Countries told they can’t afford to miss the opportunity to tackle plastic pollution next year – but can they resolve a row over cutting oil-heavy production?
Countries failed to break a stalemate over core issues for a new treaty, with a push to manufacture less plastic meeting resistance from oil-rich states
Major fossil fuel-producing countries are blamed at negotiations in Busan for opposing curbs on plastic manufacturing, a key market for oil and gas
Rather than just reusing and recycling ever-growing mountains of plastic waste, it’s essential to tackle the problem at the source
International emissions-cutting targets need to be translated into national laws to guarantee delivery and protect the rights of future generations
A high-level panel is working to define principles for responsible mining, which will be presented to the UN General Assembly in September
António Guterres calls extreme heat “the new abnormal” as he urges countries to step up protection of vulnerable populations
A more effective framework led by the UN could involve a binding financial target, a role for emerging economies and consolidation of funds
Frontline leaders who know the effects of plastic-related pollution want a global treaty that puts public health, human rights and the environment first
Despite the setback campaigners hope countries will be emboldened to protect marine ecosystems as they negotiate seabed mining rules
Vanuatu also sought support for its campaign to seek an opinion from the International Court of Justice on countries’ legal obligations to protect people from climate disasters
Campaigners had hoped President Xi would surprise the world again this week with tough measures to reverse biodiversity loss. They were left disappointed
Climate change risks are global and intersecting, so why doesn’t the UN do more to treat them that way?