UN CLIMATE
Maldives climate minister released in 'black magic' case
Former Maldives climate change minister accused of performing 'black magic' on the president has been released after being detained. The investigation is still ongoing, with the nature of the allegations undisclosed. Traditional ceremonies are widely practiced in the archipelago, despite not being a criminal offense.
Pakistan's population projected to reach 400 million by 2092: UN Report
A UN report on Pakistan's population growth projects a rise to 404.68 million by 2092, surpassing Indonesia by 2048. With a current growth rate of 2.40 per cent, Pakistan faces challenges including lack of birth control usage, pressure on resources, unemployment, and strains on healthcare and education systems. Globally, the world population is expected to reach 10.3 billion by the mid-2080s before declining to around 10.2 billion.
Rich nations failed to meet USD 100 bn climate finance promise in 2022: Oxfam
Oxfam reports rich nations claimed USD 116 billion in 2022 climate finance, but only USD 35 billion was actual aid. The 2009 pledge was USD 100 billion. OECD's figures include market loans; only USD 15 billion was for adaptation. UNEP estimates USD 215-387 billion needed. Baku conference to set new goals. Citing Article 9, aid should be grants.
Hurricane Beryl kills five as it barrels towards Jamaica
Beryl is the first storm since US National Hurricane Center records began to reach the Category 4 level in June, and the earliest to reach Category 5 in July. A hurricane warning was in place for the island nation, according to the NHC, which said rain and flash flooding was to be expected in addition to the life-threatening wind and high water levels.
COP29 will be litmus test for Paris agreement: Yalchin Rafiyev
Azerbaijan, the host of the annual UN climate conference COP29, has the duty to lead nations in agreeing on measures to combat climate change at the necessary speed and scale to keep global warming within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Baku will be a moment of truth for the entire climate community, said Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister and lead negotiator for COP29
Must accelerate action for sustainable development goals: UN Secy General
The Sustainable Development Goals face challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and climate change. Urgent global cooperation is needed to address rising poverty, conflict casualties, and displacement. Despite progress in renewable energy, more action is crucial for a just energy transition to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
Only 17% of targets to improve life around the world are likely to be reached by 2030, UN reports
Despite incremental progress in some areas, global sustainable development remains hindered by slow advancement and persistent challenges. Efforts in expanding technology access and renewable energy capacity show promise, but significant work is needed to address issues like gender equality and education to achieve the 2030 goals.
Rich nations should provide climate finance to developing countries: Bhupender Yadav
"Temperature rise is a global problem. IPCC reports clearly say the increase in carbon emissions is driving average global temperatures up. Countries have prepared their Nationally Determined Contributions. India has achieved its climate targets, be it in the renewable energy sector or reducing carbon emissions," Yadav said at the India Climate Summit.
Explainer: How climate change fuels extreme heat worldwide
Climate change is driving dangerous heat waves across the Northern Hemisphere, with global emissions continuing to rise since 1995.
Bonn climate talks: Countries leave much to do at COP29
Countries made little progress in finding common ground on the crucial issue of climate finance at the mid-year UN climate talks in Bonn, Germany, even as floods, extreme rains, and brutal heatwaves upended lives and livelihoods in several nations.
Azerbaijan proposes COP truce to unite countries on climate change
Azerbaijan, the host of this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29), is aiming to shield the annual talks from geopolitical tensions by proposing a two-week COP truce. This initiative, inspired by the Olympic truce, is intended to unite countries in a collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of climate change. Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, highlighted the current global geopolitical polarization as reminiscent of the Cold War era, making consensus-building on climate action challenging.
UN chief urges fossil fuel ad ban as heat records pile up
Humans are as dangerous to Earth as the meteorite that drove dinosaurs to extinction, the UN chief said Wednesday, urging an end to fossil fuel ads after 12 months that were the hottest on record. Last month was the hottest May on record and the 12th consecutive month to break such a record, the EU climate monitor Copernicus announced.
Planet overheating, ban fossil fuel ads: UN chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated humans are as destructive as the meteor that caused the dinosaur extinction, urging a ban on oil, gas, and coal advertising. His comments coincided with scientists reporting the last 12 months as the hottest on record. The global average temperature is 1.63°C above pre-industrial levels. Despite the agreement to phase out fossil fuels at COP28, emissions remain high. Guterres called for taxing fossil fuel profits and reallocating funds to combat climate change, as critical climate talks continue in Bonn ahead of the COP29 summit in November.
UN weather agency predicts that 1.5-degree Celsius target limit for global temperatures likely to be surpassed by 2028
The UN's weather agency predicts an 80% chance of global temperatures surpassing the 1.5°C target in the next five years, as outlined in the Paris climate accord. The World Meteorological Organization expects temperatures from 2024 to 2028 to be 1.1 to 1.9°C hotter than the start of the industrial era. UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted this threat in a speech for World Environment Day. The EU's climate service reported May as the hottest ever, with 12 consecutive months of record temperatures, attributing the trend to fossil fuel burning.
Developed countries fulfilled USD 100 billion climate finance promise in 2022: OECD report
Developed countries met their long-standing promise of mobilizing USD 100 billion a year to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change in 2022, according to the latest data published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Wednesday.
Rich nations met $100 bn climate finance goal two years late: OECD
Wealthy countries finally met the $100 billion annual climate aid target for poorer nations in 2022, two years late, as per the OECD. The delay has damaged trust in climate negotiations as nations aim for a more ambitious goal by November. However, the $100 billion falls short of the estimated $2.4 trillion needed annually by developing nations for renewable energy and climate adaptation.
What is 'Net Zero', anyway? A short history of a monumental concept
The G7 leaders recently committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, with the Albanese government in Australia introducing legislation to create a Net Zero Economy Authority to drive investment in clean energy. The concept of net zero, aiming to balance carbon emissions with carbon sinks, emerged from early climate negotiations in the 1990s. It gained traction in the late 2000s as a metric for assessing mitigation efforts and became a key goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, challenges remain in ensuring fairness and equity between developed and developing nations, and in avoiding greenwashing by corporations.
Nepal PM Prachanda calls for 'unified mountain voice' to address effects of climate change
Prime Minister Prachanda emphasizes the urgent need for a unified mountain voice to address climate change effects in the Himalayas. Nepal aims for zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, prioritizing vulnerable groups like women, youth, and indigenous tribes.
Flash floods due to unusually heavy seasonal rains kill at least 68 people in Afghanistan
Flash floods in Afghanistan kill 68, with 50 dead in Ghor and 18 in Farayab. Abdul Wahid Hamas reports significant financial losses in Ghor, including damage to Feroz Koh. Esmatullah Moradi confirms damages in Farayab. UN reports 2500 affected families in Ghor. WFP aids flood victims in Baghlan, inaccessible by trucks. Taliban urges support for affected communities.
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