Drought data shows “unprecedented emergency" for 1.84 billion people
Almost a quarter of the world faces human-induced drought, and 85% of those live in low- or middle-income countries.
John Heilprin
Award-winning U.N.-accredited journalist, with 30+ years on four continents, almost half of it for AP in Washington, New York and Geneva.
Twitter
Geneva
U.N. climate transparency hampered by funding gap and internal controls
An internal audit found a US$31 million funding gap and deficiencies in U.N. Climate Change's Transparency Division.
World on track to breach Paris treaty and head to almost 3° C. of warming
Emissions must decrease 42% by 2030 to keep the 1.5° target alive. Instead, they're expected to rise 3% by then.
Treaty to curb plastic pollution stalled as industry pushes back
Oil and plastic producing nations and lobbyists sought more emphasis on recycling instead of production cuts.
Threats of diminished U.S. role in U.N. returns with political season
Nikki Haley has adopted Trump's hard line against U.N. participation but stopped short of calling for total withdrawal.
Plastic pollution treaty targets production or waste management
This is the third round of talks to develop an international legally binding deal that includes plastic waste in the ocean.
Top human rights official blasts 'indiscriminate' bombing in Gaza
More than 12,250 people have been killed – including 101 U.N. staff helping Palestinian refugees and at least 4,300 children – and 32,300 others injured in the Gaza war, officials said.
As climate adaptation costs rise, so do the potential life-saving benefits
Two U.N. reports show how that more climate aid for developing nations could reduce the millions of deaths a year from climate shocks.
World 'dangerously' unprepared for another pandemic, panel concludes
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board urged more trust-building to boost monitoring, accountability and financing.
Swiss vote marks return to a more conservative, less green mindset
Swiss right-wing populist and Socialist parties gained strength at the expense of Greens, reflecting increasingly conservative voter sentiment on issues like climate, health and migration.
Israel rejects cease-fire in Gaza as diplomats warn of war spreading
While Israel pounded Gaza with increasingly intensifying airstrikes in response to Hamas' surprise attacks, the U.N. chief emphasized the rules of war must be obeyed.
IEA forecasts renewables nearing 50% of global electricity mix by 2030
The International Energy Agency expects a far greater role for solar, wind and other clean technologies, with 10 times as many electric cars on the road this decade.
China's Belt and Road Initiative recast as 'open, green and clean'
The summit marking BRI's 10-year anniversary notably drew Russia's President Vladimir Putin as a guest of honor among leaders and officials from 130 nations.
U.N. resolution seeking 'pauses' for aid in Gaza divides major powers
The U.S. blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution on the Israel-Hamas war, while Russia pushed resolutions that do not mention Hamas or Israel's right to self-defense.
War overshadows calls for more IMF and World Bank funding for Africa
The heads of some of the biggest multilateral development banks said the world faces a global “polycrisis” affecting development at an unprecedented scale.
Nations reject Russia's attempt to rejoin U.N. Human Rights Council
The vote undermined Moscow's claim it still has support from a silent majority of the United Nations' 193 member nations.