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EnvironmentInnovation & EducationLatest News

Brazil, UN and UNESCO Launch Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change

by rachel
written by rachel

In an effort to address disinformation campaigns that are delaying and derailing climate action, the Brazilian government, the United Nations (UN) and UNESCO are joining forces to strengthen research and measures to prevent further damage to climate mitigation.

The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change is an important intervention to boost support for urgent climate action at a time when scientists are warning the world is running out of time.

“Countries cannot tackle this problem individually”, said President Lula at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro. “This initiative will bring together countries, international organisations and networks of researchers to support joint efforts to tackle disinformation and promote actions in preparation for COP30 in Brazil.”

Initially discussed in the G20 framework, the Initiative is being established as a dedicated multilateral collaboration among States and international organisations to fund research and action promoting information integrity on climate issues. Aiming to expand the scope of research into climate disinformation and its impacts, the effort will gather evidence from around the world to inform and bolster strategic action, advocacy and communications.

Countries committing to the Initiative will contribute to a UNESCO-administered fund, with a goal of raising an initial USD 10 to 15 million over the next 36 months, to be distributed as grants to non-governmental organisations to support their work to research climate disinformation integrity, develop communication strategies and undertake public awareness campaigns. So far, Chile, Denmark, France, Morocco, the United Kingdom and Sweden have already confirmed participation.

“We must fight the coordinated disinformation campaigns impeding global progress on climate change, ranging from outright denial, to greenwashing, to harassment of climate scientists”, said António Guterres, UN Secretary General. “Through this Initiative, we will work with researchers and partners to strengthen action against climate disinformation.”

The risk posed by climate disinformation has been recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which stated in 2022 that “deliberate undermining of science” was contributing to “misconceptions of scientific consensus, uncertainty, disregarded risk and urgency, and dissent.”

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EnvironmentGovernanceLatest News

UAE Minister of Climate Change Calls for Greater Collaboration at COP29

by rachel
written by rachel

In an effort to highlight the UAE’s efforts to foster collaboration and inclusion in climate mitigation, Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, took part in a series of high-profile events at COP29.

Throughout her speaking engagements, that covered climate related themes such as Agriculture, Water and Youth, the Minister highlighted the UAE’s continued efforts to promote collaboration and inclusion, two elements that the UAE believes are essential to accelerating climate action throughout 2025 and into COP30 in Brazil in November.

The Minister gave the opening speech at the ‘Delivering on Climate Action Through Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation’ event – she outlined the global lead that the UAE has taken in promoting the potential of agriculture and food systems in keeping a global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees within reach.

“As we embark on COP29 and look ahead to COP30, it is vital we continue the momentum established at COP28 and collaborate at scale”, said HE Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak. “We must work hard to identify synergies between nations in terms of their food challenges and embrace opportunities to accelerate progress. We are already reaping the rewards of collaboration, but there is scope for so much more.”

In another event hosted by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, the Minister joined COP29 president, H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, and other international representatives to discuss the role of cities and regions in delivering on the goals of the Paris Agreement.

During this event, ‘Baku to Belem and Beyond: COP Presidencies Bringing Cities, Urbanisation and Multilevel Climate Action to the Heart of the Climate Agenda’, the Minister presented updates since the launch of the COP28 Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships for Climate Action (CHAMP) initiative. The CHAMP pledge was endorsed by 74 nations at COP28 in 2023, highlighting the global community’s recognition that multilevel cooperation can be the bridge between pledges and progress.

Later, the Minister opened the AIM for Scale event, ‘Global Partnership to Scale-up Weather Services for Farmers’, during which she launched AIM for Scale’s first Innovation Package: ‘A Blueprint for Collective Action to Scale Access to High-quality, Farmer-centred Weather forecasts in LMICs’.

“AIM for Scale exists for one clear purpose: to find promising, climate-friendly agricultural innovations – and give them the support they need to reach as many farmers as possible worldwide”, she said.

The Minister also took part in the ‘Adverse Impacts of Climate Change on the Decline of Water Basins’ event. In her speech, she stressed the importance of collaboration in bridging the gap between national and global climate security and highlighted the UAE’s sponsoring of the upcoming UN Water Conference in 2026.

“The spirit of collaboration and cooperation will be on full display when we co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference, in partnership with Senegal”, she said. “By working with our Senegalese partners, as well as the international community, we will provide a platform to drive the Water Action Agenda and boost global efforts to ensure accessible, sustainable water and sanitation for all.”

The Minister attended the COP29 IRENA Youth Circle Event, ‘Intergenerational Action for Tripling Renewable Energy by 2030’. The event forms part of IRENA’s efforts to convene a youth circle at COP29, in partnership with the Global Renewables Alliance, creating a space for young people to meaningfully engage with decision makers on key issues for renewable energy transition.

During the event, the Minister discussed ways in which educational institutions and governments can collaborate to ensure young people acquire the skills needed to lead in the renewable energy sector, and innovative methods that can be employed to make energy transition knowledge and training more accessible and relevant to youth in the Global South.

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DevelopingEnvironment

Spyros Kouvelis on Europe’s Success in Green Transition as a Model for Arab Nations | Video

by rachel
written by rachel

In a discussion with Sal Jafar, CEO of ESG Mena, Spyros Kouvelis, Leader of the EU-CCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project, emphasised that Europe’s environmental achievements could serve as a model for Arab nations – promoting methods to accelerate green transformation.

Spyros Kouvelis has over 30 years of experience in sustainable development. He also served in the Greek Parliament as Shadow Minister of Environment (2007-2009) and Deputy Minister of Foreign, Economic, Cultural and Environmental Affairs (2009-2011).

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DevelopingEnvironmentEvents

Amplifying Young Voices: A Look Inside the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP29

by rachel
written by rachel

The COP29 climate summit is set to be a pivotal moment in global climate action. While world leaders gather to negotiate critical climate policies, a dedicated space will be reserved for the voices of the future: the Children and Youth Pavilion.

This innovative initiative, spearheaded by a coalition of youth-led organisations, aims to empower young people to actively participate in climate discussions and shape the decisions that will impact their generation.

ESG Mena interviewed Sagar Kara, the COP29 Children and Youth Pavilion Coordinator, to highlight how the Pavilion aims to integrate the perspectives of young people into climate policymaking and action.

  1. 1. Who are the main organisers behind the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP29, and what organisations or institutions support this Pavilion?

The Children and Youth Pavilion is made up of 24 youth-led organisations passionate about putting the voice of those under the age of 35 front and centre of climate negotiations. The youth make all decisions, and the role of institutional partners is to facilitate and support this process.

  • 2. What is the primary goal of the Children and Youth Pavilion, and how do you plan to engage young people in climate change discussions at COP29?

The aim of the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP29 is to amplify the voices of all people under the age of 35 and drive action on global climate policies vital to securing the future of children and youth. We believe that this dedicated space is essential to each and every COP.

One of the objectives of the Pavilion is to provide a space for all children and young climate champions, professionals, and activists to engage with each other, decision-makers, and influential stakeholders in talks, policy briefings and networking activities related to the negotiations.

Some of the youth are already involved directly in the COP29 negotiations as part of country delegations and negotiation teams, and we will be hosting daily policy briefings at the Pavilion to share ongoing updates, provide insights and gather feedback on the negotiations.

3. Can you elaborate on the specific activities and events that will be taking place at the Pavilion?

Throughout COP29, the Pavilion will hold events, meetings, discussions, workshops, and high-level dialogues, as well as provide space for creativity, networking, art, music, and more. We have a diverse programme of events covering a vast range of topics, from climate finance and technology to renewable energy and water security, as well as spotlighting different regions and communities around the world.

We are inviting high-level speakers to the Pavilion to meet with the children and youth, with confirmed speakers including the Vice-Chair of the IPCC, Diana Urge-Vorsatz, the Un Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, and the COP29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion, Leyla Hasanova.

Young people have globally already been instrumental in bringing the fight against the climate crisis to the forefront of public and political attention, and we believe that our leaders and decision-makers are failing to meaningfully engage with young people and grant us real decision-making power. Through the Children and Youth Pavilion, we will urge decision-makers to commit to the sustained, meaningful inclusion of children and youth in all decision-making processes.

4. How do you believe climate change is uniquely affecting children and young people around the world, and what are the most pressing challenges they face?

The impacts of the climate crisis have and will continue to disproportionately affect the lives and livelihoods of children and youth.

Although children and youth have contributed the least to the climate crisis, we will suffer the most from the failure of governments and decision-makers to take urgent action. The climate crisis poses a catastrophic threat to the lives and livelihoods of children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, and touches every dimension of our lives, from our survival to the development of our education.

5. What role do young people play in finding solutions to the climate crisis, and how can their voices be amplified on the global stage?

The inclusion of young people in climate decision-making is not just a matter of equity, it is essential for ensuring that the policies we create today will lead to a sustainable, just future.

Since the first Children and Youth Pavilion at COP27, our continuing call for ambitious climate action has led to an increasing awareness of the importance of including children and youth in climate discussions. We are now calling on governments and decision-makers to move beyond bringing youth to the table and commit to listening to, valuing, and acting on our contributions. This includes reporting transparently on the impacts and outcomes of youth decision-making.

6. Looking beyond COP29, what are your plans for continuing to engage young people in climate action and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making?

We have an incredible, growing network of children and young climate champions, professionals and activists, who will continue to engage beyond COP29 to amplify the voices of children and youth. We believe it is essential to have a dedicated space for children and youth at COP, and hope to continue hosting the Children and Youth Pavilion at COP30 and beyond.

Written by: Hadeer Elhadaey, Editor at ESG Mena Arabic. 

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EnvironmentLatest News

Earth Vibrated for Nine Days After Climate-Change-Triggered Landslide

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

A climate change-induced landslide in Greenland caused a mega-tsunami which vibrated the Earth for nine days last year, according to a new study involving UCL researchers.

At first, what had happened was a mystery to scientists.

Indeed, the event resulted in a global seismic signal that was detected by seismometers all over the globe, from the Arctic to Antarctica. It contained a single vibration frequency, like a monotonous-sounding hum, which scientists say was completely different to the frequency-rich rumbles from earthquake recordings.

“When I first saw the seismic signal, I was completely baffled,” said Co-author Dr Stephen Hicks of UCL Earth Sciences.

“Even though we know seismometers can record a variety of sources happening on Earth’s surface, never before has such a long-lasting, globally travelling seismic wave, containing only a single frequency of oscillation, been recorded. This inspired me to co-lead a large team of scientists to figure out the puzzle.”

To uncover what had happened, researchers joined forces in a multidisciplinary group involving 68 scientists from 40 institutions in 15 countries, combining seismometer and infrasound data, field measurements, on-the-ground and satellite imagery, and simulations of tsunami waves.

Together, the team found that the event was caused by the collapse of a 1.2km-high mountain peak into the remote Dickson Fjord beneath. This happened as a result of the glacier at the foot of the mountain thinning and becoming unable to hold up the rock face above it.

According to researchers, an estimated 25 million cubic metres of rock and ice crashed into the fjord—enough to fill 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, which caused a backsplash of water 200 metres in the air, with a wave up to 110 metres high.

The landslide and mega-tsunami—one of the largest seen in recent history—were the first to be observed in eastern Greenland.

It is also the first time that water sloshing has been recorded as vibrations “through the Earth’s crust, travelling the world over and lasting several days,” said Dr Hicks.

Dr Hicks noted that the event highlights the intricate interconnections between climate change in the atmosphere, destabilisation of glacier ice in the cryosphere, movements of water bodies in the hydrosphere, and Earth’s solid crust in the lithosphere.

The study concluded that as climate change rapidly accelerates, it will become more important than ever to characterise and monitor regions that were previously considered stable and provide early warning of these massive landslide and tsunami events.

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FinanceLatest News

Africa Faces Increasing and Disproportionate Climate Change Bill

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

African countries are facing a disproportionately high and increasing climate change bill, a new World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report warns.

The report, published this week, outlines that African countries are losing between 2 and 5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), on average, as a result of climate-related hazards, with many diverting up to 9 per cent of their budgets to respond to these climate extremes. 

“Over the past 60 years, Africa has observed a warming trend that has become more rapid than the global average,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo in a statement this week.

Indeed, between 1991 and 2023, the continent warmed at a rate of +0.3 °C/decade, while 2023 was the warmest year on record for many countries, including Morocco, which witnessed the highest temperature anomaly, according to the report.

“In 2023, the continent experienced deadly heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts,” said Saulo.

The WMO State of the Climate in Africa 2023 report writes that looking ahead, by 2030, up to an estimated 118 million “extremely poor people”—those living on less than US$1.90/day—will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat in Africa if adequate response measures are not implemented.

“This will place additional burdens on poverty alleviation efforts and significantly hamper growth,” the report warns.

The report calls for investments in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and early warnings and early actions, which it says is a “priority” for saving lives, promoting economic development, valuing development gains and livelihoods and reducing the cost of disaster responses.

Estimates are that in sub-Saharan Africa, adaptation costs will be US$ 30–50 billion (2–3 per cent of regional gross domestic product (GDP)) each year over the next decade.

“Africa faces disproportionate burdens and risks arising from climate change related weather events and patterns, which cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on agriculture, and food security, education, energy, infrastructure, peace, and security, public health, water resources, and overall socio-economic development,” commented H.E. Ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission.

Last month, at the UNFCCC Africa Group of Negotiators meeting, experts and negotiators from across Africa underscored the lack of financial flows into the continent.

Indeed, it was highlighted that Africa receives “less than 1% of the global climate financing on an annual basis,” as reported by Reuters.

A number of COP29 priorities were outlined at the meeting, which included:

  • The need for an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance (NCQG),
  • Operationalising the global goal on adaptation (GGA) and the Loss and Damage Fund, and
  • Resolving unfinished business under Article 6 on carbon trading mechanisms.
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EnvironmentSpecial Reports

State of the Climate | Report

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

The 34th annual State of the Climate Report, an international annual review of the world’s climate, was published this week, revealing the extent of last year’s extreme climate conditions.

Led by scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and published by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS), the report is based on contributions from nearly 600 scientists in 60 countries.

Key findings from the report include:

  • Last year was the warmest year since records began in the mid-to-late 1800s, surpassing the previous record in 2016.
  • Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide ⁠reached record-high concentrations in 2023.
  • El Nino conditions contributed to record-high sea surface temperatures.
  • Global mean sea level was a record high for the 12th consecutive year.
  • Heatwaves and droughts contributed to “massive” wildfires around the world.
  • The Arctic had its fourth-warmest year in the 124-year record, with summer (July to September) being record-warm.
  • Antarctic sea ice set record lows throughout 2023.
  • While tropical cyclone activity was below average, storms still set records around the globe.

“This report documents and shares a startling, but well established picture,” said NCEI Director Derek Arndt. “We are experiencing a warming world as I speak, and the indicators and impacts are seen throughout the planet. The report is another signpost to current and future generations.”

Read the full report here.

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EnvironmentSpecial Reports

State of Wildfires 2023–2024 | Report

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

The State of Wildfires report, which will be published annually, was released this week and analyses the extreme wildfires of the 2023-2024 fire season (March 2023-February 2024), assessing the causes, predictability, and the attribution of these events to climate change and land use.

In addition to this, the report, co-led by the University of East Anglia (UEA, UK), the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), the Met Office (UK) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF, UK), also looks at how the risk of similar events will change in future under different climate change scenarios.

The report found that fire carbon emissions were 16  per cent above average during this period, totalling 8.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Further, if it had not been a quiet fire season in the African savannahs, then the 2023-24 fire season would have set a new record for CO2 emissions from fires globally, it was shared.

There was record fire activity in Canada’s boreal forests, the report noted, with fire emissions over nine times the average, contributing significantly towards global carbon emissions.

Indeed, in Canada, extreme and widespread fires led to over 150,000 km2 being burned, prompting evacuations of 232,000 people.

Northern parts of South America also saw an “unusually high” number of fires.

The 2023 fire season in western Amazonia saw unprecedented fire counts, the report outlined, with new records set across the State of Amazonas in Brazil, Loreto Department in Peru, and La Paz and Beni departments in Bolivia.

Meanwhile, the Evros fire in Greece set a new EU record for individual fire size (around 900 km2) and killed 19 people.

According to the report, climate change made extreme fire-prone weather at least three times more likely in Canada, 20 times more likely in Amazonia, and twice as likely in Greece.

Moreover, climate models used in the report indicate that extreme wildfires will increase in frequency and intensity by the end of the century, particularly in future scenarios where greenhouse gas emissions remain high.

“As long as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the risk of extreme wildfires will escalate,” said Dr Douglas Kelley, Senior Fire Scientist at UKCEH.

Dr Kelley added that “whatever emissions scenario we follow,” risks of extreme wildfires will increase in Canada, highlighting that society must not only cut emissions but also adapt to changing wildfire risks.

“These projections highlight the urgent need to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage vegetation in order to reduce the risk and impacts of increasingly severe wildfires on society and ecosystems,” added Dr Kelley.

Read the full report here.

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EnvironmentInnovation & EducationLatest NewsUncategorized

Green Youth Majlis Announces New Youth Committee Structure

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

The Green Youth Majlis has announced its Youth Committee Structure for 2024-2025.

An Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) initiative, the Green Youth Majlis comprises over 650 members aged 18 to 35 and serves as a platform for UAE youth to meet quarterly and discuss sustainability practices and ideas.

Since 2019, 232 members have dedicated more than 970 hours across over 60 events, including the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC), beach clean ups in Abu Dhabi, and informative live sessions on topics such as single-use plastics, it was noted.

In the platform’s new formation, Ahmed Al Shaibah, a member since 2015, will take on the role of Main Youth Advisor, with Majid bin Saad elected as Youth Advisor of the Youth Committee.

Dana Al Dhaen will take on the role of President, with Moza Salem Al Harrasi as Vice President, and Merah Alhefeiti leading the Climate Change Main Committee.

Maithah Alhefeiti will head the Biodiversity Committee, and Maryam Al Ansari will serve as the Communications Leader, it was shared.

Other appointments include Saif Al Ameri as the Recycling Committee Leader and Omar Al Hashemi as Excellence Leader.

The newly elected committee members will organise and lead various environmental campaigns, engage with the community, and work on projects addressing pressing environmental issues, it was shared.

“The Green Youth Majlis reinforce our commitment to educate and encourage young people to take environmental action. The new Youth Committee members have displayed passion, enthusiasm and excitement and have continued to steer us in a successful direction,” commented Youth Committee, Rasha Ali Al Madfai, Acting Director of the Environmental Awareness Department, Environmental Information, Science, and Outreach Management at EAD.

“Their support has been pivotal in advancing key environmental strategies, such as implementing the UN Decade on ecosystem restoration and various citizen science initiatives. We are proud of the Green Youth Majlis’s achievements and look forward to future successes and impactful initiatives that they will undoubtedly lead,” said Al Madfai.

“Creating sustainable solutions inspired by the surrounding environment will safeguard our future. By drawing upon our region’s natural resources, ecological insights, and unique environmental contexts, we can develop innovative strategies that address pressing environmental challenges. These solutions will enhance our climate change resilience and ensure that we maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems for generations to come. It is through this deep connection to our environment and a commitment to sustainable practices that we will forge a path towards a more secure and thriving future,” added Dana Al Dhaen, the Majlis’ President.

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