UN News Centre - Environment, Shelter

Norwegian rock and jazz festivals link with UN to become climate friendly

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Two music festivals in Norway are both aiming to become a blueprint for a green global music festival movement in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

UN warns that Kenya is in danger of losing its largest forest ecosystem

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Kenya stands to lose $300 million in revenue from tea, tourism and energy if the forest of the country's Mau Complex continues to be degraded and destroyed, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned today.

UN seeks children's depictions of impact of climate change

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today launched its annual painting competition for children, calling for artwork from youth on the subject of climate change, ranging from its impact on the planet to steps everyone can take, such as using renewable energy and energy-saving light bulbs, using public transportation and planting trees.

UN embarks on worldwide survey to assess deforestation

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

As part of efforts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the world's forests, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its partners will be carrying out a global remote sensing survey of these vital ecosystems.

Solar energy viable option for Timor-Leste, says UN

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

A just concluded three-year pilot project has shown that solar power can be an affordable and sustainable alternative energy source for the people of Timor-Leste, according to a senior United Nations official heading up the programme.

Climate change expert named Goodwill Ambassador for UN industrial agency

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has named Rajendra K. Pachauri, the head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), as one of its Goodwill Ambassadors.

Tackling heightened risk of forest fires examined in UN-backed meeting

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Dozens of meteorologists, fire scientists and others from 25 countries have gathered at a United Nations-backed meeting in Canada to examine how to address the intensified threat of forest fires posed by climate change.

International wildlife trade to be reviewed with UN help

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

The trade in elephants, rhinos, tigers and mahogany will all be the focus of this week's meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Geneva, whose secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

UN telecom agency to assess how technology impacts climate change

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today announced that it is examining how to slash greenhouse gas emissions from information and communication technologies (ICT).

Climate change will have major impact on fishing industry, says UN agency

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Climate change is already impacting the world's oceans and will have serious consequences for the hundreds of millions of people who depend on fishing for their livelihoods, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).