Features

UMAS Principal Consultant, Jean-Marc Bonello explains what impact a science-based framework will have on the sector’s Race to Zero.

A nature-positive future holds unlimited opportunities for businesses to both mitigate risk and explore new products, markets or business models, argue Sharon Thorne Global Chair, Deloitte & Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

Race to Zero Engagement Lead, Tessa Vincent, explains which decisions need to be made today to unlock a regenerative and healthier world for people and the planet.

Creating a well-protected and sustainably managed ocean is a tough challenge, but by working together across borders it can be met – and 2023 presents a suite of critical opportunities for meaningful global action.

Moving towards a low-emission economy will require the creation of millions of ‘green jobs’ and the development of new skills 

Climate-smart and regenerative food systems can lead the race to achieve net-zero, nature positive results by 2030.

The Pacific Institute is on a mission to create and advance solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges with a long-term strategic goal to catalyse the transformation to water resilience in the face of climate change by 2030. Here, its lead architects, explain why a robust — and implemented — agreement on nature at COP15, will catalyse their work.

Race to Resilience partner, the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP) explain why biodiversity, and specfically COP15, is integral to their work.

Race to Resilience partner, the Just Rural Transition explains why the protection of biodiversity, and therefore COP15, is critical to its work.

The Race to Zero explains why action by non-State actors alone is not sufficient to keep global warming to 1.5C, and why we need an acceleration of the right kind of policies, standards and regulations. 

As COP15 continues, Race to Zero partner, the Climate Group underlines the necessity of an integrated approach to the climate crisis with actions that recognise mitigation, adaptation and nature.

Race to Resilience partner, Resilience First, the world’s largest business network focused on business and organisational resilience, explains why a successful outcome at COP15 is critical for the acceleration of a safer, healthier world.

With $468 trillion in assets across the globe, fully addressing the climate, biodiversity and land degradation crises – in a way that is aligned with commercial objectives – is fully within the reach of financial markets, writes Frannie Leautier, Partner, CEO of SouthBridge Investment.

The United Nations Biodiversity Conference, referred to as COP15, starts next week in Montreal, with governments from around the world coming together to agree, amongst other things, on a new set of goals and targets that will guide global action on nature through 2030.

There is an urgent need to incorporate climate into site management of Marine Protected Areas to help restore, preserve, and protect the integrity and resilience of our ocean for future generations, argues Kristina Rodriguez, Yale School of the Environment.

Johannah Christensen CEO, Global Maritime Forum & Katharine Palmer, Shipping Lead, Climate Champions explain why the maritime industry is ready to lead the way in our transition to a clean, just, and resilient zero-carbon world.

Tzeporah Berman, Chair for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty & Carroll Muffet, President and CEO for the Center for International Environmental Law, explain why significant momentum is building behind the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

We need to turn away from dramatic headlines about the number of people on the planet and instead focus on the actual issue driving the continued rise of humans on Earth—a lack of rights, for women and girls in particular, says Kristen P. Patterson, Director, Drawdown Lift, Project Drawdown.

Climate Champions’ Global Ambassador, Dr. Agnes Kalibata is President of AGRA, an African led and Africa based institution that puts smallholder farmers at the centre of the continent’s growing economy. In this interview, Dr Kalibata discusses why urgently transforming our food systems is not only critical for our environment and the climate, but for the economy – creating opportunities for urgent growth in a time of compounded crises.

Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), is a youth-led gender-balanced advocacy group that focuses largely on environmental sustainability and community development. Its founders explain the impact of its actions.

CEO of Resilience Rising, Seth Schultz explains why and how the maritime sector is putting resilience on an equal footing with mitigation.

Introducing the African Cities Water Adaptation Fund (ACWA Fund), a new Africa-focused blended finance instrument that will support city leaders to fund and scale high-impact water resilience solutions across Africa.

How new innovative financing mechanism N3F can drive a transformation of Africa’s food systems to both address climate change and provide a healthy and sustainable diet for all.

Africa can lead the world in limiting emissions, drive climate restoration and orient Africa towards its strengths which translate into major new segments of economic opportunity, writes Jack Kimani, Founding CEO of the Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A).

The demands of the most impacted — particularly African, Indigenous, youth, and women voices — must be centered throughout these next two weeks at COP27 and beyond, writes Carissa Patrone Maikuri, Program Coordinator, Drawdown Lift, Project Drawdown

A new Blue-Tinted White Paper, Investment Protocol: Unlocking Financial Flows for Coastal Cities Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Building aims to highlight the specific needs of coastal cities and inform investment decisions. 

The Adaptation and Resilience Breakthroughs, announced today, present an adaptation solutions agenda with clear and coordinated actionable targets towards making 4 billion vulnerable people more resilient by 2030.

The amount of renewable energy we produce has increased by 10% in 2022, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions from the global power sector.

As the third Regional Finance Forum concludes in Santiago, Chile, Robert Muggah and Mac Margolis from Brazil-based think tank, Igarapé InstituteCities examine how citie across the global south are overheating and facing stark impacts from climate change, especially in the second most urbanized region in the world, Latin America.

This World Water Week, Diageo discusses how investing in water not only invests in the future of women, but also increases business resilience.

As senior government officials and non-state actors attend 2022 Africa Climate Week in Libreville, Gabon (29 August – 2 September) a reflection on Africa’s untapped potential to provide solutions to the global climate crisis, by Ibrahim Thiaw, Acting Executive Secretary of UN Climate change.

Africa’s long-standing development challenges, compounded by shocks to global supply chains, underscore the urgent need to drive progress and innovation in pivoting Africa’s food system.

With the second Regional Finance Forum taking place in Bangkok today, multinational insurance company and Race to Zero member Axa examines why adaptation finance is so important for Thailand.

The Thai capital is embracing nature, with a host of new projects aiming to increase green spaces and help the city reduce its emissions.

Can Jakarta, which faces myriad threats from flooding and sea level rises to pollution, earthquakes and overpopulation, adapt to climate change?

There’s a reason why e-bike popularity is on the up. Fitted with a motor and a highly intuitive control system, this revelation in bike technology is set to revolutionise the way city dwellers navigate their way around town.

The World Economic Forum’s first Net Zero Industry Tracker, developed in collaboration with Accenture, reveals the scale of the challenge and sheds light on how industries can get on track for net zero.

Ahead of COP27 in November 2022, the incoming Egyptian Presidency of COP27, the United Nations Regional Commissions, and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions for COP26 and COP27 are jointly organising a series of regional forums to accelerate financial flows to the projects needed to reduce emissions, build climate resilience, and advance the 2030 Sustainable […]

Preserving nature is a key element in the world’s effort both to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and it also happens to be good for business. But new findings show that much of the private sector continues to lag far behind in tackling deforestation and protecting biodiversity.

As resilience continues to improve, it should be possible to move from crisis management to risk management of droughts in the Horn of Africa, explains David Nash, Professor of Physical Geography, University of Brighton.

Cutting nature out of the equation is equivalent to entering the ring with one arm tied behind your back, says Maria Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business Coalition.

To mark this year’s World Oceans day, leading ocean advocates explain why ocean solutions are pivotal to a decarbonized, just, prosperous and resilient world.

Deloitte Climate and Sustainability Consultant, Talal Rafi, explains why with increasing support for environmental sustainability, green investments and climate innovation, key sectors can decarbonize and move towards a net zero.

Nature-related risks matter to businesses due to impacts on markets, operations, supply chains, and customer base. Beyond the motivation for biosphere stewardship generally, and ocean stewardship specifically, the economic rationale for investing in coastal ecosystems is strong.

To transition fairly, developed markets must help emerging markets find the financing they need – and it is here that private investors can have a huge impact, writes Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank.

In an increasingly challenging and volatile world, the urgent need to decarbonize real estate remains a constant, explains Christian Ulbrich, Global Chief Executive Officer; President, JLL

CEO Briefing “Leading a sustainable land use transition” argues firms should ensure land is managed well to improve resilience and sustainability.

Energy security equals energy independence, and the key to that is greater electrification, digitization and zero-carbon energy, says Annette Clayton, Chief Executive Officer, Schneider Electric North America

Shipping containers, underground tunnels and abandoned mine shafts are not obvious venues for growing food. Yet many such spaces are being turned into vertical farms.

Will greening cities be enough to fend off ever increasing intense heatwaves?

Affordable energy organisation, Power for All explains why Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions such as solar can help countries expand access to on-site clean, sufficient, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.

A new intensive review has distilled from more than 400 scientific papers and reports a comprehensive, actionable set of technologies and practices that can mitigate climate change and contribute to alleviating extreme poverty at the same time.

The scale of emissions-related innovation is welcome but the pace must not be allowed to slow if global shipping is to achieve a 5% zero-emission fuel target by 2030, argue Climate Champion Katharine Palmer and Global Maritime Forum CEO, Johannah Christensen.

Karim Elgendy, Chatham House & Martina Juvara, International Society of City and Regional Planners, explain why the UK’s planning system tool could be central to integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation in cities.

Communities across the world are coming up with locally-led solutions to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The share of the world’s population living in cities is expected to rise to 80% by 2050, from 55% now.

Direct air capture could be a solution for combatting carbon emissions that are hard to avoid – like those from certain industries – and for removing carbon that has been emitted over past decades.

Indigenous rights activist and lawyer, Cindy Kobei discusses custodianship, the law, deepening equalities caused by the climate crisis, and the need to rekindle our connection with the natural world.

An A380 Airbus recently flew for three hours with one engine powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), made from used cooking oil and other fats.

Current research at the Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge University tackles how we can reinvigorate the world’s largest potential carbon sinks: oceans.

Seafood firms can reduce their impact on climate and the oceans – and in doing so can ensure they have a long-term thriving business, writes Nigel Topping, UN High Level Champion for Climate Action at COP26.

A new AI-based study compares cities’ trees and lakes to how much concrete they have, to gauge their ability to respond to climate shocks.

A sustainable and resilient agricultural sector is key to sub-Saharan Africa’s economic future. Here’s how solar water pumps can help.

The MENA region is already the most water-scarce region in the world – and the increasing temperatures are predicted to lead to more persistent and acute drought. Building resilience is key, which is why effective climate action is vital to limit the worst effects of the climate crisis.

As with tortillas in Mexico and rice in West Africa, symbolism around bread has a spiritual dimension. Egyptians handle bread with care and respect at the bakery, on the street and in their homes.

The IPCC’s latest report on climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability made it explicit that people living in informal settlements are the most vulnerable urban populations to climate change.

Africa’s experience managing e-waste provides interesting approaches for all countries to consider when building an e-waste management system.

“If we are to realise the full benefits of ending deforestation and transitioning to sustainable production, we need to see more action now” – Nigel Topping, UN High-Level Climate Champion for COP26.

Robert Nasi, Director General, Centre for International Forestry Research explains why we must better protect and manage these vital ecosystems.

Scientists now say that the combination of rising sea levels, extreme weather events and population change in low-lying areas will put about a billion people at risk from coastal climate hazards beyond 2040. But they’ve also found that cities can offer the best hope of limiting that threat.

Any truly resilient city must have a flood management plan that integrates natural, engineered and social systems, argues Faith Chan, University of Nottingham and Olalekan Adekola, York St John University.

Women must wait 136 years before we get gender parity. To highlight this imbalance, and to mark 2022’s International Women’s Day, SHE Changes Climate has released a new short film.

Because women possess unique knowledge and experience, particularly at the local level, their inclusion in decision-making processes is critical to effective climate action.

Combined solutions to climate change and gender inequality exist – women leaders, new and emerging, just need more support.

Here’s why investment by G20 economies in nature-based solutions needs to double by mid-century to help prevent an environmental crisis.

To build out the energy infrastructure the world needs at speed and scale, circular economy will play a vital role in three main ways.

Green corridors have been likened to special economic zones at sea — arenas where companies deploy new technologies and business models at full scale, interacting with each other and with regulations and incentives tailored to their efforts.

Transforming global shipping is a critical part of reaching the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C and building zero emissions, resilient global supply chains that billions of people rely on.

An initiative, founded by the Ocean Race, is helping to increase understanding of ocean health by filling critical data gaps in remote areas and corroborating findings in locations where research already exists.

The Exponential Roadmap Initiative spoke to UK headquartered multinational consumer goods company Unilever to find out about the actions they are taking to help halve global emissions by 2030.

The Boston Consulting Group has traced the “true value” of a cookie made from ingredients sourced from multiple countries and sold in the UK. The analysis could influence big value chain decisions, such as sourcing and supplier relationships and product formulation.

Inclusive development and poverty reduction are essential to protecting the poor from disasters. Improving access to financial, technical, and institutional resources will make them better able to respond to climate change, argues David Malpass, Président, Groupe de la Banque mondiale.

A review of 16 university carbon-management schemes showed that none had quantitatively considered how their land might be used to offset emissions. David Werner, Professor in Environmental Systems Modelling, Newcastle University explains why universities should use carbon offsetting strategies for the land under their management.

Electric cars could help to power millions of households in the coming years, simply by harnessing their battery power. The electricity in the vehicle’s battery could be plugged back into the grid, instead of being stored.

We need to recognize the contributions of women as decision makers, stakeholders, educators, and experts across borders and sectors to drive long-term solutions. It’s time we realize women are the missing piece in our global efforts to protect and regenerate our planet, argues Mariah Levin & Gwendoline de Ganay, World Economic Forum.

Natural climate solutions are the key for the Race to Zero and the Race to Resilience. They can take us beyond net zero, to actually achieve drawdown. With all of the cascading benefits to people and the planet, it is clear that climate finance should support nature-based climate solutions, says Mamta Mehra, Senior Fellow, Land Use & Research Program Officer & Chad Frischmann, Senior Director, Drawdown Solutions, Project Drawdown

Heavy-duty trucking presents a special challenge. While it constitutes only 1% of total fleet vehicles, it is responsible for a disproportionate 25% share of global road emissions.

Transportation can change from being a high-emitting sector to being a climate solution…and that all depends on you, argues Heather Jones, Transportation Research Fellow, Project Drawdown.

“Scaling up NCS is a crucial step if we are to address these challenges, reach net zero and facilitate the transition to a future where we live well, within planetary boundaries,” argues Giulia Carbone, Director, Natural Climate Solutions Alliance.

“Seen side by side, these two Blue Marbles, taken half a century apart, would bring home the consequences of climate change wordlessly, instantly and globally.” Robert Poole, Professor of History, University of Central Lancashire explains why we need a fresh perspective.

“We clearly have a different problem, a leadership problem, that is now causing us to not move forward on the rescue of our ecosystems. When analysing the leadership structures of COPs since their inception, it becomes very clear, that the missing element from these conferences have been women.” Bianca Pitt, Co Founder, SHE Changes Climate.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Oregon Governor Kate Brown and the Premier of British Columbia John Horgan introduce a regional partnership called the Pacific Coast Collaborative to advance climate policies, build a clean energy economy and infrastructure, and increase their state’s resilience to impacts already occurring.

Massive Attack has commissioned the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to produce a roadmap for live music, setting out emissions reductions that would make the sector compatible with Paris/1.5C targets.

“In the last 12 years, nine of the 13 oldest and five of the six largest baobabs on continental Africa have died. And it looks like climate change is one of the reasons for this,” award winning filmmaker and naturalist Cyrille Cornu.

There is no viable route to limiting global warming to 1.5°C and building resilience without urgently protecting, managing and restoring nature, argues Nature4Climate Coalition Director, James Lloyd.

“Both Natura and The Body Shop have worked for the last two decades with traditional and indigenous communities on how we can generate a business model that gives more value to the Amazon and other countries around the world.” Keyvan Macedo, Natura & Co. Sustainability Director, explains why the company is aiming for net positive.

Ocean-based solutions not only mitigate climate change but play a large role in climate adaptation. Opinion by Project Drawdown’s Emilia Jankowska, Mamta Mehra and Chad Frischmann.

Archie Crofton and Sarah Humphrys from education-to-action organisation AimHi Earth explain why climate literacy is fundamental to tackling the climate and nature crisis locally and globally.

The Africa Green Finance Coalition (AGFC) will help bring African countries together to pool resources, share learning and create a pathway for increased flows of green investment capital to the continent.

It’s time we stop focusing so much on the cascade of destruction that climate change may bring, and start talking about the cascading benefits, argues Chad Frischmann, Senior Director, Drawdown Solutions, Project Drawdown.