News headlines for “Environmental Issues”, page 80
Climate Change’s Dire Consequences Laid Bare at International Court of Justice Hearnings
- Inter Press Service

THE HAGUE & SRINAGAR, Dec 04 (IPS) - At the International Court of Justice on Tuesday, December 4, 2024, Brazil called for climate justice, and Canada urged swift action on the world's "greatest challenge," while China advocated for equity and development rights. These countries are among the 98 that will make presentations during the fortnight of hearings, after which the court will give an advisory opinion.
Meet the ‘Land Heroes’ who are fighting desertification
- UN News

From planting a billion trees in Zimbabwe, in southern Africa, to exporting products from the moringa tree in Mali and developing a climate action-focused board game called “Rescuing Penguins," in Costa Rica, a group of young people has been recognized by the UN for making a positive impact in the fight to counter desertification, land degradation and drought.
Focus on Africa: IPBES Plenary Session Makes Inaugural Visit to Biodiverse Continent
- Inter Press Service

NAIROBI, Dec 03 (IPS) - The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services’ (IPBES) first Plenary session in Africa is a “crucial acknowledgement of Africa’s important contribution to biodiversity conservation, which is a global public good, a heritage that Africa has the privilege to share with the peoples of the world,” says Dr. Luthando Dziba, from South Africa, co-chair of the IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel.
The ‘slow onset, silent killer’: Droughts explained
- UN News

Droughts across the world are intensifying and have become a “slow onset, silent killer” to which no country is immune, according to the UN’s most senior official working on desertification, drought and land restoration issues.
Small Island States Demand International Court Look Beyond Climate Treaties For Justice
- Inter Press Service

THE HAGUE & JOHANNESBURG, Dec 02 (IPS) - Countries facing existential crises due to climate change have asked the International Court of Justice in the Hague to look beyond climate treaties, like the Paris Agreement, when it considers its opinion on the obligations of high-emitting UN member states.A few UN member states responsible for the majority of emissions have breached international law, Ralph Regenvanu, a special climate envoy from Vanuatu, told the International Court of Justice in the Hague in his opening address.
COP29 Falls Short on Finance
- Inter Press Service

LONDON, Dec 02 (IPS) - COP29, the latest annual climate summit, had one job: to strike a deal to provide the money needed to respond to climate change. It failed.
This was the first climate summit dedicated to finance. Global south countries estimate they need a combined US$1.3 trillion a year to transition to low-carbon economies and adapt to the impacts of climate change. But the last-minute offer made by global north states was for only US$300 billion a year.
Giving the Ocean a Fighting Chance Through the Great Blue Wall
- Inter Press Service

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Dec 02 (IPS) - The Ocean is our life source, but for decades it has been repeatedly marred by humankind. With the disposal of pollutants into the Ocean, overexploitation of Ocean resources and the human-driven increase of global temperatures, the Ocean is changing and not for the better.
Our Oceans are warming, corals are dying, fish stocks are declining, toxic chemicals are being released into the Ocean – these eAects are clearly visible today, but there is hope. There are organisations from all around the world that are fighting to save our Ocean.
Confronting the Global Crisis of Land Degradation
- Inter Press Service

RIYADH Saudi Arabia, Dec 02 (IPS) - A major new scientific report was launched December 1, a day ahead of the opening of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16).
Youth-Led Landmark Climate Change Case Starts in The Hague
- Inter Press Service

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 02 (IPS) - Youth and climate activists believe that the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion will send a powerful legal signal that UN member states cannot ignore their legal duties to act and protect the environment against climate change.The intersection of law, diplomacy, and science will come under the spotlight at the International Court of Justice hearings starting today (Monday, December 2, 2024) in The Hague as the court starts its deliberations into the obligations under international law of UN member states to protect people and ecosystems from climate change.
Landmark climate change hearings represent largest ever case before world court
- UN News

A record number of oral statements are expected to be presented to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as highly awaited public hearings on States’ legal obligations with respect to climate change got underway on Monday.

