29 July 2019: The NAP Global Network has published a brief examining country perspectives on alignment of national-level policy processes under the Paris Agreement on climate change as a basis for broader alignment towards climate-resilient development.
UNEP GEO-6 Special Report Outlines Emerging Risks from Industrial Development
July 2019: The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Sixth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6) for Industry in Asia-Pacific finds that the region’s industrial development places sustainable development at risk. The report provides an overview for policymakers of emerging environmental impacts resulting from the region’s industrialization.
NEWS
Pacific Regional Consultation Highlights Role of Oceans in Sustainable Development
30 July 2019: The UN held the first regional consultation on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) in the South Pacific region. The consultation aimed to help prepare for the upcoming Decade and consult with and engage different stakeholders in the region.
UNGA Dialogue to Announce Deliverables for Financing SDGs, Climate Action
25 July 2019: The UN General Assembly’s upcoming meeting to take stock of financing for development (FfD) will feature three interactive dialogues as well as a session for the announcement of new initiatives and commitments, according to an Information Note from the UNGA President.
2019 Earth Overshoot Day Reaches Earliest Date Ever
29 July 2019: In 2019, Earth Overshoot Day, the day that humanity uses up its allowance of natural resources such as water, soil and clean air for the entire year, fell on 29 July, according to the Global Footprint Network. This means that humanity is currently using nature 1.75 times faster than the Earth’s ecosystems can regenerate.
NGOs Call for a “Renewable Future for Rivers, Climate and People”
22 July 2019: WWF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have launched a research report that argues that solar and wind power and energy storage technologies can meet the world’s energy needs while preserving the health and connectivity of river systems. The report highlights the scope for renewables to serve developing countries while avoiding construction of hydropower dams on some of the world’s major rivers, such as the Amazon, Mekong, and Irrawaddy rivers.
Megatrends, Future Projects Discussed at Close of 2019 ECOSOC Cycle
19 July 2019: The UN Economic and Social Council discussed projections for the future of the SDGs, drawing on research on long-term trends and scenarios. The session marked the conclusion of the Council’s 2019 ministerial segment, which had also included the final part of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
FAO Indicator Report: World is Off Track on Most SDG Targets Relevant for Food and Agriculture
18 July 2019: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has released a report assessing progress on 18 indicators relevant to agriculture and food security across four SDGs. The report shows that the world is off track on most of the targets assessed.
SDG 13 HLPF Review Highlights Linkages with SDGs 5, 7, 8 and 16
12 July 2019: Delegates at the July 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) discussed progress and challenges related to SDG 13 (climate action), as one of a sub-set of SDGs that received special focus during the session. Presenters and delegates discussed national initiatives to spur climate action, the linkages between SDG 13 and other SDGs, and the importance of climate finance, including for adaptation, among other issues.
Angry Birds Join UN’s ActNow Climate Campaign 10 July 2019: The UN and Angry Birds are collaborating to support citizen action on climate change. The Angry Birds are encouraging individuals to discover and record everyday actions that can make a difference on climate change by using the UN’s online climate action tool, the ‘ActNow Bot.’