Climate and Environment

WMO/Boris Jordan

Paris goals still ‘long way off’, says President of UN climate conference

8 April 2021
Global

The world is “a long way off” from meeting the goals of the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the President of the crucial upcoming UN climate conference, COP26, said on Thursday.

UNEP/Duncan Moore

New project to help 30 developing countries tackle marine litter scourge

8 April 2021
Global

A UN-backed initiative aims to turn the tide on marine litter, in line with the global development goal on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources. 

UNDP/Arjen van de Merwe

Renewable energy access key to climate adaptation in Africa: UN chief

6 April 2021
Africa

Support for climate adaptation in Africa is crucial, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday in appealing for greater action to provide renewable energy to hundreds of millions who still lack access to reliable and affordable electricity.

Emmanuel Rouy/Lycée Français d

Climate change top challenge over the next decade, UNESCO global survey finds

31 March 2021
Global

Climate change and loss of biodiversity is seen as the most pressing challenge over the decade, according to the World in 2030 Survey report published on Wednesday by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

© FAO/Eduardo Soteras

More climate action needed during ‘make-or-break year’ for people and planet 

31 March 2021
Global

The world needs “a major breakthrough” to slow the pace of climate change and build resilience to protect the most vulnerable from increasingly severe and frequent climate impacts, the deputy UN chief told a crucial high-level meeting on Wednesday, looking ahead to November’s COP26. 

UNEP/Florian Fussstetter

Plastic pollution disproportionately hitting marginalized groups, UN environment report finds

30 March 2021

Vulnerable communities disproportionately bear the brunt of environmental degradation caused by plastics pollution, and action is urgently needed to address the issue and restore access to human rights, health and well-being, according to a new UN report published on Tuesday.  

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Guterres calls on US to lead global vaccination plan effort, climate action, welcoming Blinken to Headquarters

29 March 2021
Americas

The Secretary-General welcomed a recommitted and re-engaged United States administration to United Nations Headquarters on Monday, albeit virtually, calling on it to play a leadership role in drawing up a global vaccination plan to beat COVID-19, and make the upcoming COP26 a watershed moment for climate action.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Earth Hour: ‘Make peace with nature’ – UN chief

27 March 2021
Global

The world began to ripple to darkness on Saturday as countries globally dimmed their lights at 8:30 pm local time for Earth Hour – an event that, according to the UN, encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour.

UNDP Nepal

FROM THE FIELD: Preparing for disaster in Nepal

27 March 2021
Asia Pacific

The UN  is scaling up its efforts to help Nepal, which faces numerous natural threats, to become more resilient, minimize human casualties and preserve livelihoods.

Coral Reef Image Bank/Alexander

Biodiversity at risk, threatens human survival, UN forum hears 

24 March 2021
Global

As the living tissue of the earth, biodiversity is “intimately linked to human health” the head of the UN’s scientific agency told a global forum on Wednesday, noting that “we are part of that living tissue”.