2024: UN President and WHO Highlight Climate Crisis in End-of-Year Warnings
2024 is on track to become the hottest year on record, marking the culmination of a decade of unprecedented heat, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The stark reality has prompted urgent calls to action from global leaders, including UN Secretary-General and WHO representatives.
Labour’s Clean Power Target: Balancing Ambition and Reality
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has outlined a bold vision for Britain’s energy future, announcing a target to achieve 95% clean power by 2030. The announcement was part of a broader "plan for change," which includes six major milestones designed to address critical national challenges, from housing to healthcare.
Forests Redefined: Examining Ecosystems, Perception, and the Cost of Green Goals
Forests are often called the lungs of the planet, and for good reason. They play a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate, absorbing roughly 2.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually, and storing vast amounts of carbon to mitigate climate change. Beyond their role in climate regulation, forests protect biodiversity, house over 80% of land-based species, and provide essential ecosystem services such as water filtration and soil stabilization.
UN Plastic Treaty Talks Collapse Amid Oil Nation Resistance
The highly anticipated fifth round of the United Nations negotiations on a global plastic treaty (#INC5), held in Busan, South Korea, ended without an agreement, highlighting deep divides between nations. The talks, which marked two years of negotiations, were expected to culminate in a landmark treaty addressing the escalating plastic crisis, but procedural delays and disagreements thwarted progress.
Global Reactions to COP29: A Spectrum of Opinions
The COP29 summit in Baku sparked a wave of varied responses from across the globe. From sharp criticisms of the $300 billion climate finance commitment to cautious optimism surrounding the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, reactions highlight the stark contrasts in priorities and expectations.
COP29 Concludes Amid Criticism of Insufficient Climate Finance Commitments
The COP29 summit in Baku ended with a mix of optimism and frustration over the Baku Finance Goal (BFG), the centerpiece agreement to address the financing needs of developing countries in combating climate change. While a headline target of $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 was adopted, critics argue the commitment falls short where it matters most—real, actionable funding.
As COP29 Negotiations Enter Final Days, Climate Finance Goals Remain Unresolved
As COP29 in Baku approaches its conclusion, discussions are intensifying over the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). This trillion-dollar framework, designed to support developing countries in managing climate-related disasters and fostering prevention strategies, remains the summit’s most contentious issue.
Open Letter Calls for COP Reform Amidst Rising Climate Challenges
A collective of prominent climate experts has issued an open letter to global leaders and the UN leadership, advocating for significant reforms to the COP process. While recognizing the historic achievements of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in fostering global agreements on climate change, the signatories argue that the current framework is insufficient to address the urgent and escalating climate crisis.
Highlights from COP29: Global Leaders Tackle Climate Goals Amid Controversy and New Commitments
As COP29 begins in Baku, Azerbaijan, the first days have seen bold speeches, ambitious pledges, and calls for accountability, emphasizing both the challenges and possibilities in tackling climate change. The summit gathers leaders from around the world to negotiate solutions for an increasingly urgent climate crisis.
Trump Appoints Former Congressman Lee Zeldin to Lead Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday the appointment of former Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin, who has consistently supported energy independence and opposed strict fossil fuel regulations, has often voted against legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy.
COP29 Kicks Off in Azerbaijan Amid Controversy and Urgency
Today, the 29th annual Conference of the Parties (COP29) begins in Baku, Azerbaijan, drawing world leaders from nearly 200 nations to discuss critical steps toward climate action. This year’s summit holds particular weight as it’s hosted by Azerbaijan, a major oil-producing nation—an aspect stirring debate over the choice of venue.