UN Environment Programme’s Post

Climate change will increasingly threaten the social, economic and natural systems, thereby hindering progress towards achieving sustainable development. We need to ACT together

The #ClimateCrisis hits the most vulnerable hardest, making it crucial to address these issues to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Let's stay informed and support global efforts for a more sustainable and equitable future. #SustainableDevelopment #NoPoverty #UNEP #ClimateAction #SDGs

how #ClimateBreakdown & soaring #inequality intersect, urging transformative action to address the disproportionate impact on the marginalized and the #GlobalSouth. #ClimateAction #COP28UAE #Governments #Business #Education #GlobalChallenges #GlobalGoals

“Despite women being the pri­mary caregivers for the ill, their visibility in decision-making processes, particularly concern­ing climate change, remains dis­proportionately low worldwide. Women are particularly vul­nerable to the impacts of cli­mate change and often bear a disproportionate burden when it comes to adaptation efforts. Consequently, integrating wom­en as active partners in vulnera­bility studies, mitigation strate­gies, climate change adaptation, and resource management is not just a matter of equality but a necessity for effective and comprehensive solutions.” My latest article in #TheNation on the need of women’s representation in climate change related policies and environmental management. https://lnkd.in/dwBfJ5MF

Climate change poses dire health and human rights risks Human health relies on healthy ecosystems, but these are under threat. Securing the right to live in a healthy environment is crucial for all. By Chris Beyrer Climate change has not traditionally been seen as a health and human rights concern — but that may be changing following recent high-profile court cases. On April 9 the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of a group of elderly Swiss women who claimed the government’s inadequate efforts to combat climate change put them at risk of dying during heatwaves. And in India, the Supreme Court on April 6 recognised a right against the adverse effects of climate change as a distinct fundamental right in the Constitution. In that judgement, one of the judges said the rights to life and equality couldn’t be fully realised without a clean, stable environment. The court also highlighted the connection between climate change and the right to health. The World Health Organization has declared climate change to be the greatest threat to health that humanity faces. Read on at https://lnkd.in/ehqmfY8B

How can the climate transition also tackle gender inequality?  Some of the answers can be found in our latest report 'A gender just transition - case studies from South Africa' developed together with 4 of our South African partner organizations: https://lnkd.in/d3JPN6SP Did you miss the webinar or want to watch it again? Find the recording here: https://lnkd.in/dT5J9Djw   A few words about the report: While recognising the gendered dimensions of climate change, it is important to also recognize women and girls as active agents of change in climate action. In this light, the report fills a gap. It gives concrete examples of what a gender-just climate and energy transition can look like in practice.  The cases presented in the report cover air pollution, energy access, water access and activist movement support. It shows that many societal challenges are interlinked and that a holistic approach must be applied to the struggle for a Just Transition. Based on the case studies we provide policy recommendations to civil society and decision makers. Some vital ones:  Civil society:   ·   Starting somewhere is crucial, as an environmental organisation, you may not be experts in gender, and vice versa, but learning will unfold along the way  ·   Environmental movement and women’s rights movements need to work closer together  Decision makers:  ·   Take on a whole of society approach when designing policies related to the transition, how can you harvest the opportunities that comes with the transition to also tackle other societal issues also tackle other societal issues  ·   Climate finance and development aid should to a larger extent be locally led and reach local civil society organisations and women-led organisations and groups.   ·    Climate and energy policy should be based on marginalised groups and their needs - e.g. the incorporation of women’s needs for energy 

Happy International Women's Day. I am privileged to be commemorating International Women's Day, with my family, friends and colleagues. Many women around simply cannot afford this luxury, due to climate change. Climate change disproportionately affects women. Would you agree, and what can be done?   In this Conversation piece, 'Women battle when trying to take climate change cases to court - South Africa and Nigeria study shows why', I share three imperatives for improving women's access to climate justice via the courts: (a) data on the impact of climate change on women and girls; (b) expanding legal aid to cover climate cases; and (c) gender-responsive climate litigation with enforcement.    Climate change impacts affects women's ability to carry out their caring responsibilities in many traditional settings. It creates health problem, affects their access to water, energy and other livelihood resources. In 2023, the Bayelsa State Oil and Gas Commission published a report on the human and environmental cost of big oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria, showing the prevalence of pregnancy complications and other acute and chronic diseases in host communities for oil and gas production.    I have closely followed the state of climate litigation across Africa, and women's efforts to pursue climate litigation in Switzerland and Pakistan. In Switzerland, the KlimaSeniorinnen failed to convince the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland that senior women suffered sufficient damage from climate change to sustain the action, even though they had evidence of more women dying from extreme heat. They have now filed a suit before the European Court of Human Rights.   A full length chapter capturing my thoughts on this theme was also recently published in the book on Climate Litigation and Justice in Africa, brilliantly edited by Kim Bouwer, Uzuazo Etemire, PhD, Professor Tracy-Lynn Field, and Adebola Oluborode Jegede. Are you aware of any successful climate justice initiatives for women and girls? I am open to collaborations on strengthening national legal systems to improve access to climate justice for women and girls. Please reach out to me if you have similar interests.   Engobo Emeseh J. Jarpa Dawuni Esq., Ph.D. Jabulani Sikhakhane Erebi Ndoni, Ph.D Irekpitan Okukpon, PhD Eghosa Ekhator Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb #InternationalWomensDay #ClimateJustice #SDG5 #SDG13 #ClimateLitigation 

Richest 1% Emit More Carbon than Poorest Two-Thirds, Oxfam Report... In a report published by Oxfam International, the wealthiest 1% of the global population, consisting of 77 million individuals, emit as much carbon as the poorest two-thirds, totaling five billion people. For more information, videos and images: https://lnkd.in/gysdzQbg This climate disparity, outlined in the report titled “Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%,” focuses on the urgent need for government policies to address the unequal distribution of carbon emissions. The findings, based on research from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), underlines the critical role of income levels in environmental impact. For more information, videos and images: https://lnkd.in/gysdzQbg #oxfam #oxfamreport #carbonemition #airpollution #airemition #climatecrisis #geopsychiatry #mentalhealth #bernardarnault #industries #industriesemition #carbon #airquality #news #business #technology