51勛圖

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
A climate strike where a young person is holding an sign written "protect your mother"

G20 youth demand climate action

A new poll in G20 countries found large majorities of people under 18 believe the climate emergency requires action now. Accounting for 75 per cent of global emissions, the G20 will determine if temperature rise tops out at 1.5C. 

Country action plans fall short

The latest synthesis of national climate plans confirms emissions targets are not yet ambitious enough. Without a significant course correction, the world will shoot towards a catastrophic 2.7C temperature rise. 

Women dressed in pink are fixing 3 large solar panels

Paris targets at risk

Heat-trapping greenhouse gases reached a new record last year, according to a new report. Despite a temporary decline, the pandemic-related slowdown had no discernible impact on growth rates of emissions. Half of carbon emissions are reabsorbed by oceans and land, but these may be less effective ※sinks§ in the future. 

Breaking up with fossil fuels

Over $400 billion in public funds goes into fossil fuel subsidies each year. Subsidies should be cut but instead they are increasing. What*s the cost of our addiction to oil, coal and gas? 

A new podcast rethinks food

With close links between food and climate change, is it time to think differently about what and how we eat? That*s the provocative question posed by the Better Food, Better World podcast launched by the World Food Programme.

Fossil fuel use sharply off track

Climate ambitions have increased. But a new report shows that government support for fossil fuels would keep production in 2030 at double the rate required to slow the climate crisis. Projections indicate more global oil and gas production, and only a modest decline in coal production. 

Africa: Adaptation urgency grows

Climate change is causing more food insecurity, poverty and displacement in Africa. A new report details the region*s vulnerability and makes a case for investing now in climate adaptation. 

Clean up transport, save $70 trillion

A global conference on sustainable transportation is spearheading climate-critical solutions to reduce emissions from cars, planes and other modes of getting around. Such a shift could deliver cleaner air, better access to services and jobs, and considerable savings.

A landmark on climate and rights

The Human Rights Council for the first time recognized the human right to a clean, sustainable environment. It upped the ante on rights and climate by establishing a special rapporteur on the issue.

Doctors prescribe climate action

45 million doctors agree. Human health depends on climate action. A new report stresses that unsustainable choices killing our planet are also killing people. 

Youth convene to drive action

Almost 400 young people from 186 countries will meet in Milan to rev up the call for climate action. With weeks to go before COP26, they will highlight youth leadership and push for a climate conscious society. Tune in for in-depth debates, the day of cinema and the #Music4Climate concert featuring the world's largest rock band.

Photocomposition: a magnifying glass focusing on the African continent

It*s Climate Week for Africa

People across Africa are convening virtually this week to take the pulse of climate action, explore possibilities for action and showcase ambitious solutions. They will spotlight all that can be done in the region to slow rising temperatures and adapt to climate consequences that are already in motion. Leading up to pivotal global climate talks at in Glasgow, attention and action are more critical than ever. 

A smokestack industry is shown, with a lot of smoke going from the chimneys to the sky.

Country action plans fall short of Paris goals

The latest synthesis of national climate action plans finds some progress, but overall plans are falling short in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing temperature rise.

Firefighters in Queensland, Australia, tackle a blaze in January 2020

A call for bold action in Australia

In Australia, the UN climate action chief urged backing long-term net-zero commitments with ambitious 2030 targets and plans. This will help protect the country*s high standard of living by averting disasters, creating new jobs and improving health. 

Houses and buildings flooded

Early warnings save lives

A new report shows a fivefold rise in climate-related disasters over the last 50 years. Economic costs have skyrocketed. But better disaster management has significantly reduced the loss of life. Read .