Ensuring climate justice for the urban poor
The northeast of Bangladesh has been battling its worst flooding in over a century. Rising waters washed away homes, livelihoods, farmlands, roads, and critical infrastructure, leaving around 7.2 million people in the Sylhet region severely impacted. Despite evacuation and relief efforts, many remained cut off for protracted periods from rescue and relief. Women and girls were particularly vulnerable, and food insecurity and risks of waterborne diseases still remain high. These floods occurred at a time when the southeast, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and many areas of the Barind tract were suffering from the effects of droughts. These events are a grim reminder that climate change is an existential threat across Bangladesh. Its far-reaching consequences are increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of disasters, putting at risk years of hard-earned economic, social, and human development progress made by the country. Rural-to-urban migration for greater economic and social security is becoming inevitable, and climate stresses and shocks will only increase this trend, especially from climate "hotspots'' across vulnerable areas in Bangladesh. Currently, Dhaka alone receives about 400,000 migrants annually, significantly contributing to the city's increasing population of slum dwellers – a population group which, despite having migrated under distress, continues to face climate vulnerabilities such as flooding and landslides while having limited access to basic services such as health, education, and nutrition.
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.