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
Photocomposition: Nicole Becker speaking on a microphone

Nicole Becker: Turn that anger into collective action

Argentinian climate activist, Nicole Becker, is the co-founder of Jóvenes por el Clima or Youth for the Climate - a social and political movement advocating for concrete climate action through fair and equal public policies.

Celebrating Indigenous communities and their ability to protect nature

An emerging body of research suggests that traditional techniques for growing food, controlling wildfires, and conserving endangered species could help arrest the dramatic decline of the natural world, says the UN Environment Programme. This International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of indigenous communities who work relentlessly to protect our planet. Learn more

UN chief slams ‘immoral’ profiteering amid global energy crisis

As the war in Ukraine continues to rage, skyrocketing energy prices are compounding an existential cost-of-living crisis for hundreds of millions of people, the UN chief said, introducing the third is a series of briefings from the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance. Learn more

Facts about climate emergencies

The impacts of climate change can be seen everywhere with increasing and worsening extreme weather events such heatwaves, droughts, flooding, winter storms, hurricanes and wildfires. Learn more about climate emergencies

The right to a healthy environment

As the UN General Assembly recognizes people’s right to a healthy environment, the head of the UN Environment Programme looks at the importance of this historic resolution. Read more

Renewables: Cheapest form of power

Renewables are the cheapest form of power today confirms a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency. Amid climbing fossil fuel prices, investments in renewables in 2021 saves US$55 billion in global energy generation costs in 2022. Learn more

Climate emergency: Heatwaves

“These heatwaves are happening worldwide as a consequence of climate change,” warned the head of the World Metrological Organization, Petteri Taalas, looking at the impact of the current exceptional heat in Europe on people’s health and wellbeing. Watch the press conference

18 July: Nelson Mandela International Day

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, a tireless civil rights leader, and a passionate advocate for sustainable development and the environment, let’s remember that “it’s in our hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” Learn more about the Day

8 billion reasons to take climate action

“In the world we strive to build, 8 billion people means 8 billion opportunities to live dignified and fulfilled lives,” says UN Chief António Guterres as the world’s population nears 8 billion. Every one of us can make a difference in building a better world. Every action counts. Almost 8 million climate actions have already been registered through the UN ActNow campaign. Join the ActNow campaign

Healthy diets for a healthier planet

What does food have to do with climate change? More than a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions is linked to food and reducing emissions from the food sector requires changes at all stages, from producers to consumers. Learn more

SDG Roundtable: Mia Mottley

Prayers and hopes are not strategies that can tackle the climate crisis - Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, co-chair of the UN SDG Advocates group, discusses climate action at a fireside chat on making the world a better place for everyone. Watch the interview

Catherine Mckenna: We need to get our act together

In support of the Secretary-General’s call for bolder net-zero pledges matched by concrete action, the 18-member High-level Expert Group on the Net-zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities was tasked with developing stronger and clearer standards, and criteria for assessing non-state actor commitments to reach net-zero.

Spotlight: UN Ocean Conference

With climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution exacting a devastating toll on the world’s ocean, the Ocean Conference opens in Lisbon, Portugal, calling for ocean action driven by science, technology, and innovation. Read more

Public consultation on net-zero accountability

The UN Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments launches a new portal seeking submissions from individuals and groups on how to hold non-state entities accountable for net-zero pledges and deliver immediate climate action. Read more

Dear World Leaders

The UN Development Programme relaunches its award-winning campaign to give people a platform to share messages of hope and anxiety to world leaders on climate change in the lead up to COP27. Learn more about the campaign