Responding to climate change

Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges faced by societies today. It has significant implications on energy, food and water security as well as health and safety for countries and people around the world.

Over the years, the pan-European region has seen an increase in the rate and magnitude of extreme weather conditions. As a result of longer dry periods and more frequent heat waves, countries in the region are increasingly experiencing water stress resulting in lower crop production and increasing wildfires. Storms and floods are also intensifying in both frequency and force, with far reaching consequences for communities across the region.

New types of policies, partnerships and instruments will be needed to scale up present climate change efforts and address this growing challenge.

The UN Environment Programme supports countries in addressing climate change through four main avenues: adaptation and building resilience to climate change; mitigation and moving towards low carbon societies; reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation; and finance for new models for the green economy.

Projects

UNEP is promoting a joint dialogue on mountain ecosystems in the context of climate change and adaptation

Climate change action in developing countries with fragile mountainous ecosystems

 

 

In the Himalayas, global warming is happening 75% faster than the global average. 'Vanishing Treasures' - protecting vulnerable mountain species