What Does the EU’s First BTR Say About Its Climate Action?

The EU’s first biennial transparency report shows an emission reduction of 31.8% relative to 1990.The EU is currently not on track to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target, although the impact of recently adopted policies has yet to be determined.The EU doubled its contribution to climate finance between 2014 and 202, but concerns about its reporting methodology could have potentially led to overestimations.

BTRs: The Link Between Climate Goals And Accountability

Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) are an essential tool to enhance transparency and trust between Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They are submitted every two years, with the first ones having been submitted at the end of 2024.BTRs have four main components: greenhouse gas inventory, information to track progress, adaptation and support.BTRs are subject to expert reviews and discussions amo

How Is the World Already Adapting to Climate Change?

Mangrove restoration in Bangladesh is protecting coastal communities from rising sea levels and extreme weather events, demonstrating the power of nature-based solutions. Rainwater harvesting in Kenya addresses water scarcity, improving agricultural productivity and community resilience in arid and semi-arid regions. Urban heat reduction initiatives in France showcase how cities can adapt to rising temperatures through green infrastructure, cooling strategies, and urban planning.

What Is The Global Plastics Treaty?

The Global Plastics Treaty, still under negotiation as of December 2024, aims to become a legally binding agreement to tackle plastic pollution by addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, including production, use, and disposal. The treaty’s key commitments include phasing out harmful plastics, promoting recycling, and ensuring that producers are responsible for the environmental impact of their products through extended producer responsibility. Successful implementation will require coordinated global efforts, robust monitoring systems, and financial support for developing nations to transition to more sustainable plastic alternatives.

COP29 Special Edition

Our COP29 Special Edition contains short articles on many of the major topics and negotiation streams of the 29th UN Climate Conference – UNFCCC COP29 in November 2024. Topics covered include adaptation, agriculture, biodiversity and oceans, finance, gender, the global stocktake, just transition, mitigation and peace. The articles were written and edited by our virtual...