Climate and Environment

Press Encounter with the Secretary-General António Guterres, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, on 28 November 2018.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

‘Global trust’ declining, ‘our world needs stepped-up global leadership’

28 November 2018
Global

On the eve of the G20 international forum in Argentina, and ahead of next week’s COP24 climate conference in Katowice, Poland, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for global leadership to be stepped up, “at a time of declining global trust.”

Clima East project by the European Union and UNDP assists environment protection in Eastern Europe. In Belarus, Ukraine and Russia it helps preserve bogs
UNDP/Taylor Rees

CLIMATE CHANGE FOCUS: Cutting emissions, one bog at a time

27 November 2018
Europe

Farmers and entrepreneurs in rural eastern Europe are helping to tackle climate change while boosting their livelihoods as a result of regenerating ancient wetland peat bogs.

Z.B.'s children now walk and play in the woods as he used to when he was young
UNDP Eurasia

‘At risk’ Mediterranean forests make ‘vital contributions’ to development

27 November 2018
Europe

Between 2010 and 2015, forests around the Mediterranean have expanded by two per cent, but that has come at the price of significant degradation and increasing vulnerability to climate change, population pressures, wildfires and water scarcity, warned a new UN report launched on Tuesday.

Countries like Romania are pursuing low carbon development using green energy sources. (February 2017)
World Bank/Jutta Benzenberg

CO2 emissions on the rise for first time in four years, UN agency warns

27 November 2018
Global

A new report released on Tuesday by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rose again during 2017 after a three year hiatus, highlighting the imperative for countries to deliver on the historic Paris Agreement to keep global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Desertification threatens the village of Tantaverom. Mbo Malloumu has taken the initiative to plant acacia seedlings to rehabilitate the land. In the past 50 years, Lake Chad basin shrank from 25,000 square kilometers to 2,000square kilometers.
UNDP Chad/Jean Damascene Hakuzim

CLIMATE CHANGE FOCUS: Lake Chad trees keep deadly drought at bay

26 November 2018
Africa

Tens of thousands of drought-resistant trees are being planted with the support of the UN in the Lake Chad region to restore vegetation cover around the lake, help farmers adapt to climate change, and support women's economic initiatives.

Aerial view over Lake Chad from the aeroplane, clearly shows patched of desertification. In the past 50 years, Lake Chad basin shrank from 25,000 square kilometers to 2,000 square kilometers.
UNDP Chad/Jean Damascene Hakuzim

#TakeYourSeat at the UN Climate Change Conference: a way for all people to join the global conversation

23 November 2018
Global

To bring the voice of the people to the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Poland (known by the shorthand 'COP 24', from 2 to 14 December), the United Nations has launched  the ‘People’s Seat’ initiative, calling millions of change advocates worldwide to submit messages for an address that will be delivered to leaders attending the conference, by renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

Trees donated by the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS are planted at the Exodus Junior Academy in the capital, Juba. (October 2018)
UNMISS/Eric Kanalstein

Future of our planet hinges on action by today’s youth – UN deputy chief

21 November 2018
Global

Protecting the planet rests on this generation’s youth and their inclination “to hold leaders and decision-makers accountable,” especially in the combat against climate change, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told university students in China today. 

 

In Guatemala, small-holder farmers are replanting cocoa as the country works towards establishing more sustainable agricultural practices.
UNDP Guatemala/Caroline Trutmann

CLIMATE CHANGE FOCUS: Chocolate, a sweet success in Guatemala

19 November 2018
Americas

The reintroduction of smallholder cocoa production in Guatemala is addressing both economic and environmental problems brought on by climate change, thanks to support provided by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). 

In Bhutan, local farmers are supported by a UNDP project to harness the power of unique local medicinal plants while perserving biodiversity.
UNDP Bhutan

CLIMATE CHANGE FOCUS: In Bhutan, nature and people benefit

19 November 2018
Asia Pacific

Farmers in the mountain kingdom of Bhutan are being helped by the UN to boost their livelihoods using their traditional knowledge while protecting the country’s varied biodiversity.

Irrigation channels have helped farmers in Uailili in Timor Leste to grow more produce.
UNDP Timor Leste

CLIMATE CHANGE FOCUS: Climate-proofing Timor-Leste

16 November 2018
Asia Pacific

A new generation of green infrastructure which boosts the local economy, ensures water supplies and protects the environment is being built in Timor-Leste thanks to the support of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).