SDG Media Zone on the transformative impact that storytelling and music can have for the environment and for the education and opportunities of new generations.
Highlighting the importance of individual action during the Summit of the Future, both creators demonstrated how their conservation initiatives in Kenya and educational interventions in schools lift up communities and contribute to economic resilience and peace.
Watch the event recording here.
24 Sep
2024
10:00
Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative announced as finalist for The Earthshit Prize 2024
The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative (Altyn Dala - meaning Golden Steppe in Kazakh) has today been announced as one of 15 finalists for The Earthshot Prize 2024 and one of three in the ‘Protect and Restore Nature’ category. The initiative has been recognized for its efforts to conserve and restore the ecosystems of the ancient Kazakh steppe, wetlands, and deserts for the benefit of Saiga Antelope and other globally important wildlife.
As a long-term collaborative partnership between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology & Natural Resources, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), Fauna & Flora, Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Altyn Dala, was initially founded in 2005 to prevent the extinction of Saiga Antelope.
Having today been selected as a finalist from over 2,400 nominees, the announcement follows the global recognition of Altyn Dala by the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration as one of only 17 World Restoration Flagships in 2022.
24 Sep
2024
09:36
Look Back: Summit of the Future Side Event on Human Rights of Future Generations
On 21 September, the virtual side event “Human Rights of Future Generations” of the Summit of the Future took stock of the process leading to the adoption of the Declaration on Future Generations.
A diverse set of panellists - including UNEP’s Environmental Law Specialist Juliana Almeida, governmental representatives, youth, and civil society advocates - discussed opportunities for UN institutions, governments, and other stakeholders to promote the principle of intergenerational equity in international governance. They also highlighted recent developments related to the consolidation of legal norms, including the Maastricht Principles on the Human Rights of Future Generations.
Watch the event recording:
23 Sep
2024
16:26
UNEP Executive Director calls for sustainable, environmentally sound digital transformation
On 21 September 2024, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen addressed the High-Level Roundtable on the Global Digital Compact during the Summit of the Future. In her speech, she highlighted the potential and the risks that go along with the digital revolution.
“If we use, and use well, the tools this revolution is bringing, they can slow the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Help developing nations leapfrog to cleaner and more prosperous development pathways. And, of course, help to deliver sustainable development,” Andersen said.
“We know that technologies such as AI impact the environment, from mining to emissions, from water consumption to E-waste – with issues of injustice deeply entrenched. But these impacts are not researched enough, particularly in the global south,” she added.
After the speech, UNEP released an Issues Note on the Environmental Impacts of AI.
