Taking climate action forward

When it comes to climate action, major emitters receive prominent coverage. But there’s another story, less often told, that deserves attention. At the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), over the past decade, we have been working hand in hand with over 90 percent of all developing countries on advancing local and national climate action. Here are some highlights from 2025.

COP30 advanced climate action through new finance work programmes, trade dialogues, and international cooperation mechanisms supporting just, equitable transitions for developing countries.

Building true climate resilience in developing countries requires empowering people and markets, to adapt proactively rather than merely react to disasters.

In South Africa’s Vhembe Biosphere, local farmers blend traditional knowledge with science to monitor climate impacts and adapt to droughts and floods for a sustainable future.

In Colombia's mountains and forests, the spirit of Mother Earth resonates through nature, traditional chants, and misty landscapes. This profound connection inspired the Comunidades Indígenas por los Bosques (Indigenous Communities for the Forests) initiative, led by UNDP Colombia. Supported by the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) and Climate Promise, it aims to empower Indigenous Peoples' organizations in their efforts for biodiversity and climate resilience. The initiative is rooted in ancestral knowledge, cultural heritage, and Indigenous governance, highlighting the importance of preserving both the land and its traditions.

Climate change deepens gender inequality, disproportionately impacting women and girls—yet their leadership and knowledge are key to building resilient, sustainable solutions.

2024 was the hottest year on record, with extreme events on the rise. Cyclones, heavy rain, floods, droughts, and wildfires are becoming more frequent. Early warning systems can save lives, livelihoods, and economies, by helping people prepare for natural hazards. Significant progress has been made. A decade ago, 52 countries had multi-hazard early warning systems; now, 108 do—but nearly half the world remains unprotected. Join us on World Meteorological Day 2025 (23 March) to support the Early Warnings for All initiative.

Early warning systems mitigate climate risks, saving lives and minimizing losses, but challenges like funding, data gaps, and communication persist.

A new analysis highlights how small island developing states are utilizing the ocean for climate action and urges increased global support to accelerate their efforts.

“We can see how many people are suffering…We can see that people are running out of food, are running out of water, and the real narrative is that this will affect everyone sooner or later.”

Celeste Saulo has always been fascinated by the weather. Now Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), she is seeing climate breakdown warp global weather systems beyond recognition, with devastating impacts on countless lives and livelihoods.

“We want to save lives. We need these early warnings to reach everyone on Earth.”

The UN Secretary-General has issued a red alert for the planet after a full decade of record-breaking heat driven by human activity. In this episode of Awake at Night, Celeste reflects on our shared responsibility to future generations, on an emotional meeting with Pope Francis, and on why she can never give up hope.

“If you work with youth, you need to have hope, because for me, it's not fair not having hope… We need to work along the lines we believe are better opportunities for them, and we need to engage them, and I would say, to follow them.”

Photo: ©WMO

In this episode from UNEP's "Resilience: The Global Adaptation Podcast", we dive into questions related to how the media covers climate adaptation. What makes a climate story go viral? Why are stories so important for making sense of the climate crisis? How can the media convey the urgency without breeding despair? Lis and Marcus sit down with The New York Times’ adaptation reporter Christopher Flavelle to explore these questions. Plus, the filmmaker and explorer Malaika Vaz shares what it’s like to capture victims of the climate crisis and tell their story to a global audience.

Comoros is leading global biodiversity conservation with ambitious sustainability projects, ecosystem protection, and international partnerships to combat climate change.

As the climate crisis hits every economy harder each year, we need to redouble our focus on climate solutions.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are facing severe climate impacts, but through innovation and global cooperation, they can build resilience and secure a sustainable future.