For the Press
Press Materials
Highlights from the United Nations on Climate Change.
PRESS RELEASE
IMO agrees possible outline for maritime “net-zero framework”
IMO has agreed on an illustration of a possible draft outline of an “IMO net-zero framework” for cutting greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from international shipping. This marks a step forward in the legal process towards adopting global regulations, referred to as “mid-term GHG reduction measures”, that will help achieve the targets contained in the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.
PRESS RELEASE
Global Methane Forum calls to turn commitments into action on path to COP29
With political momentum building fast for methane mitigation and, as emissions measurement continues to sharpen through satellite and other technologies, the Global Methane Forum brought together leaders to help turn commitment into real cuts in methane emissions.
PRESS RELEASE
Rethinking business and economic paradigms for people and planet to survive: UN expert
There is an urgent need to rethink business and economic paradigms that have pushed humanity’s collective impacts beyond planetary limits, said David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment today. The expert stressed that States have a duty to protect human rights from harm that businesses may cause, and an obligation to hold businesses accountable.
PRESS RELEASE
UN to Convene Global Experts in Tokyo on 4-6 March to Assess Climate Action Targets under Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations is convening over sixty climate and development experts from around the world in Tokyo from 4-6 March to assess progress on climate action targets under the SDGs and strategize recommendations to accelerate action. The meeting is mandated as part of preparations for the review this year of SDG 13 on climate action, as part of the annual assessment of where we stand on implementing the 2030 Agenda, to take place at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2024.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Facing climate and debt challenges, Small Islands take next steps toward new 10-year development plan ahead of major UN Conference
Island nations, together with partners from the rest of the world and members of civil society, the private sector and others, are meeting in New York this week for the first Preparatory Committee Meeting laying the groundwork for the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), to take place in Antigua and Barbuda from 27 to 30 May 2024.
PRESS RELEASE
Boosting rapid transition to sustainable energy, top priority as UN marks first International Day of Clean Energy
Informing and engaging citizens and leaders worldwide for a just, inclusive, and equitable energy transition based on renewables and energy efficiency, will be in focus as the UN observes the first International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January.
PRESS RELEASE
WMO confirms that 2023 smashes global temperature record
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially confirmed that 2023 is the warmest year on record, by a huge margin.Six leading international datasets used for monitoring global temperatures and consolidated by WMO show that the annual average global temperature was 1.45 ± 0.12 °C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) in 2023.
PRESS RELEASE
New partnerships to accelerate much-needed investment for climate adaptation
Australia and Spain will partner with the small island developing states of Tuvalu and the Dominican Republic respectively, to ramp up finance flows to turn their adaptation priorities into investment opportunities, and ultimately, action on-the-ground.
PRESS RELEASE
Multilateral Development Banks back Early Warnings for All
Multilateral Development Banks are coalescing around the Secretary-General’s US$3.1B initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by life-saving early warning systems in the face of increasingly more extreme and dangerous weather.
PRESS RELEASE
UN launches campaign, calling for renewed global ambition and action for the Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations, today, is kicking off a communications campaign to rally for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the roadmap for people and planet adopted by world leaders in 2015.
PRESS RELEASE
Guardrails Urgently Needed to Contain “Clear and Present Global Threat” of Online Mis- and Disinformation and Hate Speech, says UN Secretary-General
The world must address the “grave global harm” caused by the proliferation of hate and lies in the digital space, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said at the launch of his report into information integrity on digital platforms.
PRESS RELEASE
Early Warnings for All Initiative scaled up into action on the ground
A global initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by early warnings by 2027 is being fast-tracked into action on the ground.
PRESS RELEASE
Second Forum on Carbon Neutrality Goals of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea
Amid the worsening climate crisis, a high-level regional forum looked at strategies and pathways for achieving carbon neutrality in China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
PRESS RELEASE
New alliance to boost drought resilience
Recognizing the urgent need to shift drought management approaches, world leaders launch a new alliance to boost drought resilience - a collaborative platform to rally political momentum and trigger actions that support countries, cities, and communities to significantly reduce their vulnerability, impact, and exposure to extreme drought.
PRESS RELEASE
Early Warnings for All Action Plan unveiled at COP27
It will cost the equivalent of just 50 cents per person per year for the next five years to reach everyone on Earth with early warnings against increasingly extreme and dangerous weather, according to a plan unveiled today by Secretary General António Guterres.
PRESS RELEASE
Eight warmest years on record witness upsurge in climate impacts
The past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, fueled by ever rising greenhouse gas concentrations and accumulated heat, affecting millions, and costing billions this year, warns the latest Provisional State of the Global Climate Report.
PRESS RELEASE
As impacts accelerate, adapting to climate change must become a global priority
As climate impacts intensify across the globe, nations must dramatically increase funding and implementation of actions designed to help vulnerable nations and communities adapt to the climate storm, according to a new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report
PRESS RELEASE
Temperatures in Europe increase more than twice global average
Temperatures in Europe have increased at more than twice the global average over the past 30 years – the highest of any continent in the world. As the warming trend continues, exceptional heat, wildfires, floods and other climate change impacts will affect society, economies and ecosystems, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization.
PRESS RELEASE
Children are at risk of climate change related hazards in the middle East and North Africa
UNICEF releasees the Children’s Climate Risk Index in the Middle East and North Africa Region with a special focus on Egypt. The Index highlights the vulnerability of children living in many countries in the region to the impacts of climate change.
PRESS RELEASE
Inadequate progress on climate action makes rapid transformation of societies only option
As intensifying climate impacts across the globe hammer home the message that greenhouse gas emissions must fall rapidly, a new UN Environment Programme report finds that the international community is still falling far short of the Paris goals, with no credible pathway to 1.5°C in place.
PRESS RELEASE
Climate Plans Remain Insufficient: More Ambitious Action Needed Now
A new report from UN Climate Change shows countries are bending the curve of global greenhouse gas emissions downward but underlines that these efforts remain insufficient to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
PRESS RELEASE
559 million children currently exposed to high heatwave frequency, rising to all 2.02 billion children globally by 2050
559 million children are currently exposed to high heatwave frequency, according to new research from UNICEF. Further, 624 million children are exposed to one of three other high heat measures - high heatwave duration, high heatwave severity or extreme high temperatures.
PRESS RELEASE
Early Warnings for All initiative gains momentum
Momentum is gathering to achieve a plan to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by an early warning system in the next five years, thus grabbing one of the most effective “low hanging fruits” of climate change adaptation.
PRESS RELEASE
UN warns that half the world is not prepared for disasters
A new report from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the World Meteorological Organization warns that half of the countries globally are not protected by multi-hazard early warning systems.
PRESS RELEASE
Climate change puts energy security at risk
The supply of electricity from clean energy sources must double within the next eight years to limit global temperature increase. Otherwise, there is a risk that climate change, more extreme weather and water stress will undermine our energy security and even jeopardize renewable energy supplies, according to a new multi-agency report from the World Meteorological Organization.
PRESS RELEASE
New report outlines priorities for global climate observations
High priority actions to gather essential information on our climate system and improve monitoring and understanding of how it is changing are outlined in a new report by the Global Climate Observing System.
PRESS RELEASE
UN warns that half the world is not prepared for disasters
Early warning systems are a proven means to reduce harm to people and damage to assets ahead of impending hazards, including storms, tsunamis, droughts, and heatwaves, to name a few. Multi-hazard early warning systems address several hazards that may occur alone, simultaneously, or cascadingly.
PRESS RELEASE
United in Science: We are heading in the wrong direction
Climate science is clear: we are heading in the wrong direction, according to a new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which highlights the huge gap between aspirations and reality.
APPOINTMENTS
UN Secretary-General appoints Simon Stiell of Grenada as Executive Secretary of UNFCCC
Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Simon Stiell of Grenada as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The appointment has been made after consultation with the Conference of Parties through its Bureau.
PRESS RELEASE
Calling record profits from oil and gas amid global energy crisis “immoral”, UN Secretary-General urges support to most vulnerable, and transition to renewables
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, warned the UN Secretary-General’s Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) on Food, Energy and Finance.
PRESS RELEASE
World Meteorological Organization issues report on the State of Climate in Latin America and Caribbean
Extreme weather and climate change impacts including mega-drought, extreme rainfall, land and marine heatwaves and glacier melt are affecting the Latin America and the Caribbean region, from the Amazon to the Andes and from Pacific and Atlantic Ocean waters to the snowy depths of Patagonia.
PRESS RELEASE
LAC Climate Week 2022 Opens with Strong Calls for Action
This year’s Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW 2022) opened in Santo Domingo with strong calls for regional action to drive global action to tackle climate change and address regional climate impacts, including more frequent floods, droughts, and storms.
PRESS RELEASE
UN conference seeks synergies to address climate crisis and sustainable development setbacks
A United Nations conference opening on 20 July aims to find synergies in solutions to the global climate emergency and the actions needed to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), following the launch of the SDG Progress Report which warned of serious setbacks in development progress.
PRESS RELEASE
Decisions based on narrow set of market values of nature underpin global biodiversity crisis
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services’ latest report finds that there is a dominant global focus on short-term profits and economic growth in policy decisions that often overlooks nature’s many invaluable contributions to safeguard the lives of people, including its ability to regulate the climate.
PRESS RELEASE
50,000 wild species meet needs of billions of people worldwide
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services identifies critical services that wild species offer billions of people worldwide – from food, income, energy to medicine – underscoring the need to protect the million species of plants and animals facing extinction today.
PRESS RELEASE
Cascading global crises, including climate change, threaten human survival
The climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an increased number of conflicts around the world have placed global sustainable development in jeopardy, warns the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022, citing increasing greenhouse gas emissions and worsening climate catastrophes.
OP-ED
The world is burning. We need a renewables revolution.
“The only true path to energy security, stable power prices, prosperity and a livable planet lies in abandoning polluting fossil fuels and accelerating the renewables-based energy transition,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling for a “renewables revolution.”
PRESS RELEASE
UN Ocean Conference opens with call for urgent action to tackle ocean emergency
With climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution exacting a devastating toll on the world’s ocean — critical to food security, economic growth, and the environment — the 2022 UN Ocean Conference opened in Lisbon, Portugal today with a call for a new chapter of ocean action driven by science, technology, and innovation.
PRESS RELEASE
Public consultation on UN Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities
Launch of New Portal for Written Submissions from Individuals and Groups about how to hold non-state of entities accountable for net zero pledges and deliver immediate climate action.
PRESS RELEASE
Governments advance text of landmark global agreement on biodiversity
Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity advanced a global plan to bend the curve on biodiversity loss, expected to be adopted in Montreal, Canada in December 2022. Notwithstanding the important advances, a considerable amount of work will be required to advance the text for final high-level consideration by CBD’s 196 Parties at COP15.
PRESS RELEASE
Why mental health is a priority for action on climate change
Climate change poses serious risks to mental health and well-being, concludes a new WHO policy brief, launched at the Stockholm+50 conference.
PRESS RELEASE
Stockholm+50 opens with calls to accelerate action for a healthy planet
Fifty years since the first-ever UN Conference on the Human Environment, the world reconvenes in Stockholm to spur urgent action for a healthy planet for the prosperity of all, in the face of a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
PRESS RELEASE
World calls for action to boost drought resilience and invest in land restoration
The Abidjan conference on desertification concludes with major announcements on land restorations, including on tenure, migration, and gender equality.
STATEMENT
Five ways to jump-start the renewable energy transition now
UN Secretary-General outlines five critical actions – on technology, materials, policies, subsidies, and investments – the world needs to prioritize now to transform energy systems and speed up the global shift to renewable energy “because without renewables, there can be no future.”
OP-ED
Realizing Africa’s Sustainable Energy Future
“Without international support, including investment at scale, African countries will not be able to expand energy access to all and still reach their climate goals,” warn UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael Bloomberg and head of Sustainable Energy for All Damilola Ogunbiyi.
STATEMENT
Kigali: Sustainable Energy for All Forum
“Closing the energy access gap and ending energy poverty is crucial,” says UN Secretary-General at the opening of the Forum which kicked off with major announcements on clean energy investments.
PRESS RELEASE
The time is now to future proof the land, world leaders say at the Abidjan Summit
“World leaders call on the international community to take urgent action to stem the loss of life and livelihoods due to the increasing and devastating impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought.”
REMARKS
UN Deputy Secretary-General remarks at the opening of the Abidjan Summit on desertification
“We can either reap the benefits of land restoration now or continue the disastrous path that has led us to the triple planetary crisis of climate, biodiversity and pollution.”
PRESS RELEASE
UN launches plan to catalyse action by 2025 on energy commitments
New Energy Compact Action Network launches with coalitions drawing on $600 billion in commitments to support access and transition, starting with Nigeria, Santiago and others.
PRESS RELEASE
UNCCD: New Global Land Outlook warns of chronic land degradation
Ahead of a major meeting on desertification in May 2022, the UN issues a new report looking at the way land resources - soil, water, and biodiversity - are currently managed, offering practical remedies.
PRESS RELEASE
IPCC: Latest report on the mitigation of climate change
New report on the mitigation of climate change says that the average annual global greenhouse gas emissions in the last decade were at their highest levels in human history, calling for urgent climate action to halve emissions by 2030.
PRESS RELEASE
UN Secretary-General to push business, investors, cities to walk the talk on net-zero pledges; Expert Group launched amid worsening climate crisis
“UN Secretary-General António Guterres today launched his Expert Group to develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges by non-State entities."
PRESS RELEASE
MENACW 2022 Galvanizes Regional Momentum for COP27
“The first-ever Middle East and North Africa Climate Week, MENACW 2022, wrapped up today, building on the outcomes of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow at the end of last year and providing important momentum for a successful COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, at the end of this year."
PRESS RELEASE
MENA Climate Week Opens with Aim To Accelerate Climate Action
“The first-ever Middle East and North Africa Climate Week, MENACW 2022, opens with a strong call to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement."
PRESS RELEASE
WMO: Early Warning systems must protect everyone within five years
“Within the next five years, everyone on Earth should be protected by early warning systems against increasingly extreme weather and climate change, according to an ambitious new United Nations target announced today.”
Remarks
Secretary-General's remarks to the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries
“Least Developed Countries did not cause the climate crisis. But they are living with its worst impacts.”
Remarks
Remarks delivered by Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on climate action and Assistant Secretary-General at COP26-COP27 briefing on the IPCC report
“Thanks to the work of the IPCC, a lack of scientific understanding of the consequences of inaction or insufficient action to address the climate crisis is no longer a legitimate excuse.”
Remarks
Heads of State affirm commitment to environmental cooperation at UNEP golden jubilee celebration
The Special Session of the UN Environment Assembly concludes, addressing how to build a resilient and inclusive post-pandemic world.
Remarks
Secretary-General's remarks to the Opening Session of the Fourth CARICOM-SICA Summit
“We need more ambition and action by all, but especially major emitters like the G20, which accounts for 80 per cent of global emissions.”.
Remarks
UN Deputy Secretary-General's remarks at Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2022
“We must scale up and speed up investments in the protection of people and ecosystems at the frontlines of the climate crisis.”
Press Release
IPCC Press Release - Climate change: a threat to human wellbeing and health of the planet. Taking action now can secure our future
“This report is a dire warning about the consequences of inaction.”
Press Release
2021 one of the seven warmest years on record, WMO consolidated data shows
2021 was still one of the seven warmest years on record, according to six leading international datasets consolidated by the World Meteorological Organization.
Press Release
UN Secretary-General issues new global roadmap to secure clean energy access for all by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050
"As pressure mounts for urgent climate action, UN Secretary-General António Guterres today issued a global roadmap to achieve a radical transformation of energy access and transition by 2030, while also contributing to net zero emissions by 2050."
Remarks
Opening remarks to the media at the G20 (Rome)
"We need greater ambition on mitigation to get us on a credible pathway to 1.5 degree Celsius — a target that science tells us is the only sustainable future for our world."
Press Release
Updated climate commitments ahead of COP26 summit fall far short, but net-zero pledges provide hope
Latest climate promises for 2030 put the world on track for a temperature rise this century of at least 2.7°C
Press Release
Updated NDC Synthesis Report: Worrying Trends Confirmed
The update of the report synthesizes information from the 165 latest available NDCs, representing all 192 Parties to the Paris Agreement.
Press Release
Sustainable Transport Conference calls for vastly accelerated action to achieve net zero emissions and build a green, inclusive and equitable future
The Second UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference concluded today with a call to accelerate progress towards achieving sustainable transport that would result in major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and in improving the lives of millions of people.
Press Release
Part one of UN Biodiversity Conference closes, sets stage for adoption of post-2020 global biodiversity framework at resumption in 2022
With the participation of almost 2918 delegates in Kunming, and 2478 connecting online, Part one of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP-15) closed today, setting the stage for the adoption of an effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework at the resumption of the meeting in spring 2022.
Press Release
Africa Climate Week 2021 Sets Scene for Regional Ambition ahead of COP26
Africa Climate Week 2021 wrapped up this week with Virtual Thematic Sessions helping to set the scene for more ambitious regional action to tackle climate change ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow in November.
Press Release
Africa Climate Week 2021 Builds Regional Momentum in Advance of COP26
The Africa Climate Week 2021 (ACW 2021) Virtual Thematic Sessions are underway with calls to action from leading voices from across the region.
Press Release
Nearly 300 commitments from civil society, farmers, youth and Indigenous Peoples and Member States highlights Summit’s inclusive process to accelerate action
The first-ever UN Food Systems Summit saw nearly 300 commitments from hundreds of thousands of people from around the world and across all constituencies to accelerate action and to transform food systems.
Press Release
Global leaders set to act to increase energy access while reducing emissions at first UN energy summit in 40 years on 24 September
Significant new commitments for financing clean energy, increasing renewables and improving access to electricity are expected to be announced on 24 September at the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy. The summit-level virtual event will bring together Heads of State and other leaders from government, business, foundations, youth and civil society.
Press Release
Full NDC Synthesis Report: Some Progress, but Still a Big Concern
UN Climate Change today published a synthesis of climate action plans as communicated in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Press Release
Climate change widespread, rapid, and intensifying – IPCC
Scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system, according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, released today.
Press Release
Patricia Espinosa on National Climate Plans Submitted by 31 July
Against the backdrop of extreme weather emergencies throughout the world, yesterday was an important day in our collective effort against climate change.
Press Release
Water-related hazards dominate disasters in the past 50 years
Water-related hazards dominate the list of disasters in terms of both the human and economic toll over the past 50 years, according to a comprehensive analysis by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Press Release
Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2021 Sends Strong Signal to COP26
The Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2021 Virtual Thematic Sessions wrapped up today, sending a strong signal that regional momentum for climate action can contribute to success at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in November in Glasgow.
Press Release
Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2021 Kicks Off
The Virtual Thematic Sessions of Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2021 (APCW 2021) will be held from 6 to 9 July and is hosted by the Government of Japan. The sessions are designed to boost the climate change response of countries in Asia and the Pacific and build momentum for the crucial UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in November in Glasgow.
Press Release
Foundations Announce $1 Billion Fund for Renewables in Emerging Economies as Over 45 Ministers Review Plans to Achieve Clean, Affordable Energy for All
Efforts to accelerate global actions to ensure that all people have access to clean energy and electricity received a lift today as The IKEA Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation announced plans to launch a $1 billion fund to boost access to renewable energy in developing countries.
Press Release
Proposed global roadmap shows how universal access to sustainable energy can be achieved by 2030, transforming the lives of millions
Everyone in the world could have access to clean, affordable energy within the next nine years if countries modestly increase investments, according to new reports released today, in advance of a major ministerial meeting on 21-25 June where countries and businesses will begin to announce energy plans for the decade.
Press Release
Halving Emissions by 2030 is New Normal - Race To zero Anniversary
Over 4,500 non-state actors from across the global economy have committed to halving emissions by 2030, joining the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign. These actors from over 92 countries recognise the value and the imperative of racing to a zero-carbon economy to build a healthier, safer, cleaner, more resilient world for generations to come.
Press Release
Tackling Biodiversity & Climate Crises Together and Their Combined Social Impacts
Unprecedented changes in climate and biodiversity, have combined and increasingly threaten nature, human lives, livelihoods and well-being around the world. Biodiversity loss and climate change are both driven by human economic activities and mutually reinforce each other. Neither will be successfully resolved unless both are tackled together. This is the message of a workshop report, published today by 50 of the world’s leading biodiversity and climate experts.
Press Release
Report: Universal Access to Sustainable Energy Will Remain Elusive Without Addressing Inequalities
During the last decade, a greater share of the global population gained access to electricity than ever before, but the number of people without electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa actually increased. Unless efforts are scaled up significantly in countries with the largest deficits the world will still fall short of ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030.
Press Release
Recognizing growing urgency, global leaders call for concrete commitments for clean, affordable energy for all by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050
Leaders from the United Nations, the private sector, national and local governments, youth and other organizations issued a joint call today for countries, businesses, cities and civil society groups to put forward their “Energy Compacts” to show how they will achieve the goal of clean, affordable energy for all by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
Press Release
Chance for extractive industries to support an inclusive and sustainable recovery
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will convene leaders and ministers from 18 countries that heavily rely on extractive industries in a roundtable discussion today.
Press Release
Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week 2021 Set to Boost Regional Climate Action
The virtual thematic sessions of Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week 2021 (11 to 14 May), hosted by the Government of the Dominican Republic, kicked off today with calls to urgently ramp up regional climate action.
Press Release
Global Assessment: Urgent steps must be taken to reduce methane emissions this decade
A Global Methane Assessment released by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that human-caused methane emissions can be reduced by up to 45 per cent this decade.
Press Release
UN launches the first artificial intelligence tool for rapid natural capital accounting
An innovative artificial intelligence (AI) tool that will make it easier for countries to measure the contributions of nature to their economic prosperity and well‑being was launched today by the United Nations and the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3).
Press Release
Mark Carney, UN Race to Zero campaign and COP26 Presidency launch Net Zero Financial Alliance
The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), chaired by Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, unites over 160 firms (together responsible for assets in excess of US$70 trillion) from the leading net zero initiatives across the financial system to accelerate the transition to net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
Statement
COP Bureau Agrees to Hold Virtual Meeting
The Bureau has agreed to hold a virtual meeting from 31 May 2021 to 17 June 2021. The three-week meeting, that follows the principle of maximizing progress and minimizing delay as previously endorsed by the Bureau, will allow to advance the extensive work that needs to be addressed in preparation for the Climate Conference COP26, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland at the end of the year.
Press Release
UN Biodiversity Convention confirms dates for subsidiary body meetings critical to development of post-2020 global biodiversity framework
Dates and modalities have been confirmed for the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, and the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, two meetings essential to the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be agreed later this year in Kunming, China.
Press Release
UN adopts landmark framework to integrate natural capital in economic reporting
In a move that may reshape decision and policy-making towards sustainable development, the United Nations adopted a new framework today that includes the contributions of nature when measuring economic prosperity and human well-being.
Press Release
IPCC reschedules Working Group I approval session
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has rescheduled the approval session for the Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) to 26-30 July 2021 from April.
Press Release
Countries to consider ground-breaking change to economic reporting that includes natural capital
In a ground-breaking development that could fundamentally reorient economic and policy planning toward sustainable development, countries will begin consideration of a new system to measure economic prosperity and human well-being that includes the contributions of nature at the UN Statistical Commission today. The measure could move toward the process of adoption on Friday.
Press Release
Greater Climate Ambition Urged as Initial NDC Synthesis Report Is Published
UN Climate Change today published the Initial NDC Synthesis Report, showing nations must redouble efforts and submit stronger, more ambitious national climate action plans in 2021 if they’re to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise by 2°C—ideally 1.5°C—by the end of the century.
Press Release
Climate Change ‘Biggest Threat Modern Humans Have Ever Faced’, World-Renowned Naturalist Tells Security Council, Calls for Greater Global Cooperation
Climate change is a “crisis multiplier” that has profound implications for international peace and stability, Secretary-General told the Security Council today, amid calls for deep partnerships within and beyond the United Nations system to blunt its acute effects on food security, natural resources and migration patterns fuelling tensions across countries and regions.
Media Advisory
UN Secretary-General António Guterres to mark U.S. reentry into Paris Agreement with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry
The discussion with the Secretary-General and the Special Presidential Envoy will take place on Friday, 19 February, during the opening session of UNA-USA’s virtual 2021 Global Engagement Summit and will be moderated by Ambassador Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation.
Announcement
Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions
The Secretary-General reappointed Michael R. Bloomberg of the Unites States as Special Envoy on climate Ambition and Solutions. He will help grow the coalition committed to net-zero emissions.
One Planet Summit
French President Emmanuel Macron, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, and President of the World Bank Group David Malpass, are organizing the fourth 'One Planet Summit' which will focus on biodiversity to mobilize commitments to protect ecosystems and make links to human health.
UN Secretary-General’s youth climate advisers urge green jobs-led COVID-19 recovery; warn against greenwashing, polluter bail-outs
The need for greater investments in green jobs is at the top of the youth climate agenda for 2021 according to a new report, compiled by the UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and published today.
A Surge in Ambition and Action
On 12 December, global climate leaders took a major stride towards a resilient, net-zero emissions future, presenting ambitious new commitments, urgent actions and concrete plans to confront the climate crisis. 75 leaders from all continents outlined new commitments, a clear signal that the Paris Agreement is working to steeply increase climate action and ambition.
Achieve the Finance Goal
Meeting the pledge by developed countries to mobilize at least US$100 billion a year to support developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change, lagging even before the COVID-19 pandemic, requires urgent action, according to a new report by independent experts released today by the United Nations.
Cut the Coal
The world must cut fossil fuel production by 6 per cent per year to avoid the worst of global warming. Instead, countries are projecting an average annual increase of 2 per cent. Those are among the sobering findings of the latest Production Gap Report, issued by leading research organizations and the United Nations.
Warmer Than Ever
2020 will likely be one of three warmest years on record, according to the provisional 2020 WMO State of the Global Climate report. Ocean heat is at record levels. Extreme heat, wildfires and floods, as well as a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season, have affected millions of people. Climate impacts are compounding threats to human health, security and economic stability posed by COVID-19.
Investors know: green is smart
Just a decade ago, the world’s largest public company was an oil giant. Now a renewable energy company has surpassed it in value. Investors are piling into clean energy and other green companies because they know climate action is increasingly profitable and key to a sustainable future. For a take by the head of the UN Global Compact, see Why it is smart to invest in the planet.
The forecast: La Niña has begun
Expect changes in temperature, precipitation and storms for the coming year, as La Niña has officially begun, according to the World Meteorological Organization. It is predicted to have a moderate to strong impact, requiring geared-up measures to mitigate impacts on agriculture, health, water resources and other issues sensitive to climate shifts.
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on ROK President Moon Jae-in’s net-zero announcement
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he is very encouraged by President Moon Jae-in’s announcement of the Republic of Korea’s commitment to get to net zero emissions by 2050.
SG’s High-Level Climate Advisory Group
SG’s High-Level Climate Advisory Group UN Secretary-General António Guterres today convened the inaugural meeting of his High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Action to help guide accelerated climate action even as the COVID-19 crisis continues to present an enormous threat. The list of participants can be found here.
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Japanese Prime Minister Suga’s net-zero announcement
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he is very encouraged by Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide's announcement of Japan’s commitment to get to net zero emissions by 2050.
State of Climate Services 2020 Report: Move from Early Warnings to Early Action
Over the past 50 years, extreme weather and climate events have increased in frequency, intensity and severity as result of climate change and hit vulnerable communities disproportionately hard. Yet one in three people are still not adequately covered by early warning systems, according to the 2020 State of Climate Services report released on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
UN Secretary-General's Roundtable shows tide turning for climate action as governments, businesses and investors ramp up ambition
The UN Secretary-General today called for every government, business, civil and international organization in the world to develop a transition plan to net-zero emissions, and boost ambition in finance and adaption as an equal priority to cutting emissions, and the only way to reach the 1.5C temperature goal.
United in Science report: Climate Change has not stopped for COVID19
Climate change has not stopped for COVID19. This is according to a new multi-agency report from leading science organizations, United in Science 2020. The report highlights the increasing and irreversible impacts of climate change, which affects glaciers, oceans, nature, economies and human living conditions.
Seven young climate activists to take formal seat at UN table in Secretary-General’s new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the names of seven young climate leaders – between the ages of 18 and 28 years old – who will advise him regularly on accelerating global action and ambition to tackle the worsening climate crisis.
Over 150 global corporations urge world leaders for net-zero recovery from COVID-19
155 companies — with a combined market capitalization of over US$ 2.4 trillion and representing over 5 million employees — have signed a statement urging governments around the world to align their COVID-19 economic aid and recovery efforts with the latest climate science.
2020 UN Ocean Conference Postponed
In light of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and growing public health concerns, the 2020 United Nations Ocean Conference, which was scheduled to take place from 2 to 6 June in Lisbon, Portugal, has been postponed per decision 74/548 adopted by the General Assembly on 13 April 2020.
COP26 postponed
The COP26 UN climate change conference set to take place in Glasgow in November has been postponed due to COVID-19. Dates for a rescheduled conference in 2021, hosted in Glasgow by the UK in partnership with Italy, will be set out in due course following further discussion with parties.
Amid worsening climate crisis, UN Secretary-General sets out top ten climate action priorities for 2020, vows to stay on frontlines
With the latest data showing global warming-causing emissions still on the rise, UN Secretary-General António Guterres set out ten priority areas where much more action is needed to keep a 1.5C future within reach. The 2019 Climate Action Summit report, released today, cites need for major emitters to step up, urgency of no new coal, and jobs and a just transition, among other key priorities.
COP25 Must Change the Course of Climate Action and Ambition” - High-Level Segment Kicks Off
The High-Level Segment of the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 kicked off today, with urgent reminders that the international community is running out of time to effectively tackle the climate crisis and must change course and step up ambition in order to prevent the worst climate impacts.
WMO: 2019 concludes a decade of exceptional global heat and high-impact weather
The WMO provisional statement on the State of the Global Climate says that the year 2019 concludes a decade of exceptional global heat, retreating ice and record sea levels driven by greenhouse gases from human activities.
COP25 Kicks Off with Calls to Make Serious Progress on Climate Action
The UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid (to 13 December) kicked off today, with urgent calls to make serious progress on climate action over the next two weeks.
UN Climate Change Conference to be Held in Madrid on 2-13 December 2019
UNFCCC accepted the proposal from the Government of Chile to hold the 2019 UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, which was made possible by the offer by the Government of Spain.
PreCOP25 to Raise Climate Ambition Through Sharing Best Practices
Costa Rica opened three days of exchanging best practices for climate action and discussions at PreCOP25 with a focus on raising the ambition required to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and adapting to the worst impacts of climate change.
Governments commit to shared climate action through Least Developed Countries Fund
To fortify global defenses against climate change, six donor countries have renewed their funding commitment to the world’s poorest countries through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), managed by the Global Environment Facility.