Press Materials
Highlights from the United Nations on Climate Change and the Climate Action Summit.
COP26 postponed
1 April 2020
The COP26 UN climate change conference set to take place in Glasgow in November has been postponed due to COVID-19. Dates for a rescheduled conference in 2021, hosted in Glasgow by the UK in partnership with Italy, will be set out in due course following further discussion with parties.
Amid worsening climate crisis, UN Secretary-General sets out top ten climate action priorities for 2020, vows to stay on frontlines
11 December 2019
With the latest data showing global warming-causing emissions still on the rise, UN Secretary-General António Guterres set out ten priority areas where much more action is needed to keep a 1.5C future within reach. The 2019 Climate Action Summit report, released today, cites need for major emitters to step up, urgency of no new coal, and jobs and a just transition, among other key priorities.
COP25 Must Change the Course of Climate Action and Ambition” - High-Level Segment Kicks Off
10 December 2019
The High-Level Segment of the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 kicked off today, with urgent reminders that the international community is running out of time to effectively tackle the climate crisis and must change course and step up ambition in order to prevent the worst climate impacts.
WMO: 2019 concludes a decade of exceptional global heat and high-impact weather
3 December 2019
The WMO provisional statement on the State of the Global Climate says that the year 2019 concludes a decade of exceptional global heat, retreating ice and record sea levels driven by greenhouse gases from human activities.
COP25 Kicks Off with Calls to Make Serious Progress on Climate Action
2 December 2019
The UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid (to 13 December) kicked off today, with urgent calls to make serious progress on climate action over the next two weeks.
UN Climate Change Conference to be Held in Madrid on 2-13 December 2019
5 November 2019
UNFCCC accepted the proposal from the Government of Chile to hold the 2019 UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, which was made possible by the offer by the Government of Spain.
PreCOP25 to Raise Climate Ambition Through Sharing Best Practices
8 October 2019
Costa Rica opened three days of exchanging best practices for climate action and discussions at PreCOP25 with a focus on raising the ambition required to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and adapting to the worst impacts of climate change.
Governments commit to shared climate action through Least Developed Countries Fund
4 October 2019
To fortify global defenses against climate change, six donor countries have renewed their funding commitment to the world’s poorest countries through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), managed by the Global Environment Facility.
Winners of the 2019 UN Global Climate Action Awards Announced
26 September 2019
The recipients of the 2019 United Nations Global Climate Action Awards were announced today, helping to shine a light on some of the most practical examples of what people across the globe are doing to combat climate change.
Summit delivers major step up in national ambition and private sector action on pathway to key 2020 climate deadline. As recognition mounts that time is running out, youth leaders warn: ‘we will be watching'
23 September 2019
Major announcements by government and private sector leaders at the United Nations Climate Action Summit boosted climate action momentum, and demonstrated growing recognition that the pace of climate action must be rapidly accelerated.
In the face of worsening climate crisis, UN Summit delivers new pathways and practical actions to shift global response into higher gear
23 September 2019
Leaders from government, business, and civil society today announced potentially far-reaching steps to confront climate change at the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit in New York.
Climate Action Summit yields plans to increase financing for green, livable cities, and to promote sustainable infrastructure, transport
23 September 2019
Banks, businesses, civil society and governments at all levels are to announce initiatives to finance and build a new generation of sustainable cities at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York today.
Climate Action Summit to provide solutions for increasing energy efficiency and for sustainable cooling in a warming world
23 September 2019
A new initiative to increase energy efficiency and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as another to support sustainable climate friendly cooling access for all as global temperatures hit record highs, are to be announced at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York today.
Efforts to make communities safer from climate change to be launched at Climate Action Summit include insurance, early warning, and investment in small-scale farmers
23 September 2019
Recognizing that the people who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change are almost always the people who have contributed the least to its causes, multilateral and unilateral institutions and the private sector are to make a series of announcements to help people avoid the dangers of climate impacts.
Political and financial support for new efforts to scale up use of nature-based solutions to be announced at Climate Action Summit
23 September 2019
New initiatives aimed at increasing the use of nature-based solutions are to be announced today at the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit in New York.
New leadership group to be announced at Climate Action Summit to drive industry transition to low-carbon economy
23 September 2019
A new initiative is to be launched today at the UN Climate Action Summit to help guide the world’s heaviest greenhouse gas emitting industries toward the low-carbon economy.
Jobs and health are key elements of new initiatives to be launched at Climate Action Summit to ensure people’s well-being during the transition to a green economy
23 September 2019
New initiatives aimed at ensuring that the transition to a green economy benefits all people are to be launched today at the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit in New York, with an emphasis on actions that help people secure employment, improve health, and promote gender equality.
Landmark United in Science report informs Climate Action Summit
22 September 2019
The world’s leading climate science organizations have joined forces to produce a landmark new report for the United Nations Climate Action Summit, underlining the glaring – and growing – gap between agreed targets to tackle global warming and the actual reality.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
Youth leaders vow continued pressure on governments and business for urgent action to address climate emergency at UN Youth Climate Summit
21 September 2019
The Youth Climate Summit — the first time the UN has convened a summit for young people completely devoted to climate action — aimed to give voice to the demands of young people to take far swifter action to reduce the emissions that, without action, are on track to reverse the development gains of the recent decades that have improved the lives of millions of people.
UN Secretary-General announces new Climate Action Summit jobs initiative; urges countries to join
18 September 2019
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today announced a new initiative aimed at ensuring that decent job creation and protecting livelihoods are at the center of countries’ efforts to boost climate action, and urged countries to join the initiative.
Re-energised Global Climate Action Portal Features Country Pages
17 September 2019
Today, the Global Climate Action portal – previously known as NAZCA (the Non-State Actor Zone for Climate Action) – relaunches with a new interactive map and country profile pages. As the portal’s landing page, this map makes it easy for users to navigate cross-sector climate commitments from around the world.
COP14 reaches major breakthroughs
13 September 2019
After 10 days of meetings, COP14 ended today with the adoption of a landmark decision to buttress global efforts to better mitigate and manage the risks of drought and to build resilience.
Asia can Lead Global Transformation towards Low Carbon and Resilience
6 September 2019
Asia-Pacific Climate Week in Bangkok, Thailand wrapped up on Friday, with participants agreeing a set of key takeaways on what steps urgently need to be taken for the region to be able to profit from the advantages of the transition to low carbon and to be able to build resilience to the worst impacts of climate change.
Economic Benefits of Regional Climate Action are Highlighted at Asia-Pacific Climate Week
4 September 2019
At the opening of the high-level segment of Asia-Pacific Climate Week, speakers warned of the dire consequences of low levels of ambition to tackle climate change for the region and pointed to the compelling economic arguments for more climate action.
Responding to demand, UN opens additional places at Climate Action Summit for civil society; issues call for applications
27 August 2019
The United Nations has opened additional places for civil society groups to participate in the 2019 Climate Action Summit, in recognition of the crucial role of civil society in driving forward urgent climate action.
Successful applicants will join global leaders in the General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York on September 23, as well as working meetings across the Summit’s key action areas, to be held on September 21 and 22.
Latin American and Caribbean Climate Week Calls for Urgent, Ambitious Action
23 August 2019
The Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week closed today with calls for more ambition and stronger collaboration among all levels of government, the private sector and civil society to implement the national climate plans and to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
UNFCCC invites journalists to a webinar on Asia-Pacific Climate Week
21 August 2019
On 27 August, a week ahead of the Asia-Pacific Climate Week to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, senior UN staff will explain in a 45-minute webinar for journalists how the meeting will be organized, and what to expect in the way of outcomes.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
100 young climate champions awarded ‘Green Tickets’ to attend first ever UN Youth Climate Summit
20 August 2019
The United Nations announced that 100 outstanding young climate champions chosen from around the world will receive support to participate in the UN Youth Climate Summit on Saturday, September 21 at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Latin America & Caribbean Leaders to Gather in Salvador to Boost Climate Action
14 August 2019
Over 3,000 participants are expected at the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week that will take place in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, from 19 to 23 August 2019, including government ministers and senior representatives of multilateral agencies and non-governmental organizations.
New UN Report Shines Light on Trends in Climate Action
9 August 2019
Less than two months ahead of a key September 23 UN Climate Summit in New York, a report published by UN Climate Change provides insights into action taken by governments to address climate change, presenting a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be deployed by governments to ramp up crucial climate ambition.
Land is a Critical Resource, IPCC report says
8 August 2019
Land is already under growing human pressure and climate change is adding to these pressures. At the same time, keeping global warming to well below 2ºC can be achieved only by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors including land and food, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said in its latest report on Thursday.
July equalled, and maybe surpassed, the hottest month in recorded history
31 July 2019
According to the new data from the World Meteorological Organization and Copernicus Climate Change Programme, July at least equalled, if not surpassed, the hottest month in recorded history. This follows the warmest ever June on record.
28 companies with combined market cap of $1.3 trillion step up to new level of climate ambition
23 July 2019
Ahead of the UN Climate Action Summit, 28 companies have stepped up to set a new level of climate ambition and committed to set 1.5°C climate targets aligned with a net-zero future, challenging Governments to match their goal.
United Nations announces 2019 Climate Action Summit ‘Clean Air Initiative’, calls for governments at all levels to join
23 July 2019
Ahead of the upcoming 2019 Climate Action Summit, the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition announced today the “Clean Air Initiative” and calling on governments at all levels to commit to achieving air quality that is safe for citizens, and to align climate change and air pollution policies by 2030.
UN Secretary-General visit to St. Lucia highlights climate change impacts
5 July 2019
The Secretary-General saw the devasting impacts caused by a seaweed that is hurting communities across the Caribbean. Sargassum creates a strong stench, kills marine vegetation and creatures, and disrupts coastal activities such as fishing and tourism.
Brazil city of Salvador to host Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week
4 July 2019
Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week 2019 will take place from from 19 to 23 August. Hosted by the Federal Government of Brazil, the event will serve as a major input for the Climate Action Summit in New York this September.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
UN Opens Applications for Youth Climate Summit in New York, Announces “Green Tickets” to Recognize Young People Driving Climate Action
1 July 2019
Starting today, young people from around the world are formally invited to apply to participate in the United Nations Youth Climate Summit to take place at UN Headquarters in New York on 21 September. The UN will offer over 100 “Green Tickets” – funded opportunities for young people, in particular from the least developed countries, to participate in this historic event.
YOUTH mention
UN Secretary-General to Open Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting to Spur Action
28 June 2019
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will greet ministers and leaders from business and civil society, including youth delegates, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on 30 June as they gather to assess progress across all action areas of the Climate Action Summit, to be held at United Nations Headquarters on 23 September.
Bonn Climate Conference Ends with UN Call to Fully Deliver on Paris Agreement Mandates
28 June 2019
The 2019 UN Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB50) wrapped up on 27 June after having considered a large number of decisions for adoption at the UN Climate Change Conference in Santiago, Chile at the end of the year (COP25, 2-13 December).
FOCUS ON YOUTH
It's time we took a seat 'at your table': Guterres calls on world youth to keep leading climate emergency response
23 June 2019
Older generations have "failed to respond properly" to the climate emergency said the UN chief on Sunday, while the young are "stepping up to the challenge" and taking the lead to slow the destructive pace of global warming.
Business leaders urged to set more ambitious climate targets in effort to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C
13 June 2019
A broad coalition of business, civil society and UN leaders today issued a call to action for private companies to make their critical and necessary contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the worst impacts of climate change.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
UN Secretary-General António Guterres meets with Greta Thunberg, youth climate activist, at R20 Austria World Summit
4 June 2019
At the R20 Austrian World Summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the urgent need for young climate activists like Greta Thunberg to push political leaders to take urgent climate action to save our planet.
Briefing on Private Sector Participation in the UN Climate Summit
17 May 2019
On 17 May, the UN Global Compact Academy hosted a special briefing on how business leaders can get involved in the lead up to the UN Climate Summit 2019 — and beyond — in order to support ambitious political outcomes towards a just, resilient and zero-carbon future.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
UN Chief with Youth in New Zealand
'Engaging Youth in the Pacific on Climate Action'
13 May 2019
Continuing a trip to the Pacific, UN Secretary-General issued a strong call on climate action. In New Zealand, he engaged with students and urged a series of steps to achieve a more sustainable future, including ending subsidies on fossil fuels; and ceasing construction on new coal plants by next year.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
Māoris & Pasifika Youth — Climate Action:
4 shifts the UN chief encourages Governments to make
12 May 2019
Speaking to young Māoris and people of the Pacific islands in New Zealand, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said "nature does not negotiate" and emphasized four key measures that Governments should prioritize in order to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
UN Secretary-General Speaks with youth at Fiji's University of the South Pacific
17 May 2019
UN Secretary-General visits The University of the South Pacific, speaking with youth about combating climate change.
Details for Latin America & Caribbean and Asia-Pacific Climate Weeks Announced
23 April 2019
Dates and locations for two major events on the 2019 international climate change calendar have been confirmed today: Latin America & Caribbean Climate Week will take place from 19 to 23 August in Salvador, Brazil; while Asia-Pacific Climate Week will be held from 2 to 6 September in Bangkok, Thailand.
Information Note on the 2019 Climate Action Summit of the Secretary-General
20 March 2019
On 23 September 2019, the Secretary-General of the United Nations will host the Climate Action Summit in New York with the objective of boosting ambition and rapidly accelerate action to implement the Paris Agreement. The Secretary-General aims to demonstrate a leap in collective national political ambition and massive low-emission movements in the real economy.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
UN Secretary-General António Guterres encourages world leaders to listen to young people on climate change
15 March 2019
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in an op-ed in The Guardian, said leaders need to listen to the concerns of youth on climate change and presented plans for the Climate Action Summit in September to for concrete and ambitious solutions.