United Nations

Vatican Pushes for Broad UN Climate Agreement

November 04, 2015

A recent statement announced by the Vatican and signed by Catholic officials from five continents has called for countries to agree at UN negotiations later this year on a climate change deal to "complete decarbonisation" by the year 2050 and "new models of development and lifestyle" that would end fossil fuel use.
UK Considers Filing EU Negotiation Outcome with UN

November 04, 2015

The Telegraph reports that UK Government officials are considering registering with the UN any deal these officials make with the EU regarding a new balance of competences between Britain and the bloc in order to give the deal the status of a "binding international contract" and force the EU to adhere to the bargain.
UN Council Pushes Integration of SDGs in National Policies

November 04, 2015

The UN Economic and Social Council has "urgently" called for countries to create plans to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") in their national policies, with "balanced" consideration of economic, social, and environmental issues included in the global development agenda.
WHO Calls for Action to Reduce Traffic Risks

November 04, 2015

The UN's World Health Organization ("WHO") has called for "urgent action" from countries around the world to improve legislation, enforcement, and road and vehicle safety regulations in order to prevent deaths caused by road traffic crashes.
US Secretary of State Affirms Support for UNESCO

November 03, 2015

US Secretary of State John Kerry has affirmed the Obama Administration's support for the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") and for the restoration of funding to the organization after the US was legally forced to withdraw it following UNESCO's recognition of Palestine as a member state.
UN Uses SDGs as Platform for Oceans Governance

November 03, 2015

A new initiative of the UN Environment Programme called the Partnership for Regional Oceans Governance will seek to pressure governments to accept regional, multi-stakeholder governance of oceans to achieve provisions of the UN Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") related to "sustainable use of the oceans."
UNHCR Endorses "Climate Refugee" Agreement

October 30, 2015

A recent meeting, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees ("UNHCR") supported an agreement that sets out necessary practices in identifying the needs of refugees fleeing their home countries due to global warming.
UN Pushes Higher-Education Involvement in Climate Agenda

October 30, 2015

The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative, a partnership of UN agencies, recently held a conference on how to advance action on global warming, including through innovations on climate-change mitigation and adaptation and the creation of new climate policies, prior to a major UN climate conference to be held in Paris at the end of the year.
UN Seeks Trade Policies Aligned with Environmental Agenda

October 30, 2015

The UN Environment Programme's International Resource Panel has produced a report that countries around the world to adjust their natural-resource trade policies to ensure that international trade contributes to a "healthier global environment."
South African Official Compares Draft Climate Deal to Apartheid

October 29, 2015

As countries continue their negotiation over a global pact on climate change, a delegate from South Africa criticized a draft climate deal for failing to require enough action from developed countries and enough redistribution from these countries to less wealthy nations to deal with global warming, likening the draft deal to her country's former racist apartheid system.