105 countries pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030
The Global Methane Pledge announced at COP26, commits signatories, including the US, Japan and Canada, to reducing their overall emissions by 30% by 2030, compared with 2020 levels.
United Nations
This archive tracks progress tied to the United Nations — from landmark agreements and humanitarian milestones to global health and climate commitments. Stories here show how multilateral cooperation produces real-world results.
More than 100 countries pledge to end deforestation by 2030 at COP26
In the first major deal to come out of the COP26 climate talks, more than 100 countries have pledged to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. The signatories hold more than 85% of the world’s forests.
‘Landmark decision’ gives legal teeth to protect environmental defenders throughout Europe
It is the first ever internationally-agreed tool to safeguard environmental defenders and marks an important step in upholding the universal right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
World leaders pledge $400 billion to boost clean energy and renewables
More than 35 countries — from small developing island states to major emerging and developed economies — have made significant new energy commitments in the form of energy pacts, the UN said.
Drones deliver blood to prevent maternal death in Botswana
In 2019, the country recorded a maternal mortality rate of 166 deaths per 100,000 births, more than double the average for upper-middle-income countries.
Liberia, Mexico, Niger, Senegal, and Sierra Leone to support deployment of women in peace operations through UN Elsie Initiative Fund
The five receiving countries are in the process of conducting an in-depth barrier assessment to identify the obstacles to women’s selection and deployment to international peace operations and to start implementing their national plans.
UN adopts landmark framework to integrate natural capital in economic reporting
“This is a historic step forward towards transforming how we view and value nature. We will no longer be heedlessly allowing environmental destruction and degradation to be considered economic progress” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
U.N. reclassifies cannabis as a less dangerous drug
Cannabis is no longer classified as a Schedule IV drug as per WHO’s recommendation. The declassification opens up the door for more research into its medicinal and therapeutic uses.
Global investment in renewable energy to triple this decade, says UN
Global investment in new capacity for renewable energy is on course to reach $2.6 trillion by the end of this decade, more than triple the amount of the previous decade, the UN says.
187 nations signed a UN plastics waste protocol
The protocol requires countries that want to ship their waste products to other nations to first obtain the permission of the receiving nations.