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

Loss and damage: A moral imperative to act

Ahead of COP27, we asked Dr. Adelle Thomas, a lead author of the IPCC’s 2022 report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, and the Special Report on 1.5°C to shed more light on Loss and Damage, what it means for vulnerable populations exposed to the worsening climate impacts, and the growing imperative to address what’s at stake.

Monzir Mohammed: Protect the planet from danger

UNICEF Youth Advocate and Sudanese climate activist Monzir Mohammed believes in the power of innovation and the empowerment of young people. Learn more about how he helped to build the country’s first solar-powered car.

Solar superpowers, wind warriors and hydro heroes: How communities are embracing renewable energy

The economic, societal and environmental benefits of renewable energy are numerous - It is available in abundance, cheaper and a healthier option for us and our planet. Let’s take a spin around the world and look at the growing demand for the power of renewables. 
 

Simon Stiell: The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of action

One month ahead of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the new Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell, discusses the urgent need for the world to invest in renewable energy, support lifesaving adaptation efforts and address the worsening plight of communities suffering losses and damages due to the growing impacts of climate change.

UN Live launches inclusive global conversation on climate action

Through the “Global We for Climate Action”, the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, supported by the IKEA Foundation, seeks to broaden the climate conversation by engaging people who are left out of the conversation and feel little agency in shaping the future of the world – especially younger generations, people disproportionately affected by climate change, and people in conflict-ridden societies.

UN Climate Envoy launches new plans to boost access to renewables

UN Secretary-General António GuterresSpecial Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael Bloomberg announced his commitment to help accelerate the transition to renewable energy in 15 developing countries across the world - Botswana, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, Morocco, Mexico, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Thailand, and Uganda.

Preserving the Ozone Layer

On 16 September, the world will mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. It was on this day, 35 years ago, that the Montreal Protocol was adopted. Let’s look at how this agreement was critical in protecting the health of our planet and all its species, while also reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Read more.

Photocomposition: a dialogue balloon, with tangled lines inside of it. They end up forming a lamp, with green trees inside of it.

Communicating on Climate Change

Communicating on climate change is about educating and mobilizing audiences to take action to confront the climate crisis. Everyone can play a part by raising their voice, sharing solutions, and advocating for change – shaped by different experiences, cultural contexts, and underlying values. Read more.

Deputy Secretary General Amina J Mohammed

Time to make good on adaptation promises

“Now is the time for solidarity and keeping the promise to humankind while protecting our planet,” said Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed at the Africa Adaptation Finance Forum in the lead-up to COP27, calling on developed countries to step up funding for the most vulnerable countries to adapt to the worsening climate impacts. Read more

Confronting the growing risk of drought

With climate change and land degradation, droughts are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more widespread. More political will and international cooperation are needed to confront this growing risk. Read the op-ed by Ibrahim Thiaw

Photocomposition: a webpage banner showing wind turbines along a beach coast area. In the middle there is a yellow sun, with COP27 written in it and figures holding hands on both sides. On the top left, there is the sun icon of the COP27 conference.

COP27: Delivering for people and the planet

From 6 to 18 November, Heads of State, ministers and negotiators, along with climate activists, mayors, civil society representatives and CEOs will meet in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh for the largest annual gathering on climate action. Learn more.

World Water Week

Today, water stress due to climatic hazards such as extreme droughts and floods is affecting many countries, limiting their access to clean drinking water. This year, World Water Week, which takes place from 23 August to 1 September, focuses on the value of water for people, nature, climate change and development. Learn more

Calling for just, well-financed climate action in Africa

Ahead of the UN climate conference in Egypt this November, the recently-appointed Africa Director and Special Adviser to the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, Bogolo Kenewendo, talks about her new assignment. Read more

Climate justice for persons with disabilities

In Africa, the burden of climate change falls heavily on the shoulders of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Unfortunately, climate change negotiators and policymakers tend to overlook persons with disabilities more than any other demographic, says Nancy Marangu from the Chemichemi Foundation. Read her opinion in UN Africa Renewal

Photocomposition: a magnifying glass focusing on the African continent

Africa Climate Week 2022

In the lead-up to COP27 in the Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh in November, Africa Climate Week, to be hosted in Gabon, looks at ambitions, innovations and partnerships that are driving climate action in Africa. Check out stories of transformative change and solutions across the continent.