United Nations

The needs of future generations must be embedded at the highest levels of global governance, campaigners say.

This week saw international delegates debate an extremely restrictive Global Plastics Treaty text that failed to set out legally binding targets and timeframes on plastic production and reduction.

Few corporations understand the real mechanics, and implications, of the UN backed SBTi’s framework.

The first ever ‘summit of the future’ will be staged by the United Nations next year. It might be our last chance.

Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 report shows world leaders fail to meet goals agreed a decade ago.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns climate breakdown is having a significant impact on the oceans.

UN sea wall in Tanzania protects a prestigious college while local fishermen fight erosion with garbage.

Almost a quarter of the greenhouse gases put out by humans comes from land use.

The state of the world’s nature shows human-driven sixth mass extinction is ongoing.

The global use of natural resources has increased across the board, pushing the boundaries of sustainability.

Switzerland wants the world to talk about if and how to use untested technology that tampers with nature to slow climate change.

Rules to avoid double-counting of emissions cuts are a step forward, say campaigners, but more assurances are needed to meet the sector’s climate promises.

Social justice movements are finding human rights-based solutions to hunger and the climate crisis and holding global legislators to account.

Children are at the forefront of suffering from air pollution, explains a World Health Organisation (WHO) report.

Earth System Governance alliance explores novel mechanisms to address planetary threats.

International Energy Agency chief says chance of meeting targets of the Paris Agreement are getting ‘weaker and weaker’

Diplomats from around the world have gathered in Thailand's capital this week for an additional round of UN climate negotiations. The Bangkok Summit will establish the Rules for the Paris Agreement. ARTHUR WYNS reports from the negotiations

The United States under Donald Trump is today the only country to tear up its commitment to fight climate change under the Paris Accords. But how did the Republican Party respond when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change first warn about the impacts of rising carbon dioxide? BRENDAN MONTAGUE investigates

Margaret Thatcher was at the height of her premiership when she took to the podium at the United Nations general assembly on the global environment held at the UN building in New York on 8 November 1989, writes BRENDAN MONTAGUE

The United Nations’ International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict takes place on November 6. The international community must face up to the reality that protecting the environment from conflict is vital to protect people, argues DOUG WEIR.

We can all agree on what the problem is, it’s settling on a solution that’s the difficult part. Mark Anslow explores the complicated world of deforestation

Environmental groups were pleased at the end of 2007 when the UN announced that its under-resourced adaptation funds - established to help less-industrialised nations adapt to the effects of climate change - were to receive a cash injection.