World

Global Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Flattened in 2019, Following Two Years of Increases
Global emission trends Global energy-related CO2 emissions flattened in 2019 at around 33 gigatonnes (Gt), following two years of increases. This resulted mainly from a sharp decline in CO2 emissions from the power sector in advanced economies (Australia, Canada, Chile,…

How Small States Can Benefit From Innovation
Small states are often disadvantaged by their size, remoteness, and lack of resources. But bring smart city innovation into the equation, and these qualities could become strengths. Small states such as Singapore, El Salvador, Micronesia, and the Maldives form a…

Mexico City, a Megalopolis’ War on Plastic Bags
Paper cones, called “cucuruchos”, have been traditionally used by shoppers in Mexico City for carrying spices and grains. Now these plastic-free alternatives are making a comeback, along with straw baskets and reusable cloth bags, after a ban on plastic bags…

Kenyan Women Fight Invasive Species by Planting Indigenous Trees
When Zipporah Matumbi was growing up, she loved the way the forest in her village in East Kenya had a dense canopy. As an adult, she noticed that with extensive logging, the forest was disappearing. So she gathered a group…

World’s Largest Platform for Air Quality Data Launched at Tenth World Urban Forum
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), together with UN-Habitat and IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, today launched the world’s largest air quality data platform, bringing together real-time air pollution data from over 4,000 contributors, including citizens, communities, governments…

EU Launches New Forest Information System to Improve Knowledge on Forests and Woodlands
Amid a need for more accurate, up-to-date and harmonised data and monitoring on Europe’s valuable woodlands, the European Environment Agency and the European Commission launched a new Forest Information System for Europe (FISE) which aims to become Europe’s knowledge hub…

This Is What We Can Really Do About Climate Change, Says New Report
It’s not too late to stop climate change. According to new research, decarbonizing fast enough to stabilize the climate and fast-track the planet to net-zero rests on all of us changing how we think and act – and doing it…



