The climate emergency is a direct consequence of carbon-heavy land-use and agriculture, transport, buildings and industrial processes and polluting energy sources. Without profound changes to these sectors and a drastic cut to carbon footprints, there is little hope of protecting the planet from the devastating effects of a warmer world.
Below are climate-related news and events from the United Nations and partners.
This Aviation Climate Week, ICAO brings the global aviation community together presenting a powerful opportunity to show that coordinated, smart action delivers wins for both people and the planet.
Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, delivered remarks on World Environment Day, which calls on us to #BeatPlasticPollution and reminds us that change starts with the choices we make.
From what we produce to what we discard, our decisions can shape markets, shift industries, and drive systemic transformation.
The aviation sector is no exception. In his remarks during ICAO’s Aviation Climate Week, Krause highlighted that single-use plastic waste, identified in ICAO’s 2024 toolkit, is a growing concern, especially with air traffic projected to grow by 4.3% annually. From cabin waste to packaging and airport disposables, the sector has a clear opportunity to lead: eliminating waste while cutting emissions, restoring ecosystems, and creating economic value.
As ICAO convenes the global aviation community, it’s vital to acknowledge that while aviation drives economic development and global connectivity, it also accounts for around 2.4% of global CO₂ emissions, mostly from international flights, which are not included in national inventories and remain hard to regulate.
From single-use plastics in the cabin to excess packaging in logistics and waste discarded at airports, the industry can lead the charge, not only to eliminate waste but also to pioneer innovative solutions that reduce emissions, restore ecosystems, and deliver economic value.
This is a moment to lead with integrity and grounded in science and collaboration.
UNEP participated in the 5th Global Conference of the OPN Sustainable Food Systems Programme, held in May 2025 under the theme “Overcoming the Barriers to Food Systems Transformation.” The event brought together global stakeholders to align food systems action with nutrition, equity, climate, and biodiversity goals ahead of the upcoming UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (Addis Ababa, July 2025) and COP30 (Belém, November 2025).
As part of the programme, UNEP convened two Solutions Workshops, contributing to global efforts to accelerate progress toward sustainable food systems and feeding into the upcoming Food Waste Breakthrough, to be launched at COP30 led by UNEP , the UN Climate Champions and country champions Brazil and Japan.
1. Workshop 6: Scaling Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Reduction
2. Workshop 4: Inclusive Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Action
"Cities that embed and prioritize nature reap multiple benefits. They can reduce emissions and protect people by using natural cooling, shading and flood barriers. They can create urban food systems that deliver affordable and nutritious food. They can improve physical and mental health: because exposure to nature makes us healthier," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP at the resumed Second Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly.
Across the Global South, local communities are on the frontlines of climate change but remain largely excluded from the financial systems meant to support adaptation. While adaptation finance is growing, much of it fails to reach those most affected due to inaccessible funding mechanisms, short-term investment horizons, and a lack of meaningful local input. Local actors possess vital knowledge of their ecosystems and challenges, yet their insights are often sidelined in top-down financial decision-making.
In response, the “Bridging the Gap” workshop in February 2025 brought together local leaders, financial institutions, and development actors to address these issues. Key recommendations from local voices included co-developing adaptation strategies with communities, embedding resilience into investment processes, and creating more inclusive, flexible financing tools. These changes are essential not only for ethical reasons but also to ensure adaptation efforts are effective, scalable, and sustainable.
Financial institutions have a central role in shifting the status quo. By prioritizing local perspectives in investment design, risk assessments, and long-term partnerships, they can reduce risks and unlock innovative, community-driven solutions. UNEP FI and its partners are helping financial institutions implement these changes through new frameworks, pilot projects, and tools that support adaptation finance in vulnerable regions—moving from business-as-usual toward climate resilience that truly works for the frontlines.
At the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, UN-Habitat and UNEP renewed their commitment to accelerate joint solutions for resilient, inclusive, and low-emission cities.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat and Martin Krause, Director of UNEP’s climate change division, announced the renewed Greener Cities Partnership, reaffirming over a decade of collaboration between UNEP and UN-Habitat. The partnership brings together UNEP’s environmental policy expertise and UN-Habitat’s grounded urban knowledge to help countries and cities respond to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The renewed focus of the partnership centres on three priority areas: low-emission, resilient and affordable buildings and neighbourhoods; resilient infrastructure and access to basic services; and biodiverse, inclusive urban planning and design.
This relaunch coincided with an announcement of key climate and environment milestones for 2025 aimed to strengthen multilevel collaboration and support cities in delivering on climate and development goals.
With countries submitting their updated national climate plans (NDCs 3.0) and global attention turning to implementation, the milestones outlined provide a clear roadmap for transforming commitments into local climate action that improves lives and builds a better urban future for all.
The United Nations Secretary-General warned on 23 May that Himalayan glaciers are “caving in,” urging immediate action to address the climate crisis, especially in the world’s most fragile ecosystems.
António Guterres issued the warning in a video message to the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad, or “Everest Dialogue,” convened by the Government of Nepal in Kathmandu.
“Record temperatures have meant record glacier melt,” he said.
Named after Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali), the international platform convened ministers, parliamentarians, climate experts, and civil society to focus on climate change, mountain ecosystems, and sustainability.
Are you a journalist or media creator focused on nature and climate issues?
The Belem Desk initiative fosters informed nature and climate reporting by connecting Brazilian, Indigenous, and global media with experts to address key agenda items ahead of COP30.
Cohort members will receive editorial support and collaboration on nature and climate topics, exclusive access to briefings and high-level spokespeople, and the opportunity to join field visits to Amazon-based projects.
Applications close on 30 May.
At the 2025 Nature Summit—held alongside Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week—UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell issued a clear message: “Clear and strong climate policies are an antidote to economic uncertainty.”
With water levels dropping in the Panama Canal and food systems under threat, Stiell calls for a new generation of climate plans — not just to cut emissions, but to drive growth, resilience, and prosperity.
These plans can unlock $2 trillion in clean energy markets, create jobs, and send the right signals to investors ready to act.
“Done right, these plans mean more revenue, more opportunity — and a better future for all.”
And the world is responding:
"In the past, climate plans have often focused mainly on cuts - cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and to old-fashioned energy. This new generation of climate plans are really [also] about growth. Growing industries and economies. And building better futures. One where nature is protected, and where people have better opportunities."
Hosted by Panama’s Ministry of Environment and the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), the 2025 Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) National Designated Entities (NDE) Forum kicked off with a strong regional showing on climate technology.
What’s an NDE?
NDEs serve as national focal points to promote climate technologies and connect countries with technical assistance under the UNFCCC.
The forum spotlights the role of renewable energy, AI, circular economy, and nature-based solutions like mangroves in building resilience across Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Conservation and restoration aren't enough on their own. We need innovation to transform how we produce, live, and adapt,” said Ramiro Salinas Revello (UN CTCN).
Overall, the first day of the Forum successfully laid the groundwork for impactful discussions and action for another three days. With a clear emphasis on climate resilience through technology, regional cooperation, access to finance and innovative solutions, the event aims to facilitate climate action across Latin America and the Caribbean.
