Climate and Environment

Members of an indigenous community, living in the forests in one of the most remote regions of Republic of the Congo.
UNICEF/Vincent Tremeau

On climate change frontline, indigenous provide pointers to save planet 

25 June 2021
Global

Indigenous people living on the frontline of climate change could offer potentially ground-breaking insight into biodiversity protection and sustainability, but they urgently need help to withstand a growing number of threats to their way of life, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said on Friday. 

A child stands near a water pump surrounded by floodwaters in Gatumba, located near Bujumbura in Burundi.
© UNICEF/Karel Prinsloo

Water-related disasters throw up complex challenges, threaten lives and jobs

25 June 2021
Global

The global climate crisis is “exacerbating and intensifying” water-related disasters, jeopardizing lives and livelihoods, the UN chief said on Friday at a major sustainable development symposium.

Drought and poverty have led to severe hunger in southern Madagascar.
© WFP/Tsiory Andriantsoarana

Madagascar’s hungry ‘holding on for dear life’, WFP chief warns

23 June 2021
Africa

Thousands of families in southern Madagascar are on the edge of starvation, and “holding on for dear life”, the UN food agency chief said on Wednesday - after bearing witness to the suffering firsthand - urging the world to step-up and take action. 


 

Women in Burundi tile the soil with hoes in preparation for planting.
©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

UN chief: Desertification and drought destabilizing well-being of 3.2 billion people 

16 June 2021
Global

Land degradation from climate change and the expansion of agriculture, cities and infrastructure “undermines the well-being of 3.2 billion people”, the UN chief said on Wednesday in his message for World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. 

An e-waste worker disassembles items in Ghana.
© WHO/Abraham Thiga Mwaura

‘Digital dumpsites’ study highlights growing threat to children: UN health agency  

15 June 2021
Global

The health of children, adolescents and expectant mothers worldwide is at risk from the illegal processing of old electrical or electronic devices, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, in a landmark new report on the toxic threat. 

Secretary-General António Guterres briefs the press outlining his expectations for the G7 summit taking place in the UK.
United Nations

Guterres: Vaccines should be considered 'global public goods'

11 June 2021
Global

Lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines should be considered “global public goods”, the UN chief told journalists on Friday, covering the G7 Summit of leading industrialized nations taking place in the United Kingdom.  

Okeechobee County, Florida, United States.
WMO/Paul Strauss

UN-backed report finds no G7-based stock exchange indices align with Paris climate goals 

10 June 2021

New research co-authored by the UN Global Compact revealed on Thursday that none of the G7 leading industrial nations’ main stock indices are aligned with global emissions targets set out in the Paris Agreement, thwarting efforts to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. 

A technician works on electricity cables in Mogadishu, Somalia.
UN Photo/Ilyas Ahmed

Global push needed to ensure ‘clean, affordable and sustainable electricity’ for all

7 June 2021
Global

During the last decade, more people around the world have gained access to electricity than ever before. However, the number still not connected has grown in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia, according to a new UN report on universal access to energy, launched on Monday. 

Kamloops lake in British Columbia, Canada, is located on traditional lands of the Secwepemc Nation.
Unsplash/Louis Paulin

Still time to reverse damage to ‘ravaged’ ecosystems, declares UN chief, marking World Environment Day 

4 June 2021
Global

Amidst the triple environmental threat of biodiversity loss, climate disruption and escalating pollution, Secretary-General António Guterres launched “an unprecedented effort to heal the Earth”, on the eve of World Environment Day. 

Coastal and marine ecosystems provide food, livelihoods, and coastal protection to more than a billion people worldwide.
UNCTAD

‘Simply no scenario’ where humanity can survive on an ocean-free planet

1 June 2021
Global

The world must harness “clear, transformative and actionable solutions” to address the ocean crisis, the President of the UN General Assembly said on Tuesday, opening a meeting to generate momentum towards the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, when public health safety measures allow.