UN forum pushes for emerging 'blue economy
The ocean economy, fisheries and marine environmental protection were front and centre at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which opened on Thursday night (NZ time) in Geneva. The three-day Oceans Forum is expected to promote a shift to a sustainable ocean economy by facilitating post Covid-19 recovery and resilience. "It is an opportunity to find solutions for using trade as a tool to protect our ocean and its resources, accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14's trade-related targets," said UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be "a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all" set up in 2015 by the UN General Assembly. The forum will examine how a "Blue Deal" to build a resilient ocean economy will boost trade, livelihoods, and food security, while improving the health of the ocean in the face of increased plastics pollution and carbon emissions. The ocean economy is expected to double in size by 2030, the UN said in a statement. However, more investment is needed to drive new sectors – including seaweed farming for food, cosmetics, and biofuels – that could benefit many island and coastal countries.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.