The climate emergency is a direct consequence of carbon-heavy land-use and agriculture, transport, buildings and industrial processes and polluting energy sources. Without profound changes to these sectors and a drastic cut to carbon footprints, there is little hope of protecting the planet from the devastating effects of a warmer world.
Below are climate-related news and events from the United Nations and partners.
At the UN Ocean Conference, the UN Secretary-General urged countries to “develop concrete national plans aligned with global targets.”
These national climate plans or NDCs 3.0 are more than climate pledges. Done right, they are blueprints for clean jobs, food and water security, and healthier oceans.
They can drive investment in marine restoration, end illegal fishing and plastic pollution, and boost coastal resilience while unlocking trillions in economic returns.
As part of its Local, Integrated Energy Systems support programme, UNEP—together with UNECE and funded by the Governments of Italy and Germany—organized a transformative 3-day study visit to Bolzano, Italy, from 3-5 June, for 10 officials from five Ukrainian cities and regions.
Renowned as a global powerhouse in developing clean energy with a local approach, Bolzano and the Alto Adige/South Tirol region offered the Ukrainian delegation a unique opportunity to witness first-hand how integrated, local energy solutions can power sustainable development. Over the course of the visit, the group explored cutting-edge district energy systems, waste-to-energy technologies, sustainable bioenergy, and high-efficiency renovations of social housing and public buildings.
The study tour culminated with an inspiring meeting at the regional government headquarters with Governor Arno Kompatscher, to understand the remarkable story of Alto Adige’s evolution from post-war recovery to a modern, clean energy and economic powerhouse.
UNEP extends our sincere thanks to our hosts at EURAC for their flawless organization and for opening doors to a rich network of experts, technical sites, and local leaders who made this experience so impactful for our Ukrainian colleagues.
10 years after the Paris Agreement, leaders from the Cool Coalition call for sustainable cooling in NDCs 3.0.
This Aviation Climate Week, ICAO brings the global aviation community together presenting a powerful opportunity to show that coordinated, smart action delivers wins for both people and the planet.
Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, delivered remarks on World Environment Day, which calls on us to #BeatPlasticPollution and reminds us that change starts with the choices we make.
From what we produce to what we discard, our decisions can shape markets, shift industries, and drive systemic transformation.
The aviation sector is no exception. In his remarks during ICAO’s Aviation Climate Week, Krause highlighted that single-use plastic waste, identified in ICAO’s 2024 toolkit, is a growing concern, especially with air traffic projected to grow by 4.3% annually. From cabin waste to packaging and airport disposables, the sector has a clear opportunity to lead: eliminating waste while cutting emissions, restoring ecosystems, and creating economic value.
As ICAO convenes the global aviation community, it’s vital to acknowledge that while aviation drives economic development and global connectivity, it also accounts for around 2.4% of global CO₂ emissions, mostly from international flights, which are not included in national inventories and remain hard to regulate.
From single-use plastics in the cabin to excess packaging in logistics and waste discarded at airports, the industry can lead the charge, not only to eliminate waste but also to pioneer innovative solutions that reduce emissions, restore ecosystems, and deliver economic value.
This is a moment to lead with integrity and grounded in science and collaboration.
UNEP participated in the 5th Global Conference of the OPN Sustainable Food Systems Programme, held in May 2025 under the theme “Overcoming the Barriers to Food Systems Transformation.” The event brought together global stakeholders to align food systems action with nutrition, equity, climate, and biodiversity goals ahead of the upcoming UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (Addis Ababa, July 2025) and COP30 (Belém, November 2025).
As part of the programme, UNEP convened two Solutions Workshops, contributing to global efforts to accelerate progress toward sustainable food systems and feeding into the upcoming Food Waste Breakthrough, to be launched at COP30 led by UNEP , the UN Climate Champions and country champions Brazil and Japan.
1. Workshop 6: Scaling Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Reduction
2. Workshop 4: Inclusive Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Action
"Cities that embed and prioritize nature reap multiple benefits. They can reduce emissions and protect people by using natural cooling, shading and flood barriers. They can create urban food systems that deliver affordable and nutritious food. They can improve physical and mental health: because exposure to nature makes us healthier," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP at the resumed Second Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly.
Across the Global South, local communities are on the frontlines of climate change but remain largely excluded from the financial systems meant to support adaptation. While adaptation finance is growing, much of it fails to reach those most affected due to inaccessible funding mechanisms, short-term investment horizons, and a lack of meaningful local input. Local actors possess vital knowledge of their ecosystems and challenges, yet their insights are often sidelined in top-down financial decision-making.
In response, the “Bridging the Gap” workshop in February 2025 brought together local leaders, financial institutions, and development actors to address these issues. Key recommendations from local voices included co-developing adaptation strategies with communities, embedding resilience into investment processes, and creating more inclusive, flexible financing tools. These changes are essential not only for ethical reasons but also to ensure adaptation efforts are effective, scalable, and sustainable.
Financial institutions have a central role in shifting the status quo. By prioritizing local perspectives in investment design, risk assessments, and long-term partnerships, they can reduce risks and unlock innovative, community-driven solutions. UNEP FI and its partners are helping financial institutions implement these changes through new frameworks, pilot projects, and tools that support adaptation finance in vulnerable regions—moving from business-as-usual toward climate resilience that truly works for the frontlines.
At the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, UN-Habitat and UNEP renewed their commitment to accelerate joint solutions for resilient, inclusive, and low-emission cities.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat and Martin Krause, Director of UNEP’s climate change division, announced the renewed Greener Cities Partnership, reaffirming over a decade of collaboration between UNEP and UN-Habitat. The partnership brings together UNEP’s environmental policy expertise and UN-Habitat’s grounded urban knowledge to help countries and cities respond to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The renewed focus of the partnership centres on three priority areas: low-emission, resilient and affordable buildings and neighbourhoods; resilient infrastructure and access to basic services; and biodiverse, inclusive urban planning and design.
This relaunch coincided with an announcement of key climate and environment milestones for 2025 aimed to strengthen multilevel collaboration and support cities in delivering on climate and development goals.
With countries submitting their updated national climate plans (NDCs 3.0) and global attention turning to implementation, the milestones outlined provide a clear roadmap for transforming commitments into local climate action that improves lives and builds a better urban future for all.
The United Nations Secretary-General warned on 23 May that Himalayan glaciers are “caving in,” urging immediate action to address the climate crisis, especially in the world’s most fragile ecosystems.
António Guterres issued the warning in a video message to the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad, or “Everest Dialogue,” convened by the Government of Nepal in Kathmandu.
“Record temperatures have meant record glacier melt,” he said.
Named after Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali), the international platform convened ministers, parliamentarians, climate experts, and civil society to focus on climate change, mountain ecosystems, and sustainability.
Are you a journalist or media creator focused on nature and climate issues?
The Belem Desk initiative fosters informed nature and climate reporting by connecting Brazilian, Indigenous, and global media with experts to address key agenda items ahead of COP30.
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Applications close on 30 May.
