Climate and Environment

©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. 

© 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. 

© UNICEF/Safidy Andriananten

Restoring nature ‘the test of our generation’: UN General Assembly President

14 June 2021
Global

Stepping up global efforts to combat land degradation is the only way to safeguard food and water security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ward against future threats to health and the environment, the UN General Assembly President told ambassadors meeting in New York on Monday. 

UNDP/Sumaya Agha

Turning to sustainable global business: 5 things to know about the circular economy

13 June 2021
Global

Due to the ever-increasing demands of the global economy, the resources of the planet are being used up at an alarming rate and waste and pollution are growing fast. The idea of a more sustainable “circular economy” is gaining traction, but what does this concept mean, and can it help save the planet?

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.  

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. 

Forest Green Rovers/Steve Schofield

First Person: Owner of first ‘vegan football club’ scoring sustainable goals

10 June 2021
Europe

A football club in the west of England has been recognized by the United Nations for its leading role in setting goals to tackle climate change, from planning a low-carbon stadium, to selling only 100 per cent vegan food. Ahead of the kick-off  of the delayed Euro 2020 football competition, owner and chairman, Dale Vince, told UN News that the club aims to be a beacon of sustainability in the sporting world

Ocean Image Bank/Jayne Jenkins

End war on nature and ensure ocean health, UN chief says in message for World Oceans Day

8 June 2021
Global

Ending the “war on nature” must be part of global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday in his message for World Oceans Day. 

Unsplash/Ian Cylkowski

Chilliest Spring in years is cold comfort as CO2 emissions rise: WMO

8 June 2021

Confirmation that Europe has just had its chilliest Spring in years is cold comfort for the planet, amid rising greenhouse gas levels which will bring negative impacts for generations to come, UN weather experts said on Tuesday.

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.