World Mountain Day
Healthy mountain ecosystems help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Mountain forests and grasslands cool local temperatures, increase water retention, store carbon from the atmosphere, and reduce the risks of erosion and landslides. But mountains are under threat from climate change. Rising temperatures also mean that mountain glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, affecting freshwater supplies downstream for millions of people.
Human Rights Day
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the landmark document that enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone everywhere is entitled to as a human being. Climate change poses a serious risk to several human rights, including the rights to life, water, food, and health. Under human rights law, States have an obligation to prevent the foreseeable adverse effects of climate change and protect those most affected by climate impacts.
World Soil Day
Soil provides vital services, such as oxygen, food and water, that are essential for life. Without healthier soils and more sustainable land management, we cannot tackle the climate crisis, produce enough food and adapt to a changing climate. Learn more about the relationship between climate and land here.
UN Climate Change Conference (COP28)
With global temperatures hitting record highs, and extreme weather events affecting people around the globe, this years UN climate change conference, COP28, is a pivotal opportunity to correct course and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis. COP28 is where the world will take stock of progress on the Paris Agreement the landmark climate treaty concluded in 2015 and chart a course of action to dramatically reduce emissions and protect lives and livelihoods.
World Sustainable Transport Day
Transport is vital for promoting connectivity, trade, economic growth and employment. Yet it is also implicated as a significant source of pollution, with the sector accounting for roughly 15 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. The transport sector is, therefore, central to combatting climate change and achieving sustainable development. Learn more about making sustainable lifestyle choices when it comes to transport here.
Asia-Pacific Climate Week
Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2023 takes place in Johor Bahru, hosted by the government of Malaysia, and provides a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome and opportunities realized in the region. The 2023 regional climate weeks are being held to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 and the conclusion of the first global stocktake.
World Tsunami Awareness Day
With climate change leading to more disasters and extreme weather events like tsunamis, the need for early warning systems is more crucial than ever. Yet, currently, only half of the countries worldwide have adequate multi-hazard early warning systems. Launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2022, the Early Warnings for All initiative is an effort to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by an early warning system by 2027.
Pre-COP28
The Pre-COP brings together ministers to prepare for COP28, discuss the key political aspects of the negotiations, find solutions to outstanding issues, and set the tone for the COP28 meeting.
Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week
Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW) is the third of four Regional Climate Weeks held in 2023 to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 and the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake. Hosted by the government of Panama in Panama City, LACCW 2023 provides a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome, and opportunities realized in the region.
World Food Day
Understanding the impact our food systems have on the planet is both an area for awareness and an important opportunity for mitigating climate change. Today, the global food system is responsible for about one third of greenhouse gas emissions and is the of methane and biodiversity loss. Learn more about how what we eat, and how that food is produced, affects the environment here.
World Migratory Bird Day
Under the theme, water and its importance for migratory birds, World Migratory Bird Day 2023 calls attention to how the increasing human demand for water, pollution, and climate change, are having a direct impact on the availability of clean water and the conservation status of many migratory birds. Learn more about how climate change impacts the worlds water here.
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Climate change is causing more frequent and extreme weather events, resulting in widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people. These impacts are often experienced most by those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis, which exacerbates existing inequalities. The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative aims to help break the cycle of disaster and growing inequality and to ensure everyone on earth is covered by early warnings in the next four years. Learn more about EW4All here.
Middle East and North Africa Climate Week
Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (MENA CW) is the second of four Regional Climate Weeks held in 2023 to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 and the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake. Hosted by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, MENA CW 2023 provides a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome, and opportunities realized in the region.
World Cotton Day
As one of the worlds largest crops and the natural fibre in the textile sector, cotton is heavily affected by the changing climate. Increased temperatures, drought, and unpredictable weather due to climate change are already impacting cotton productivity, which not only affects local economies, but also global supply chains. Today, only of cotton is being sustainably produced, but the demand for more sustainable cotton is growing and the sector is determined to adapt.
Climate Ambition Summit
UN Secretary-General Ant籀nio Guterres will convene a Climate Ambition Summit during the 51勛圖 General Assembly high-level week. Leaders from governments, business, cities and regions, civil society and finance are called on to present credible, serious and new climate action and nature-based solutions that will move the needle forward and respond to the urgency of the climate crisis.
SDG Summit
World leaders will gather at the SDG Summit in New York for the mid-point review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the implementation of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer
Successful ozone protection through the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment has not only averted a major health catastrophe, it has also slowed climate change and set an important precedent for climate action. It is a powerful example of multilateralism, showing us what can and must be done to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and so limit temperature increase.
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
Air pollution and climate change are closely linked. The fine particles that pollute our air mostly come from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for transport or electricity. Switching to clean sources of energy, such as wind and solar, thus helps address not only climate change but also air pollution and health. Learn more about renewable energy here.
Africa Climate Week
Africa Climate Week is one of four Regional Climate Weeks held in 2023 to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 and the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake. Hosted by the government of Kenya, Africa Climate Week will be organized in parallel with the (4-6 September), also hosted by Kenya.
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous youth are harnessing cutting-edge technologies and developing new skills to offer solutions and contribute to a more sustainable, peaceful future for our people and planet. But their future depends as well on the decisions that are made today. Their representation and participation in global efforts towards climate change mitigation crucial for the effective implementation of their rights as indigenous.
