Financing agro-ecology to cut emissions from food systems
5/12/2023: A policy brief from the Research Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience at Coventry University calls on governments to mobilise finance for the transition to climate-friendly food and farming. This will involve switching subsidies away from fossil-fuel intensive agri-food systems.
Source: Third World Network
Phase out of fossil fuels critical to right to water in MENA
8/12/2023: The climate crisis is severely exacerbating water scarcity in the Middle East and North Africa region. Governments at COP28 should act to urgently phase out fossil fuels and deliver climate finance, two measures that are critical to ensure people’s right to water.
Source: Amnesty International
COP 28 declaration on cycle of conflict and climate change
4/12/2023: Poor governance and conflict leave people more vulnerable to climate change, while climate impacts fuel further tensions. At COP 28 more than 70 countries and 40 humanitarian organizations have approved a declaration to tackle this vicious circle.
Source: Devex
UN view on progress and prospects for COP28
7/12/2023: COP28 is expected to close on 12 December. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happened so far and what’s ahead. Negotiators must focus on how to bolster emissions-cutting targets set by the Paris Agreement and what to do about the future of fossil fuels.
Source: UN News
Guterres invokes Article 99 for humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza
6/12/2023: Invoking a rarely used article of the UN Charter, Secretary-General António Guterres has summoned the Security Council to call for a full humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants. This is the first time Mr. Guterres has felt compelled to invoke Article 99 since taking office in 2017.
Source: UN News
Ugandan minister accuses West of pushing LGBTQ agenda
7/12/2023: Uganda has pushed back against criticism of its draconian anti-gay laws. US President Joe Biden as well as the European Union and UN chief Antonio Guterres have slammed the legislation, warning that foreign aid and investment for Uganda could be jeopardised unless the law is repealed.
Source: The East African
US tests Congress with $3bn Green Climate Fund pledge
2/12/2023: In a bid to overcome its record of under-delivery that angers developing countries, the US has promised $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund. However, President Biden will have to persuade Republicans in Congress to approve the money, unless he takes control of Congress himself through elections in 2024.
Source: Climate Home News
Rising malaria cases heighten concern about global warming
1/12/2023: Implementation of global malaria strategy is off-track and health experts are concerned that climate change could further increase incidence of the disease. Malaria cases and deaths have still not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Source: Devex
Countries pledge $400m to set up loss and damage fund
30/11/2023: A new loss and damage fund for the victims of climate disaster has been approved by negotiators on the first day of COP28 in Dubai. Germany and COP28 hosts United Arab Emirates have committed $100 million each to the start-up phase of the fund.
Source: Climate Home News
Aid rankings for sexual and reproductive health
1/12/2023: The US is the only country to allocate more than 10% of its aid budget towards sexual and reproductive health programmes. However, a new donor funding atlas takes into account the policies pursued by each donor nation, as well as the amount of finance.
Source: Devex