Climate Solutions

COVID-19 exposed the consequences of the failure to make sufficient progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and in implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change. We would have been in a better place if we had.

We must change course, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, or we risk missing the point where we can avoid the “disastrous consequences for people and all the natural systems that sustain us.”

As we continue to tackle the pandemic, the enormity of the climate emergency can be daunting. What can one person or even one nation do on their own to reverse this challenge? Good news is that solutions do exist!

Climate Solutions
Black and white skyscraper silhouette on a solid green background

Biggest financial players back net zero

Over 160 firms with $70 trillion in assets joined forces behind a common goal: steer the global economy towards net-zero emissions and deliver the Paris Agreement goals.

lightning

New data affirm a faltering climate

The pandemic-related economic slowdown failed to put a brake on climate change drivers and accelerating impacts, according to a new report compiled by the World Meteorological Organization. Read more

Auckland, New Zealand

700 cities in 53 countries, one shared commitment

From Bangkok to Rabat to Miami Beach, mayors of major cities around the world met with UN Chief António Guterres to commit to immediate emissions cuts, aiming for a 50 percent reduction in the next decade. Read more.

trees by the river

Papua New Guinea to assess nature’s services

Papua New Guinea is about to join the vanguard of countries accounting for nature. A national assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services will define links to economic activities as well as economic values.

a woman plowing

Find the solutions in nature

Want to know more about how nature-based solutions improve the response to disasters and climate? A free online MOOC explores the issues, in seven languages -- English, Hindi, French, Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, Arabic, and Indonesian. Join participants from over 180 countries.

A person surrounded by plants

Actions are adding up. What can you do?

Over 2 million climate actions have been registered on Act Now. From driving less to eating more veggies, every choice makes a difference. Gear up for Earth Day. Join the movement!

A small island.

Energy transition comes to the Arctic

The small island of Grímsey sits exactly on the Arctic Circle. It may be remote and sparsely populated, but that hasn't stopped local people from agreeing to stop using fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy. Read more.

Climate Change Effects in Island Nation of Kiribati.

Five steps to transformation

Five concrete, achievable actions can transform the response to the climate emergency, the Deputy Secretary-General told a ministerial meeting. Extensive debt relief for vulnerable countries is critical to moving forward. Read more.

Factory chimney smoke

Net-zero pledges grow; ambition falls short

Countries, cities and businesses are making pledges to get to net-zero emissions. A new report surveyed 4,000 of these, finding good intentions, but not enough ambition, including around the use of carbon offsets.

Portrait of Sharan Burrow

Sharan Burrow: Shared prosperity provides hope and security

Why is climate a labour issue? Sharan Burrow explains – and explores what a just transition to a low-carbon economy really looks like. As head of the International Trade Union Confederation, she argues for a new commitment to achieving shared prosperity and abandoning economic patterns that fail people and the planet.

New fund leverages nature to adapt to climate change.

Turning to nature to help humanity

From urban forests to re-greened mountain slopes, nature provides some of the best solutions in adapting to climate change. A new fund is calling for grant proposals to make ecosystem adaptation a global movement. Read more.

earth hour poster

Turn off the lights

On 27 March, to mark Earth Hour 2021, the United Nations will join people around the planet in turning off the lights. It is a simple action and a powerful reminder: We have the solutions to use resources wisely and make peace with nature. Watch the video message.

thunderstorm and the ocean

Connecting oceans and climate

Climate isn’t just about the atmosphere. The oceans play a central role. They also sustain the global economy and 40 per cent of humanity. World Meteorological Day celebrates our oceans. Read more.

person holding there is no planet b poster

Global climate actions take off

Industry and investment going green. Bold ambitions for biodiversity. Leading climate actors shared highlights of how they are turning 2019 Climate Action Summit plans into action. Read more.

Zero carbon city

UNFCCC lauds net-zero moves in Japan

Climate chief Patricia Espinosa welcomed growing commitments to carbon neutrality by Japan, nationally and by 200 local and regional governments. She pointed to net-zero cities as critical to reaching global climate goals. Read more.