Tag: UNEP

World’s first impact bond on weather and climate data opens for contributions

Stuart Mitchell

The Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) has opened for contributions to raise USD 200 million towards a climate impact bond aimed at strengthening systematic observation of the planet and help close critical weather and climate data gaps. The Systematic Observation Impact Bond will be announced as part of the COP30 Action Agenda, supported by the Government of Brazil as COP30 Presidency. If backed, the bond would enable 30 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to meet the requirements of the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) —…

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Food Waste Breakthrough launches to help cities halve food waste, cut methane emissions and reduce hunger

Stuart Mitchell

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners today launched a new initiative to halve food waste by 2030 and cut up to seven per cent from methane emissions as part of efforts to slow climate change. Launched at COP30 in Belém, the Food Waste Breakthrough is a 2030 Climate Solution under the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, and unites governments, cities, and civil society to act on an issue that strikes at the heart of global hunger and climate change. The world wastes over one billion tonnes of food every year, contributing up to…

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UNEP launches $100 million programme to accelerate climate and nature action

Stuart Mitchell

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), together with the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), have officially launched the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme. With $100 million in GEF funding and $700 million in co-financing, the Programme will be led by UNEP, with CAF and ADB serving as co-leads. The initiative seeks to align climate and biodiversity goals by driving systemic economic and financial transformation, while mobilizing governments, businesses, and communities to take urgent, integrated action. Despite clear scientific consensus on the…

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UNEP and ICAO launch $82.5 Million project to eliminate harmful firefighting foams in African airports

Stuart Mitchell

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have jointly launched the Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) project, which aims to phase out the use of toxic fluorinated firefighting foams and replace them with safer alternatives at major airports in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.   FIRE – a $82.5 million initiative with a $10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $72.5 million in co-financing from partners – will phase out firefighting foams containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), hazardous “forever…

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Advocates hope new ban will temper market for toxic skin-lightening cosmetics

Stuart Mitchell

When Iya Kande’s youngest son turned two months old, she began using a skin-lightening soap on his face and body.  Kande, whose last name has been changed to protect her identity, lives in northern Nigeria. She was hoping a fairer complexion would ingratiate the boy with his grandmother, who like many in the region had come to equate light skin with beauty.   But within weeks, the child’s skin began to blister and break out in rashes. It wasn’t until months later that Kande learned the cause. The soap was laced…

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