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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Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2024
Parties will discuss lessons learned from the first Global Stocktake, progress on developing reporting tools under the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework, and support for developing countries to prepare their biennial transparency reports (which all parties are to submit in 2024).
Blue Leaders High-Level Event on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
Discussions focused on kickstarting the implementation of the new BBNJ treaty, especially by identifying marine protected areas. Many also underscored ocean-climate linkages and highlighted the importance of global cooperation on ocean science.
UNEA-6 and OECPR-6
Under the theme “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” delegates adopted 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a Ministerial Declaration, covering topics including the highly hazardous pesticides, sustainable lifestyles, sand and dust storms, and environmental recovery in areas affected by armed conflict.
66th Meeting of the GEF Council
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council Members will consider a new work program of the GEF Trust Fund under GEF’s eighth replenishment cycle, how to streamline the GEF project cycle, and possible actions to support the new agreement on conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
GEF Consultation with Civil Society on the Role of CSOs in Building Sustainable, Resilient, and Inclusive Cities
GEF held its semiannual thematic consultation with civil society organizations, with a dialogue focused ont he role of CSOs in building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities, with examples of best practice and lessons learned to strengthen CSO engagement in future GEF urban investments.
60th Session of the IPCC (IPCC-60)
Delegates took crucial decisions on its work plan for seventh assessment cycle, including on the products and timelines for its outputs. Deliberations illuminated diverging views and priorities, and what might have been a straightforward agenda setting exercise evolved into fraught deliberations that ran all night Friday and well into Saturday morning.
Investing in Climate Solutions: Strategies and Innovative Finance for Decarbonized Growth
Panelists discussed the role of financial institutions and investors in driving climate action, as well as how innovative financial solutions like carbon pricing systems can accelerate the adoption of low-carbon technologies.
Ocean High Level Event: Powering the Ocean Breakthroughs with 100% Sustainable Ocean Management
Oceans-based climate solutions require unprecedented levels of action, cooperation, and collaboration. This event cast a spotlight on progress toward improving sustainable oceans planning through the development and implementation of Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs) as part of the Ocean Breakthroughs agenda.
Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s Ministerial Meeting: Immediate Action on Climate and Clean Air, Bold Financing and Swift Measures on Non-CO2 Super Pollutant Greenhouse Gases
Amidst a spotlight on non-CO2 pollutants at this COP, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC), found renewed pledges of financial support and calls for fast action from its membership at its annual high-level ministerial.
Uniting for Climate Action: Calling for International Cooperation on Technology and Innovation Objectives
Technology plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change around the world. The UNFCCC's Technology Mechanism accelerates and enhances the development and transfer of climate technologies to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.