united nations environment programmelatest news & developments
Between 20% and 40% of the world’s land area is now degraded

Climate, pollution, biodiversity: UN report sounds global alarm

Transforming economies, energy systems and food production could prevent millions of deaths and halt biodiversity loss, the UN’s latest report finds

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
The “hard-fought” negotiations to develop a landmark United Nations treaty to end plastic pollution closed on Friday without agreement and have been extended again

UN plastics treaty talks collapse

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dion George said South Africa will continue working to end plastic pollution in the country and develop fair, practical regulations

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
The UN Financing for Development Summit failed to deal with the issue of funding countries hit hardest by the climate crisis. (Envato Elements)

Climate crisis puts older adults at high risk from extreme heat, Unep warns

‘Zombie’ microbes may reawaken as Earth’s ice melts, a study has found

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
The Unep study, which the Global Environment Facility funded, was conducted in 42 countries in regions where data on persistent organic pollutants is limited.(Photo by Doaa Adel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

UN report shows decline in some chemical pollutants as new threats emerge

Persistent organic pollutants stay in the environment over decades and longer and are linked to cancer, liver damage and decreased fertility

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
There are early signs that fewer lesser kestrels (above) and Amur falcons are visiting South Africa this year. (Photo by: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Insect decline threatens migratory bird

There are early signs that fewer lesser kestrels and Amur falcons are visiting South Africa this year

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Mangroves — shrub and tree species that live along shores, rivers and estuaries — are a cost-effective solution to tackling the climate crisis. (Photo by Cem Ozdel/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Restoring mangroves a nature-based fix for plight planet faces

Nature-based solutions can play help solve the triple crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Last year, the CSIR received the UN’s highest environmental honour when it was named one of five Champions of the Earth for 2023 for its efforts to develop and apply solutions to plastic pollution. Photo by Delwyn Verasamy

Award-winning local innovation fights plastic pollution

At state-of-the-art labs in Pretoria, a team of scientists is developing compostable products to replace single-use ones that are not recycled This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Sheree Bega
1 min read
Firefighters battle a blaze on Signal Hill in Cape Town. Wildfires are likely to become frequent. Photo: Rodger Bosch/Getty Images

UN report: Funding gap for adaptation much wider than anticipated

Wealthy nations default on payments for climate adaptation

  • Eyaaz
6 min read