Addressing plastic pollution at a global level – COP16 and COP29 on the road to Busan

As COP16 continues this week in Colombia, with world leaders looking to take decisive action to protect biodiversity, high on the agenda is addressing pollution—including plastic waste—as a key driver of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. These discussions will trickle into Baku’s COP29 ahead of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, due to take place at the end of November in Busan.

28 October 2024

Looking towards COP29: Aligning trade and climate action

International trade can play a pivotal role in shaping global efforts toward decarbonisation and climate action. As the world approaches COP29, discussions are intensifying on aligning trade policies with climate goals, particularly through carbon pricing and the promotion of low-carbon technologies.

25 October 2024

Bioenergy – bridging renewable energy development and biodiversity protection

As the UN Biodiversity COP16 continues for its fourth day, the 28th IRENA Council convenes in Abu Dhabi ahead of COP29 to assess global progress in the last year. Bioenergy sits at the interface of these conversations; however robust standards must be put in place to ensure clean energy does not come at the cost of biodiversity.

24 October 2024

UN Biodiversity COP16 – turning targets into reality

The biodiversity crisis is accelerating, yet global targets to reduce loss in global species have been historically neglected. COP16 will focus on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework as countries submit their required national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

23 October 2024

What to expect at COP29 – Resilient and Healthy Cities

With over 32,000 participants registered, discussions in Baku will address the critical role of urban areas and the built environment in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The COP29 Declaration on Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) for Resilient and Healthy Cities calls on Parties and stakeholders to enhance multisectoral cooperation to tackle climate challenges faced by cities.

22 October 2024

What to expect at COP29 – Building on the Biodiversity Summit

As a record number of people are set to attend the UN Biodiversity Summit in Colombia, the importance of transforming economic models conducive to protecting and restoring the world’s natural ecosystems and their inhabitants is becoming increasingly clear. Today, the UK Government has announced its first Special Representative for Nature as governments and climate leaders come together at COP16 to review progress on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022 and discuss updated action plans for meeting its targets.

21 October 2024

2024 ESG Metrics Guide

When it comes to managing ESG data, identifying the ESG metrics to track is foundational to a company’s sustainability journey. The Novata ESG Metrics Guide breaks down the top ESG metrics investors are tracking, provides an overview of ESG frameworks, standards, and regulations, and much more -- all designed to empower you on your sustainability journey

21 October 2024

What to expect at COP29 – ensuring a just transition

As governments look to ensure their next round of NDCs are conducive with a just transition, at COP29 the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience will be launched, establishing a strategic global collaboration on human development and climate change.

18 October 2024

What to expect at COP29 - One year on from the UAE Consensus

At COP29, global leaders and stakeholders will assess the progress made since COP28 in the expansion of clean energy. The World Energy Outlook 2024, published today by the IEA, shows clean energy is entering the energy system at an unprecedented rate, yet today’s policy settings still put the world on course for a rise of 2.4 °C in global average temperatures by 2100.

16 October 2024

Countdown to COP29 – NDCs 3.0 and the path to 1.5°C

Overcoming the NDC implementation gap will be critical for the next round of submissions, due in February 2025. COP29 is a key opportunity to raise ambition for these plans whilst addressing implementation and financing needs to ensure practicability.

15 October 2024

Countdown to COP29 – raising ambition for the finance COP

Looking ahead to COP29, its focus cannot be understated. How do we invest in a liveable planet for all? The Climate Action Innovation Zone places mobilising sustainable finance through leveraging private sector investments as one of its key thematic priorities across its flagship forums, taking place 13-15 November. Across the three days, leaders from across the private and public spheres will come together to discuss the monumental task of ramping up climate finance. Speakers will include Sabine Mauderer, First Deputy Governor of the Deutsche Bundesbank; Andrew Steer, CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund; and Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor to the Inter-American Development Bank, as well as executives from the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Global Infrastructure Facility and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions.

14 October 2024

IEMA releases new guidelines on TNFD for SMEs

The new guidance document, Business Actions on TNFD: A primer on roles and reporting using the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures Framework, has been published today by IEMA as a guide for SMEs engaging with the Framework for the first time.

07 October 2024