Small Island Developing States don鈥檛 need to be told that climate change is real 鈥 they鈥檙e already seeing the impact. Many of these countries are only a few metres above sea level, leaving them vulnerable to and disproportionately affected by climate change-driven shocks and hazards. We must enable governments to make better-informed investment decisions when it comes to designing and building infrastructure that can withstand climate change-driven threats. UNOPS is helping countries like Saint Lucia to protect its people and infrastructure from the threat of climate change and build resilience to its impact.
Climate
Reducing climate change effects and risks in Bosnia and Herzegovina
鈥檚 novel provides real-time data on fine particulate matter in the atmosphere from fires, informing scientists, policy-makers and citizens alike. The platform is a collaboration between the UN and Swiss firm IQAir, which operates its own air quality monitoring platform. At maximum zoom-out, it shows a map of the planet, with arrows depicting wind patterns and air quality areas represented by a shading system; green is good, yellow moderate, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Unaddressed, climate change will entail a potentially catastrophic human and economic toll, but it鈥檚 not too late to change course. Global temperatures have increased by about 1掳C since the pre-industrial era because of heat-trapping green-house gases accumulating in the atmosphere. The makes the case that economic policy tools can pave a road toward net zero emissions by 2050 even as the world seeks to recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Policies can be pursued in a manner that supports economic growth, employment and income equality.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is so active that it has exhausted the regular list of storm names. The Greek alphabet is now being used for only the second time on record.
COVID-19 has not stopped the . The damage inflicted by climate change continues to mount, from worsening wildfires, floods and storms, to rising food insecurity and economic loss. As the impact from climate change worsens around the world, UN Secretary-General, Ant贸nio Guterres, is convening a roundtable of 20 global climate leaders. The event will showcase high-impact actions and ambition to confront the climate crisis through six climate-positive examples. Follow this 90-minute virtual event on September 24th, 11:30 a.m. EDT. Climate action is needed now more than ever!
Giving vulnerable Bangladeshis the resources to cope with climate change
Anyone anywhere can access multidimensional maps and statistics showing key climate and environmental trends wherever they are, thanks to a new tool developed by Google and .
When 鈥檚 early warning system indicated a possible drought, field staff consulted with the farmers likely to be the most affected before tailoring action plans to their needs.
Just after the world came together for the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, the Bank Group unveiled an ambitious to ramp up financial and technical support to developing countries to step up climate action. The committed to increasing climate finance from 20% of lending in 2016 to 28% by 2020. This target was exceeded each year for the last three consecutive years. In total, over the duration of the Action Plan, the Bank Group has delivered over $83 billion in climate finance.
, the new multi-agency report coordinated by , highlights the increasing and irreversible impacts of climate change, which affects glaciers, oceans, nature, economies and human living conditions. It also documents how COVID-19 has impeded our ability to monitor these changes. Emissions are heading in the direction of pre-pandemic levels following a temporary decline caused by the lockdown and economic slowdown. The world is set to see its warmest five years on record 鈥 in a trend which is likely to continue.
Despite the tendency for La Ni帽a to have a cooling effect on global temperatures overall, above-average temperatures are expected to be predominant.
Keeping it local: Activating the power of community for climate resilience in Bangladesh
Global consumers are warming up to electric cars, whose sales are expected to jump from 3 million vehicles in 2017 to 23 million in 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. Similar growth is expected for rechargeable batteries. While this is great news for efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, an says the expected boom in mining for the raw materials used to make rechargeable batteries raises environmental and social concerns that must be urgently addressed.
As the world plans for a post-pandemic recovery, the United Nations is calling on Governments to seize the opportunity to 鈥渂uild back better鈥 by creating more sustainable, resilient and inclusive societies. 鈥淲e need to turn the recovery into a real opportunity to do things right for the future,鈥 said UN Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres. The United Nations devises a blueprint for a healthier planet and society that leaves no one behind. Mr. Guterres proposed six climate-related actions to shape the recovery. Actions are being taken across the UN system to ensure a more resilient future.