Many parties to UNEP CoP not paying arrears, flags document

According to the document, 20 countries did not contribute for three or more years  

Why we need a circular economy

Reusing products is not only necessary for a sustainable future, but also makes business sense

Athens Declaration adopted by 21 countries

Marking the 40th anniversary of Barcelona Convention, the declaration commits to reduce pressure on marine environment

India bats for safekeeping elephant habitats, but is it ready itself?

India proposes putting Asian / Indian elephants in Appendix I of CMS CoP 13 in Gandhinagar

Only 38% UN members have laws for minimum lead concentration in paints

This is worrying as lead contamination can have adverse health impacts on humans

David Attenborough receives the UN’s most distinguished environment award

Attenborough’s career as a broadcaster, natural historian, author and environmental advocate spans over seven decades

Air pollution: European countries making strides, but others lagging behind

Dangerous air quality levels continue to be recorded throughout Europe and Central Asia, despite imprpvement in slashing emssions, UNEP study notes

More protected: 82% countries raised cover for vulnerable areas in a decade

Over 21 million square kilometres has been placed within protected and conserved areas since 2010, the report states

17% of all food available at consumer levels was wasted in 2019, reveals Food Waste Index

Reducing food waste would also help improve food security, address climate change, save money and lower pressures on the environment  

COP15: Will ministers succeed where negotiators have failed?

With just a few days remaining before the end of COP15, there are high expectations from High-Level Segment

Climate Emergency CoP 25: Climatic tipping point is closer than we think

Scientists confirm that we are indeed in a climate emergency

World must cut annual emissions by 7.6% till 2030 to meet 1.5°C target: UNEP

Even if current commitments under the Paris Agreement are implemented, temperatures are expected to rise by 3.2°C

‘The world doesn’t need a treaty on plastic waste reduction’

UNEP chief Erik Solheim, during his visit to India, the global host for World Environment Day, says unlike climate change, plastic waste can be …

UNEP releases adaptation gap report 2015

Says the costs of adaptation could be in the range of US$280-$500 billion

Africa optimistic as COP27 offers bright outlook and opportunities

Civil society members calling for balance between funds that go to mitigation & adaptation

UN takes note of global indigenous fire practices to control wildfires

Indigenous and traditional fire management techniques must be incorporated into policy, UN report says

UNEP’s Fire Ready Formula: Invest more in preventing wildfires

The Formula envisages allocating 66% of funds for planning, prevention, preparedness and recovery and 34% for response

Wildfires will be more frequent, larger and intense due to climate change: UNEP

Lightning strikes and air pollution will also increase due to wildfires according to the UNEP Frontiers report

Clean, healthy and sustainable environment a universal right: UN Human Rights Council

UNEP executive director calls on UN member states to consider passing a resolution on right to a clean environment, on the lines of UN Human …

Energy in news on June 6

Here’s a round-up of today’s news reports and debates on energy

Climate change intensifies migration

Over 12,700 people worldwide died or went missing as a result of natural and man-mad disasters in 2014, says a new study

Rise of AMR could result in up to 10 million annual deaths by 2050: UN report

Some 24 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty due to rising AMR, the UNEP said

175 countries commit to forge internationally binding treaty on plastic pollution by 2024

The resolution establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to complete a draft global legally binding agreement by the end of 2024

World freed from toxic leaded petrol: A global win

While global eradication of toxic lead in petrol needs to be celebrated, this also reminds us how tough it is to undo wrong if the evidence of …

Nitrogen pollution limits safe margin for other environmental issues, say scientists

Fertilizers are among a predominant source of nitrous oxide and ammonia pollution, say scientists at 8th Conference of the International Nitrogen …