Goal of the Month – Climate Action 

 “We can still limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees. We can still build a world of clear air, green jobs, and affordable clean power for all. The path forward is clear.” – UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Climate Ambition Summit, 20 September 2023 

WHERE ARE WE

Every person, in every country, in every continent will be or is impacted in some shape or form by climate change. With rising greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is occurring at rates much faster than anticipated. If left unchecked, climate change will cause average global temperatures to increase beyond 3°C and will adversely affect every ecosystem and undo a lot of the development progress made over the years. Extreme weather events are displacing millions of people, the world is heating up, and out-of-control wildfires continue to cause death and destruction, from Canada to the Greek islands. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes that deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are crucial in all sectors, beginning now and continuing throughout this decade. In order to limit global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, emissions must already be decreasing and need to be cut by almost half by 2030 – this is just seven years away and unfortunately, we’re drastically off track from this target.  

We need to raise ambition at all levels and transformation is needed across all sectors – industry, transport, forestry and agriculture. Solutions are available and investments in renewable energy have soared, but more needs to be done.  

Read more about Goal 13: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/  

SDG 13 IN NUMBERS

  • At the current rate, the world will exceed 1.5°C by 2035 and faces a 2.5°C warming by 2100. 
  • The rate of sea-level rise has doubled in the last decade. 
  • Global emissions must be halved by 2030, on the way to net-zero by 2050, but on current national plans, emissions are set to rise by 10%. 
  • Almost 30% of electricity globally comes from renewable sources today. 
  • The cost of electricity from solar power dropped by 85% over the last ten years. 
  • If we act now, climate change can be limited! From business, civil society, to individuals, solutions are available around the world to secure a livable, sustainable future for all.

IN FOCUS

30 Nov – 12 Dec | UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) 

This year’s UN climate change conference (COP28) will take place from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Against the backdrop of a worsening climate crisis, COP28 is a pivotal opportunity to take stock of progress toward meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, correct course, and accelerate action to limit global warming to 1.5°C degrees and deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.  

Learn more about the COP 28 thematic programme here: https://unfccc.int/cop28  

The road to COP28 

In the lead-up to COP28, the United Nations will issue a series of major reports on climate impacts and solutions: 

Explore some more climate-related assets and feature stories here:

The heat is on 

On 20 September 2023, the Secretary-General held the Climate Ambition Summit, a global movement for “first movers and doers” to showcase concrete, credible, and ambitious new actions to move forward across elements of the Acceleration Agenda. The Summit was also an opportunity to demonstrate that tangible and ambitious action to credibly cut emissions and deliver climate justice was possible and practical and inspire others to follow. 

But the effects of climate change are already being felt across the world. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this September was the hottest one ever, putting 2023 on track to be the warmest year ever. This continues an extended streak of extreme land and sea-surface temperatures and a clear sign of the speed with which GHG’s are changing the climate.  

The Secretary General’s recent trip to the Everest region in Nepal further emphasized the dire situation of climate impacts. Glaciers high in the Himalayas feed large river systems, sustain crops, livestock and local economies, in a region that is home to over 1.8 billion people. But with rising global temperature, ice is melting faster than ever, not only in the Himalayas but also in key areas like Greenland and Antarctica.  

The incoming COP28 must deliver urgent progress on closing the emissions gap, phase out of fossil fuels, and accelerate transition on renewable energy to ensure that we fast track climate goals by 2030 and reduce the serious climatic impacts that we’ll be facing. 

Climate mis- and disinformation 

We have the knowledge and the solutions to tackle the climate crisis, but mis- and disinformation are major obstacles towards progress. Deceptive or misleading content distorts the truth, creates confusion, and can lead to delays in action or even harmful action. Resources to combat climate mis- and disinformation with reliable, science-based facts: 

In a discussion Tackling mis/dis-information: An urgent frontier for action, the UN’s Senior Adviser on Information Integrity talked with three climate experts during the SDG Media Zone on the importance of tackling misleading facts about climate. As we tackle the climate crisis, it is crucial that we push back on harmful misperceptions that can stifle effective climate action.  

Learn more about the story here, and check out other climate-related discussions held during the SDG Media Zone here.  

HIGHLIGHTS

#ActNow for our Common Future  

ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs can improve life for all of us. Cleaner air. Safer cities. Equality. Better jobs. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow.  

We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Whether small or big, everyone can take actions towards a more sustainable future and join the global movement for change. Learn more about the actions and activities you can take to reduce your impact on the environment.   

In support of the ActNow campaign, the Climate Awards by Agora is inviting individuals and organizations around the world to share their best videos and photos showcasing projects, ideas, and action to tackle the climate crisis. Learn more about the Climate Awards challenge and see how you can participate here.  

World Sustainable Transport Day 

While transport is vital for promoting connectivity, trade, economic growth, and employment, it is also recognized as a significant source of green-house gas emissions. World Sustainable Transport Day, observed on 26 November, highlights the critical role that safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems can play in supporting economic growth, improving the social welfare of people and enhancing international cooperation and trade among countries.  

Whether it’s for work or for pleasure, the choices we make on how we get from one place to another can have a large impact on carbon emissions. Learn more on how sustainable transport choices can help reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality! 

State of the Food and Agriculture Report 

FAO’s State of the Food and Agriculture report (SOFA 2023) focuses on uncovering the hidden impacts of our agrifood systems for informed decision-making. Launching on 6 November, the report aims to make the case for sweeping transformations of agrifood systems to advance the SDG agenda. 

Relevant details for the report can be found here: 

Least Developed Countries Report 

The annual UNCTAD LDC report provides a comprehensive and authoritative source of socio-economic analysis and data on the world’s most impoverished countries. Launching on 7 November, the 2023 report highlights that LDCs have very high external financing needs to pursue their path towards sustainable development. These have become even larger due to the emergence of multiple global crises.  

The report is intended for a broad readership of governments, policymakers, researchers, and all those involved with LDCs´ development policies. Further details and the full report will be available here. 

Related Explainers 

Learn more about key areas related to the SDGs from the explainers below: 

INTERNATIONAL DAYS

2 | International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 

The International Day seeks to raise awareness of the main challenges faced by journalists and communicators in the exercise of their profession, and to warn of the escalation of violence and repression against them.  

Organized by UNESCO, in partnership with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RELE), the main event will take place on 2-3 November at OAS’s headquarters in Washington D.C. The event will focus on the violence against journalists, the integrity of elections, and the role of public leadership. Read more in the concept note here. 

5 | World Tsunami Awareness Day 

Like all disasters, tsunamis have an unequal and unique impact on the affected population. The purpose of World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) is to raise awareness about reducing tsunami-related risks and enhance community preparedness.  

This year, the theme of WTAD will mirror the theme of the International Day of Disaster Reduction: fighting inequality for a resilient future. Activities will explore the relationship between tsunamis and inequality, how inequality makes tsunamis more dangerous for certain populations, and how the aftermath of a tsunami can drive vulnerable people further into poverty and exacerbate inequality. Learn more on the 2023 report and ways to get involved in WTAD’s campaign, #GetToHighGround. 

19 | World Toilet Day 

World Toilet Day focuses on raising awareness about the need for all human beings to have access to sanitation. Toilets are a foundation stone of public health and play a critical role in protecting the environment. There are 3.5 billion people still living without safe toilets. 419 million people still practice ‘open defecation’. In these situations, diseases spread, killing 1,000 children under-five every single day.  

World Toilet Day 2023 is about accelerating change. This year’s campaign is encouraging everyone to choose sanitation related actions to speed up progress on this part of SDG 6. Learn more about the campaign here and the activation kit here.  

20 | World Children’s Day 

World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

From climate change, education and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future.  

This World Children’s Day, it’s more important than ever that the world listens to their ideas and demands. Learn more about this year’s campaign and activations here.  

21 | World Television Day 

World Television Day highlights the philosophy which the tool itself represents. Television represents a symbol for communication and globalization in the contemporary world. While people create, post, stream and consume content on different platforms, the number of households with television sets around the world continues to rise. The interaction between emerging and traditional forms of broadcast creates a great opportunity to raise awareness about the important issues facing our communities and our planet.  

Learn more about the United Nation’s various multimedia products and services covering the work of the United Nations both at Headquarters and around the world here.  

25 | International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world. The 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence campaign will run from 25 November to 10 December.    

In 2023, the UNiTE campaign theme is ‘Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls’, focusing on the importance of financing different prevention strategies to stop violence from occurring in the first place. The campaign theme is also aligned to the 2024 priority theme of the Commission on the Status of Women, focused on Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.

Learn more about this year’s campaign here, along with social assets and updated facts and figures on ending violence against women here.