Climate Change
Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns. Unexpected changes in weather patterns make it difficult to maintain and grow crops in regions that rely on farming because expected temperature and rainfall levels can no longer be counted on. Climate change has also been connected with other damaging weather events, such as more frequent and more intense hurricanes, typhoons, floods, downpours, and winter storms. Climate change is largely caused by human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. Carbon emissions from fossil fuels, methane, and nitrous oxide, among others, are called “greenhouse gases.” When released into the Earth’s atmosphere, these gases trap heat from the sun’s rays causing Earth’s average temperature to rise. This rise in the planet's temperature is called global warming. While the climate has continually changed throughout the Earth's history, it has usually been a slow process over thousands of years. Climate change caused by human activity is occurring at a much faster and more dangerous rate.
Events and Articles
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GGGI at COP 26
The Global Green Growth Institute brought Members and partners together in Glasgow to share knowledge, lessons, and experiences on such topics as: carbon pricing and market mechanisms; approaches to climate-smart COVID-19 recovery; NDC targets and green jobs creation; targets and strategies towards net-zero; innovative and sustainable finance; and gender and social inclusion in climate action.
Multilevel Action Pavilion at COP 26
Organized by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the Scottish Government, more than 60 side events at the Glasgow Climate Change Conference followed the daily themes set out by the COP Presidency while providing a place for debate, knowledge exchange, and success stories of sub-national climate action and collaboration with other levels of government.
FAO at COP 26
These COP 26 side events aimed to reinforce FAO’s commitment to supporting countries in the climate negotiations, particularly through enhancing action related to food and agriculture, ecosystems and biodiversity, and working with countries to access climate finance.
NAP Global Network at COP 26
The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network focused its side events at the Glasgow Climate Change Conference on ecosystem-based adaptation, adaptation communications, and inclusivity when building plans to adapt to climate change impacts.
Glasgow Climate Change Conference
Despite divisive negotiations at COP 26, parties managed to finalize the Paris Agreement Rulebook and adopt other substantive outcomes. During the closing plenaries, parties reflected that the overall package was not perfect, and many stressed that they were adopting the package “in the spirit of compromise.”
Tackling the Climate Implementation Gap: Are Rights the “Missing Middle”?
Participants reflected on the role of rights-based approaches and international partnerships in fostering inclusive climate governance at the national and sub-national levels in Africa.
The Paradox of Pledging
With less than a month until the Glasgow Climate Change Conference, we ask: Is flexibility justified in environmental action?
High-level Dialogue on Energy
The first high-level meeting to tackle energy issues under the United Nations General Assembly in 40 years demonstrated broad interest in accelerating ambition towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) on affordable and clean energy and the net-zero emissions by 2050 goal of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Energy Action Days
Immediately prior to the High-level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE), Energy Action Days brought together representatives of business, foundations, cities, youth and other segments of civil society to announce “Energy Compact” commitments.
Climate Resilience through the Right to Food: Perspectives on the UN Food Systems Summit
In the first of a two-part series, stakeholders discussed the right to food as an entry point for transforming current unequal and unsustainable development trends.