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

‘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 …

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

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

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 …

Convention on Biological Diversity: Draft recommendation to focus on One Health approach, COVID-19

The draft also addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health, well-being and biodiversity

Mercury pollution: Parties to Minamata Convention discuss non-binding declaration but can it help

United Nations, Indonesia call for support from parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury

Methane emissions to rise 5-13% by 2030 from 2020 levels under business-as-usual scenario: Report

Human activities release 350-390 million tonnes of methane annually

Is India‘s draft resolution to tackle plastic pollution practical

India’s framework proposed a voluntary approach rather than a legally-binding one

Nature to tackle environment challenges: Triple investments by 2030, says UN report

Current investments of $133 billion comprise about 0.10% of global gross domestic product, most of which come from public sources  

Green innovation steals the show at SEED Awards

An Indian enterprise and 27 African ventures win prize for sustainable business models empowering communities

‘Others can learn from India’s approach to contain AMR at state level’

Roderico H Ofrin, WHO India’s representative, discusses the role played by his organisation in tackling antimicrobial resistance in India

Adaptation finance for agriculture is the need of the hour

Efforts for adaptation finance will have to be multiplied greatly as the needs of today are not being met, leave alone the needs of a more …

Plastic pollution in aquatic systems may triple by 2040: UNEP

Around 23-37 million tonnes of waste could end up in the ocean a year by 2040, up from 9-14 million tonnes a year in 2016 

Climate change: What the Emissions Gap Report 2020 tells us

The annual UNEP report on emission says the “the world is still heading for a temperature rise in excess of 3°C this century”

Polluted rivers pose risk to human health in three continents

Water pollution level has increased in Asia, Africa and Latin America, putting aquatic flora and fauna under extinction threat

Report at migratory species CoP flags rapid decline in India’s raptor population

State of India’s birds evaluated status of 867 species, using data from birdwatchers  

Microplastics, microbeads: What you did not know about self-care products

Bureau of Indian Standards in 2017 proposed a ban on raw materials not recognised safe for use in cosmetics from 2020. The status of the ban is&…

Resolution on nitrogen can lead to a carbon-like framework

The resolution for sustainable nitrogen management in the United Nations Environment Assembly was led by India for the first time

75% emerging infectious diseases zoonotic: UN Report

Document emphasises on importance of a ‘One-Health’ approach to manage and prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks and pandemics

California to cut down emissions of methane, HFCs and black carbon

Reduction in the emissions of short lived climate pollutants can facilitate the post-2015 development agenda

Over 140 nations adopt Minamata Convention to phase out mercury

Agreement has weak controls on mercury emissions from major sources like coal-fired power plants

Updates From Rio