Tag: UN

To Protect Human Rights, Ban Fossil Fuel Ads, Lobbying, and Disinfo to Defossilize Economy, UN Report Warns

Stuart Mitchell

As the result of a six-decade history of deliberate obstruction of climate action by the fossil fuel industry, our economies continue to be based on fossil fuels even if it has been harming humanity and the planet for generations. Exploring for new oil, expanding fossil fuel production, fracking, and subsidizing fossil fuels must stop, according to a new report from the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change, Elisa Morgera.  Additionally, we must be fully informed of how fossil fuels are harming our human rights, and how the…

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Electronic Waste Rising Five Times Faster than Documented E-waste Recycling: UN

Stuart Mitchell

The world’s generation of electronic waste is rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling, the UN’s fourth Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) reveals today. A record 62 million tonnes (Mt) of e-waste was produced in 2022, Up 82% from 2010; On track to rise another 32%, to 82 million tonnes, in 2030; Billions of dollars worth of strategically-valuable resources squandered, dumped; Just 1% of rare earth element demand is met by e-waste recycling The 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated in 2022 would fill 1.55 million 40-tonne trucks, roughly enough…

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New UN framework to protect environment from harmful chemicals

Stuart Mitchell

A new global framework to reduce environmental risks from chemicals and waste was adopted at a UN conference in September, with countries committing to phase out the most harmful ones. Agreed at the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), in Bonn, Germany, the Global Framework on Chemicals sets concrete targets and guidelines across the lifecycle of chemicals. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), welcomed the new framework. “Everyone on this planet should be able to live and work without fear of falling sick or dying…

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Current climate adaptation funding falls light-years short, says WaterAid as UN publishes its Adaptation Gap Report

Stuart Mitchell

UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2023, published recently, says that underfinanced, underprepared and inadequate investment and planning on climate adaptation leaves world exposed, with progress on climate adaptation slowing when it should be accelerating to catch up with these rising climate change impacts.  In response, Claire Seaward, Global Campaigns Director at WaterAid, said: “Current global funding for climate adaptation measures falls light-years short of where it needs to be. The most vulnerable countries are being forced to pay the bill for a crisis they have done the least to cause. “Adapting to…

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UN launches campaign, calling for renewed global ambition and action for the Sustainable Development Goals

Stuart Mitchell

The United Nations, is kicking off a communications campaign to rally for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the roadmap for people and planet adopted by world leaders in 2015. Ahead of a critical UN Summit in September, the campaign aims to amplify an urgent call for ambitious new action, showcase the Goals as the blueprint for sustainable progress globally, and galvanize the global public around this shared agenda for our common future. At halftime toward the deadline of 2030, the promise of the SDGs is in peril. For the first…

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