News Climate Action

Spotlight on climate action

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.

21 Apr 2024 17:02

NAP Expo 2024

An event poster with a photo of boats on a beach
Image: UNFCCC

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo 2024 will be held from 22-25 April in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The event will promote the exchange of experience and fostering of partnerships between a wide range of Party and non-Party actors and stakeholders on how to advance national adaptation plans.

See the list of events UNEP will be involved in.

19 Apr 2024 23:54

City Academy course on Urban Climate Finance launched at the UrbanShift Forum

 

19 Apr 2024 20:12

Catalyzing climate technology as CTCN hits 10-year anniversary

CTCN event poster

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) today marks 10 years of technology and innovation for adaptation, mitigation, and resilience – in that time, thanks to donor governments and partners, the CTCN has funded over 300 technical assistance projects across 112 developing countries to help them meet their sustainable development commitments under the Paris Agreement.

As part of events to mark the anniversary taking place in Copenhagen, CTCN today releases a report highlighting its work to foster climate resilience and innovation over the past decade. It describes projects ranging from developing green building standards in Zimbabwe to drought risk modelling in Saint Kitts and Nevis, industrial energy efficiency in Pakistan, developing a policy on e-mobility in the Solomon Islands, as well as designs for flood management in Burundi to protect crops from the effects of increasing climate catastrophes.

Read the full press release.

19 Apr 2024 13:32

Global stocktaking marking the completion of the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All

Watch the live streams of the global stocktake:

  1. Part 1
  2. Part 2
18 Apr 2024 12:33

Sign up for the My Sustainable Living Challenge

Colourful illustration of a bird in a tree
Image: UNSSC/UNEP

“My Sustainable Living Challenge,” by UNEP and United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), takes learners on a six-week immersive journey that turns learning into practice through real-life actions.

Register for the course to learn about sustainability, system change, and the impact of your lifestyle across the domains of food, housing, mobility, consumption and leisure by participating in engaging weekly challenges.

17 Apr 2024 09:45

The contribution of volunteering to climate action and community resilience

A collage of UN Volunteers
Image: UNV

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is developing a series of research papers to provide concrete evidence on the contribution of volunteering to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The first research paper in the series, titled the contribution of volunteering to climate action and community resilience, was published in March 2024. It demonstrates how volunteers all over the world are engaging in actions that help communities adapt to, as well as build resilience against the impact of climate change.

It looks at different forms and scales of volunteering, with a focus on community-based or local volunteering and identifies four key areas where the contribution of volunteers to climate action is most visible: knowledge and capacity building, disaster preparedness and response, mitigation and adaptation measures, and climate governance. 

Its findings and recommendations aim to support ongoing efforts at different levels to integrate volunteers and volunteerism into development and climate action plans of United Nations entities and Member States.

Access the full report.

Learn about the UNV programme.

15 Apr 2024 14:55

Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction Workshop on Local and Subnational Stakeholder Engagement

A photo of people surrounding a screen
Photo: UNEP

Following the Local Leaders Roundtable at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris, France on March 7, 2024, the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) convened a vital workshop on April 11th 2024 in Bonn, Germany. This gathering united key stakeholders in multilevel governance within the buildings and construction sector.

The workshop served as a platform to enhance the involvement of subnational stakeholders in the GlobalABC's initiatives. These extend to the activities of its Subnational Stakeholder Engagement Action Group.

Participants engaged in dynamic discussions, leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise to outline strategies for robust collaboration at the local and subnational levels. By fostering stronger engagement, the GlobalABC aims to drive meaningful progress toward sustainable, resilient, and inclusive built environments.

15 Apr 2024 09:11

UN General Assembly Sustainability Week

To mark the passing of the mid-point in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the President of the United Nations General Assembly has commenced Sustainability Week from 15-19 April 2024.

Follow the array of events and join the #ChooseSustainability pledge for people and the planet.

14 Apr 2024 16:12

UN General Assembly Sustainability Week

To mark the passing of the mid-point in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the President of the United Nations General Assembly has commenced Sustainability Week from 15-19 April 2024.

Follow the array of events and join the #ChooseSustainability pledge for people and the planet.

07 Apr 2024 15:22

World Health Day: Explore the link between short-lived climate pollutants and health