Countries most at risk, lead the way on climate action
New York: Vulnerable countries are stepping up and taking climate action, amid a slow response from some of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide, said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Thursday.
World Heritage forests releasing more carbon than they absorb: UNESCO
New York: Forests in at least 10 World Heritage sites have become net sources of carbon, due to pressure from human activity and climate change, according to a new report released on Thursday, by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Green industrial policies key for climate adaptation in developing world
New York: Green industrial policies will be critical for developing countries to adapt to climate change, UN trade and development body UNCTAD said in a report published on Thursday.
General Assembly debate underscores need to deliver on climate action
New York: Bridging the financial and technical gaps that will limit global warming, is the focus of a high-level debate in the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
New York: New and updated commitments made ahead of the pivotal climate conference COP26 in the past months are a positive step forward, but the world remains on track for a dangerous global temperature rise of at least 2.7°C this century even if fully met, a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned.
Middle East Green Initiative: ‘pathbreaking work’ to protect the planet
New York: The Middle East Green Initiative launch in Saudi Arabia on Monday was hailed by the UN’s deputy chief as a valuable commitment and strategic vision, to transition regional economies away from unsustainable development, to a model “fit for the challenges of the 21st century”.
COP26: Praise for updated national climate plans, but ‘nowhere near’ goal
New York: New or updated climate action plans by governments can be effective in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but greater efforts are needed to keep global warming at bay, the UN climate change office (UNFCCC) said in a new report on Monday.
UN chief calls for China commitment to ‘ambitious’ climate goals
New York: The UN Secretary-General on Monday called on China to present an “ambitious” Nationally Determined Contribution in the run-up to the UN Climate Conference, COP26, starting in Glasgow at the end of this week.
‘No time to lose’ in curbing greenhouse gases – WMO report
New York: Last year, heat-trapping greenhouse gases reached a new record, surging above the planet's 2011-2020 average, and has continued in 2021, according to a new report published on Monday by the UN weather agency.
Hydrogen fuel cell to usher in a cataclysmic change in the whole energy eco-system: Gen V K Singh
Kolkata/IBNS: Hydrogen Fuel cell is the future and will bring about a cataclysmic change in the energy eco-system, according to Union minister General V K Singh of State for Road Transport & Highways and Civil Aviation.
'Landmark decision’ gives legal teeth to protect environmental defenders
New York: A 46-strong group of countries across the wider European region has agreed to establish a new legally binding mechanism that would protect environmental defenders, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) said on Friday.
Madagascar: Severe drought could spur world’s first climate change famine
New York: More than one million people in southern Madagascar are struggling to get enough to eat, due to what could become the first famine caused by climate change, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
Plastic pollution on course to double by 2030
New York: Plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water continues to grow sharply and could more than double by 2030, according to an assessment released on Thursday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
1.5 billion people, living with soil too salty to be fertile
New York: Between 20 to 50 per cent of irrigated soils in all continents have grown too salty to be fully fertile, creating significant challenges for more than 1.5 billion people trying to grow their own food.
Fossil fuel production ‘dangerously out of sync’ with climate change targets
New York: Despite increased climate ambition and net-zero commitments, governments still plan to produce more than double the amount of energy from fossil fuels in 2030, than the amount that would limit global warming to the Paris Agreement level of 1.5°C.