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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The IKEA Foundation has granted $100 million to the Drive Electric Campaign, aimed at decarbonizing road transport by accelerating the shift to 100% zero-emissions vehicles. This move is crucial in aligning with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, particularly emphasizing the need for zero-emission electric mobility. Through a Leapfrogging partnership, this funding will bolster the efforts of local partners in overcoming obstacles hindering the adoption of electric vehicles in emerging economies across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Considering projections that the global vehicle fleet will double by 2050, with over 90% of this growth anticipated in low and middle-income countries, this investment presents an opportunity for these emerging markets to pivot towards electric mobility. The transport sector's escalating contribution to climate emissions, coupled with its impact on air quality, underscores the urgency of such initiatives.
UNEP’s Global Electric Mobility Programme is a partner of the Drive Electric Campaign, supporting more than 70 countries in the global south with transitioning to zero emissions electric mobility. The new grant will allow UNEP to work closely with the Drive Electric Campaign and the other Drive Electric Campaign partners to support a rapid shift to electric vehicles, promoting cleaner air, advancing climate objectives, and facilitating a just transition.
REN21 launches it's Global Overview Module today as part of the Renewables 2024 Global Status Report (GSR 2024).
Since 2023, REN21 has been releasing the Global Status Report as a series of modules to rigorously cover the energy system from its different elements, including demand, supply, systems and infrastructure, and economic and social value creation. At the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, 130 countries pledged to triple renewable energy capacity and double the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
As the first module of the GSR 2024 series, the Global Overview provides the big picture status of renewables in the wider energy system and in the context of global challenges such as climate change, development goals, and the geopolitical landscape, and has some positive news:
Register to join the launch event taking place at 3 PM CET/ 4 PM EAT.
