Climate change news

Belém do Pará, BRAZIL (9 August 2023) – At a Summit held in Brazil, eight Amazonian countries signed the Belém Declaration bringing an important political message:we must act now to prevent the biome from reaching the point of no return.Science underscores the fact that the Amazon is dangerously close to reaching that point. Within the next 10 years, the forest could enter a process of irreversible degradation if there is continued loss of theregion's forests and other ecosystems at the current rate. This will have catastrophic climate, economic and social consequences for all of Latin America and the world. WWF recognizes the importance of the Belém Declaration as a political moment for the Amazon. Despite not reaching concrete goals for some critical issues in the region, the mere fact the leaders met to discuss how to avoid the point of no return is notable, says WWF. But while the leadersunderstand what scientists say, and understood the call of society, it must clear that the Amazon is in danger, and there is not much time to take action. So it is regrettable that the eight Amazonian countries, as one front, did not reach a common decision to end deforestation in the region. Brazil and Colombia committed to stopping deforestation by 2030, but this goal was not accepted by the other countries - Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela. Instead, the leaders agreed to create an "Amazon Alliance to Combat Deforestation." But even with that, there was no agreement on a unified goal between the countries, despite the imperative to avoid reaching a tipping point. WWF-Brazil Executive Director, Mauricio Voivodic, said, “It is positive that the heads of state have recognized the point of no return in the Amazon and the urgency of avoiding it. But it is necessary to adopt concrete and solid measures that are capable of eliminating deforestation as quickly as possible.” The eight leaders did agreeto "work jointly in the implementation of actions to eradicate the illegal exploitation of minerals and related crimes, including money laundering." This is a necessary and urgent measure, says WWF. Recent studies show that a great part of the Amazonian population, including Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities as well as those living in urban areas, are exposed to mercury contamination. Transnational policies and mechanisms for prevention, regulation, control, alerts, response, and remediation of environmental crimes and other illegal activities, including illegal gold mining, must be adopted. Voivodic noted that, “combating and eliminating illegal gold and mercury contamination, which have become an environmental and public health problem in the region, requires equal attention and urgency.” The declaration included an agreement to strengthen the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) as a key institution for articulation and cooperation for sustainable development in the region. This is something to be optimistic about, since it will not be possible to carry out the implementation agenda of this summit without a more agile and politically supported body, said WWF. The declaration recognizes Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ rights to the territory, urging countries to move forward with the demarcation, titling, and protection of their territories, which provide immense ecosystem services to all societies. There is still a lack of commitment from the Amazonian governments on how to harmonize national legislation and improve the guarantee of territorial rights in countries where these have not yet been developed. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are the true guardians of the Amazon and their involvement in the development of a sustainable economy is fundamental for the region, said WWF.The recognition of the important role of protected areas and the definition of common actions for their expansion and effective management are also pending. As well as the strengthening of other conservation measures - including indigenous territories - comprehensive landscape approaches and ecosystem and cultural connectivity, there needs to be a guarantee to conserve 80% of the Amazon. “It is imperative to increase protected areas and indigenous territories. As ACTO emerged strengthened, which helps in the rapid implementation of effective actions in the fight against deforestation, mercury, and illegal mining, as well as in the expansion of protected areas and indigenous territories," Voivodic said. In the coming months, the strengthened ACTO must work on an action plan, with defined dates, goals, and resources to put the agreements of this summit into practice. ACTO's efforts should be integrated into the commitments on the international agenda in the various multilateral processes in the future. Society organizations, including WWF, will be ready to help in any way possible, as the challenge of avoiding the point of no return belongs to all of us and it is now.

A recent report by an international body of scientists exposes the sheer gravity of the climate crisis and the increasingly severe climate impacts facing people and nature. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report included a stunning data visualization that uses warming stripes- a series of coloured lines in chronological order that portray long-term temperature trends - to show how the climate people live with today differs from the climate that their parents experienced and the one that their children could experience. To drive home the impacts on nature, WWF created a new version which incorporates plants and animals to highlight how climate change affects generations across all species on the planet. Climate change is already affecting species in terrestrial, freshwater and ocean ecosystems around the world, according to the IPCC. Future warming will make impacts worse. More frequent and more severe extreme events like droughts, floods, and fires, along with habitat degradation, changes in water cycles, and heat stress challenge most animal populations. Those impacts also affect humans, and lead to more competition among all life for resources. Take a look at the impact on a few of the species pictured: Warm water corals Warm water corals like red coral can live for hundreds of years. These organisms are highly sensitive to warming. In a very low warming future - one that limits temperature rise to 1.5ºC - the IPCC projects a loss of 70% of warm water corals. Beyond a 2ºC increase, virtually all warm water corals disappear. Oak trees There are about 500 species of oak trees, many of which can live over 250 years. So far, oaks have adapted to climate change by shifting their range and evolving genetically. But climate change harms these species as the frequency and ferocity of wildfires increases, pests gain more opportunities to thrive, and drought intensifies in some landscapes. Whales Whales are long-lived species, and bowhead whales can live more than 200 years in the wild. Climate change is affecting bowhead habitat use, distribution, and migration timing. Nature is part of the solution But while nature is impacted by climate change, it’s also part of the solution. Nature has slowed global warming by absorbing 54% of human-related CO2 emissions over the past decade. And if we reduce deforestation, restore ecosystems, manage forests, help soil store more carbon, and improve farming techniques, nature can absorb even more. Nature offers protection as well. Healthy ecosystems can increase resilience and keep people safer from climate impacts. Coral reefs offer protection from storm surges, along with wetlands and mangroves. Forests also soak up excess rainwater, preventing run-offs, landslides, and damage from flooding. We must act urgently to address the climate crisis. The changes we are already experiencing are causing dangerous and widespread disruptions in nature. Even though some species have managed to adapt to a warmer climate and will continue to do so, other natural systems are being pushed beyond their limits. Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is important for avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, but every fraction of a degree matters because effects worsen with every increment of warming. We know the steps that governments, businesses, and all of us must take to stop climate change at or before 1.5ºC. We must cut global emissions by half by 2030, as well as enhance and restore healthy ecosystems. Credits: Original figure: IPCC Synthesis Report SPM 2023 (led by Alex Ruane and Background Stories) Warming stripes: Ed Hawkins

The G7 Summit, held from 19 to 21 May 2023 in Hiroshima, Japan, marked the 48th meeting of leaders of the world’s most advanced economies. It took place in the shadow of many geopolitical issues that are shifting traditional alliances and approaches to global challenges, such as the climate and nature crisis. Political signals from G7 Summit This is a vital year for the political consolidation of the Paris Agreement, as its first Global Stocktake will take place at COP28. Ahead of this key milestone, much was expected from the G7 Summit, as it was the first global meeting of leaders this year. It is critical for these types of meetings to set the political tone for what must be done to tackle climate change and protect nature. “We did not see the new and strong political signals of ambition we needed at the G7 Summit. As the ‘club’ of the biggest economies, we expect more and faster action, in line with the latest science. What we saw is concerning. These leaders showed they are not aligned to what is necessary to keep the world on a pathway to limit global warming to 1.5˚C”, said WWF Climate and Energy Policy Head, Fernanda de Carvalho. She added, “G7 leaders must step up their own efforts and pledge further support for developing countries at other important multilateral moments in 2023. These include the G20 Summits, the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, the UN Climate Ambition Summit, the International Climate and Energy Summit and COP 28.” G7 still not supporting phase out of all fossil fuels The G7 comments on energy seemed to be mainly driven by short-term national energy security concerns, rather than the global need to phase out the use of fossil fuels as the main way to address the climate crisis. WWF’s Global Energy Lead, Dean Cooper said the insistence of Germany to increase the use of LNG, and Japan’s refusal to end the use of coal, reflects a very short-sighted view of the climate disaster that is currently facing our world. “We simply don’t have time for more caveats and exceptions,” Cooper said. “The need for a faster, greener, and fairer energy transition for all is not reflected in this disappointing output. The G7 nations must rather all work together with full commitment to effective action, providing clear direction towards the clean energy future that the world so desperately needs.” Recognition of energy efficiency as a key tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the G7 marks a significant advancement, though this will need to be supported soon by binding targets for all nations. Similarly, the acknowledgement of the link between climate, energy, and nature is also an important step forward, but again the type of supportive activity and resources needs to be more clearly defined, he said. G7 countries must support science based targets for global shipping The G7 committed to strengthen efforts to decarbonize the global shipping sector, which is responsible for 3% of global emissions. This is an important step, especially as crucial decisions will be taken at the International Maritime Organization’s July meeting of the committee negotiating to cut emissions from ships. While this is a welcome commitment, WWF Global Climate and Business Lead, Bhavna Prasad, argues that, “The countries with the world’s biggest economies must be doing more. All G7 members must support science-based targets for 2030 and 2040, along with achieving net-zero emissions before 2050. In addition, they should be supporting a goal of 10% of production and use of Scalable Zero-Emission Fuel by 2030.” Missed opportunity on loss and damage The G7 missed an opportunity to set the pace for other countries to follow on a number of issues, but specifically on support to vulnerable developing countries. WWF Senior Advisor, Global Climate Adaptation Policy, Sandeep Chamling Rai, said they “failed in their responsibility to address the climate crisis that has been fuelled substantially by the emissions from G7 nations. We needed tangible commitments on loss and damage finance and debt cancellation, and we didn’t see that.”

The latest climate report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) offers a message of hope, a warning and a challenge - and businesses have a crucial role to play in changing the course of our planet’s future. The IPCC’s reports are written and reviewed by thousands of scientists and experts from around the world, providing an authoritative assessment of the scientific evidence on climate change. They are important indicators for businesses as they influence the UN climate talks and the policies, plans and climate targets of many countries, and generally shape the global trajectory of action on the climate crisis. These reports gather considerable media attention, which helps raise awareness and shape public opinion, and they have informed many of the standards businesses rely on today, including the Science Based Targets initiative’s guidance. The latest report shows that greenhouse gas emissions have climbed to their highest levels in human history. We are not doing enough to respond to this crisis and limit warming to 1.5°C (the threshold to avoid the most catastrophic impacts for people and nature). However, it also shows that we already have solutions, in every sector, to halve emissions by 2030, in line with a 1.5°C pathway. The following are just a few of the key takeaways for businesses: Climate risks are increasing Climate impacts and extreme weather events like floods, storms, droughts are a growing threat to supply chains and business continuity. If businesses do not see this risk now and change course, it will not only disrupt, but wipe out many of their operations. The IPCC shows that limiting warming to 1.5°C will substantially reduce the risks of climate change for people, nature and economy, as well as the scale of losses and damages. Further global warming will increase the frequency and severity of climate hazards, and warming beyond 1.5°C will cross the limits for many vulnerable communities and ecosystems to adapt. Action this decade is crucial, and businesses can be a game changer If we are to meet the emission reduction targets set out in this report - 43% by 2030, 60% by 2035 and 69% by 2040 (from 2019 levels) - we need all parts of society to act immediately. Businesses can help ensure this change is delivered at the pace and scale necessary, as they operate in the sectors that desperately need transformation, including energy, industry, agriculture and land-use, buildings and transport. They can invest in the solutions and innovations that can cut emissions and unleash business ingenuity at every level with their customers, investors and employees. Conditions for corporate climate action are the best they’ve ever been The business case for climate action has never been so good. The costs of solutions such as solar and wind energy and batteries have decreased by up to 85% over the last decade, often making them a cleaner and cheaper alternative to fossil fuels. Energy efficiency and reducing demand can help reduce both costs and emissions. There is also increasing proof that change is possible - around 20 countries have already shown that they can reduce emissions for longer than a decade. The economic cost from climate impacts outweighs the costs of climate action. Nature is an important ally We can’t hope to limit warming to 1.5°C, adapt to climate change and save lives and livelihoods, unless we also act urgently to safeguard and restore nature. The IPCC shows that the planet’s oceans, plants and animals have absorbed 54% of man-made carbon dioxide emissions in the past decade, saving us from even more severe levels of warming. But we’re losing this important ally. Corporate action on climate and nature can and should be integrated - businesses don’t need to choose one or the other. Companies and financial institutions can assess impacts and dependencies on nature using tools like WWF’s Biodiversity Guide for Businesses, and then commit to action and join the Science Based Targets Network, which is helping companies develop and set targets for nature. What businesses must do next: Account for and disclose emissions consistently and transparently according to best available practices and against all commitments. Learn more about emission reporting. Set climate targets in line with 1.5°C according to the Science Based Targets initiative’s near-term and Net-Zero criteria. Deliver on these targets by reducing value chain emissions (scope 1-3) in line with a 1.5°C trajectory. Learn more in WWF’s Corporate Blueprint and Beyond Net-Zero Blueprint. Engage and advocate for robust climate policies that drive action for a 1.5°C future. Want to learn more? Watch our briefing for businesses on the IPCC report:

As the world scrambles to address the climate challenge, 2023 is hopefully the year when global climate ambition gets real and realistic. A series of high level political meetings scheduled for this year will provide an opportunity for world leaders to establish a high benchmark for the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, a check-point on how we are doing. All indications until now are that we are nowhere near where we need to be in terms of reducing global emissions to hold global warming to 1.5°C. That is the global surface temperature at which we can still avoid the worst impacts of climate change, say scientists. The annual Petersberg Climate Dialogue, happening this week, is one such event where leaders are discussing how to accelerate lagging climate action.WWF has written to co-host German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with some ideas. In the letter, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, WWF’s Global Climate and Energy Lead, and himself a former Minister of Environment for Peru and COP20 President, underscores the need for a global ‘course correction’ on climate ambition. ‘There are three key areas which, I believe, should be foundation stones for a course correction on climate ambition. They are phasing-out fossil fuels and accelerating decarbonization of the energy system; finance for climate action, specifically funding for Loss and Damage, and finally, ensuring the next round of national climate plans (NDCs or Nationally Determined Contributions) due in 2025 must include revised targets - for 2030 and new targets and 2035 - and these must be aligned with equitably limiting warming to 1.5˚C and building resilience.’ Phasing out fossil fuels cannot be delayed Pulgar-Vidal says since 2021 when the Glasgow Climate Pact was agreed at COP26, the days of fossil fuels have been numbered. ‘Parties agreed that year to ‘accelerate efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power, and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.’ At COP27 held last year, a coalition of 80 countries proposed a joint declaration to call for the phase-out of fossil fuels. That proposal was ultimately not accepted, but the clamour to pick this up again for COP28 has just grown louder and stronger, he notes. ‘We believe that decisions at COPs should build on past ones in terms of ambition, so we expect a reference to phase out all fossil fuels in the decisions this year to respond to the science and keep 1.5˚C within reach. ‘Equally important, but not a substitute for a strong political signal on phasing out fossil fuels, will be establishing a target for renewable energy, as well as targets for energy access and energy efficiency,’ he says. Both the UNFCCC Mitigation Work Programme, with a focus on solutions and implementation, and the future Just Transition Work Programme, with a focus on social aspects, governance, participation and equity, could support achieving the energy-related outcomes that will move the needle on the climate crisis, says Pulgar-Vidal. Finance for climate action Finance remains the key enabler of all climate action, especially for those countries most impacted by climate change. So whatever actions are decided, they are worthless without funding attached, says Pulgar-Vidal. ‘In this context, the decision at COP27 to establish a process for discussing Loss and Damage funding arrangements is indeed progress. But we need substantial funding. Such an act of solidarity with the most vulnerable will be perceived by developing countries as a signal of good will that can unlock much needed progress in other agendas.’ National climate plans must align to the 1.5˚C goal The completion of the technical and political phases of the Global Stocktake this year must set the stage for a response from Parties and non-state actors that achieves a course correction, says Pulgar-Vidal. ‘It must also include a roadmap with a new round of NDCs by 2025, with revised targets for 2030 and new targets and 2035 aligned with equitably limiting warming to 1.5˚C. Building resilience and having concrete actions and plans to achieve those targets, provision of support will be essential inclusions in those plans. Finally, NDCs must reflect the convergence between the climate, nature and development agendas if we are to truly tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, he says.

The latest science on the state of our climate has been laid out in a powerful new report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The Sixth Assessment Report shows how climate change is altering our planet and highlights the many solutions that governments, businesses, cities and individuals can, and must, take to tackle it. These are the report’s key findings: Our climate system is in code red status The science is super clear: our climate system is in crisis, and it’s because of our actions. Climate change is driven by human activities; primarily burning polluting fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and destroying nature. The last time CO2 levels in our atmosphere were this high was over two million years ago. We’ve already warmed the planet by 1.1°C since pre-industrial times, and this is causing dangerous disruption in nature and impacts on people across the world. And we’re not slowing down. Global greenhouse gas emissions between 2010 and 2019 were higher than any previous decade in human history. Limiting warming to 1.5°C is crucial and we’re way off track 1.5°C is an important number when it comes to our climate. That’s because impacts beyond 1.5°C of warming would get even worse. There would be more frequent and stronger extreme weather events and it would be harder - in some cases impossible - for people and nature to adapt, especially as some changes (like species extinction) are irreversible. Governments across the world agreed to try to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in the Paris Agreement to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and secure a livable future. The latest science shows that we have to cut emissions much more, and much faster - we need to reduce them by 43% by 2030 (just seven years away!) to limit warming to 1.5°C. We can adapt and be more resilient, but there are limits Our planet and its people are resilient - but some of the impacts are simply hitting too quickly and too forcefully to adapt in time. The longer we delay taking action, the fewer options we have. This is crucial because according to the IPCC, around 3.6 billion people live in contexts that are highly vulnerable to climate change. The climate crisis is a daily reality for so many people. Since 2008, over 20 million people per year have been internally displaced by weather-related extreme events. While communities, governments and businesses around the world are working on solutions to adapt to our warming world, progress is still uneven and insufficient. We already have all the solutions we need There is some really great news in the report too: we already have affordable solutions to limit warming to 1.5°C. Around 20 countries are living proof that it’s possible to reduce emissions, and clean energy is cheaper than ever before - in the last decade, the cost of solar energy and lithium-ion batteries (used for energy storage) decreased by a massive 85%, while wind energy costs dropped by 55%. There has been exponential growth too - like with the roll-out of electric vehicles, which has increased 100 fold. The best thing about all these solutions? They can also benefit lives, livelihoods and nature, allowing us to build our societies and economies in a more sustainable way. We have to quit fossil fuels It’s also clear that while we move towards solutions like renewables, we also have to phase out the polluting energy sources (coal, oil and gas) that are the biggest cause of the climate crisis. We simply can’t keep warming to 1.5°C without changing our energy system - the IPCC confirms that emissions from existing fossil fuel infrastructure alone would blow through our remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C. Nature is our ally The science shows how incredible nature is - it has slowed global warming and helped protect us from more severe impacts of a warming world. The world’s oceans, plants, animals and soils have absorbed 54% of humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions of the past 10 years. Nature is a non-negotiable part of the solution to the climate crisis.

In a remote wildlife park, on Bhutan’s border with India, life has just got a little better for the roughly 50 rangers responsible for monitoring and protecting its populations of forest elephants, spotted deer and Bengal tiger. The installation of a 10kW solar array at the Phibsoo base camp will make power available throughout the day and into the evening, providing lighting, fans to offer relief from the tropical heat, and a huge reduction in the need for expensive diesel to fuel its generator. The installation was undertaken by Bhutan’s Department of Forests and Park Service through the ‘Bhutan for Life’ project, and with support from WWF’s Upfront project, which has installed solar systems at more than 40 WWF offices and national park stations around the world. “They now have electricity from six in the morning until they shut down the system when they go to bed,” says Jean-Philippe Denruyter, WWF Upfront project manager, and who helped tender the project, find a local supplier and install the system together with Department of Renewable Energy. “It’s a pleasure to provide these eco-guards, who don’t have an easy life, with some comfort.” Ecoguards in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhutan, with the solar installation that supplies their electricity. Image credit: Department of Forests and Park Services, Bhutan. Leading by example But the WWF Upfront programme has wider objectives. It was launched in 2016 to enable WWF’s operations around the world “to lead by example,” Denruyer says. “We’d been telling everyone that we need to shift to renewable energy, but our offices were at best using grid electricity, while our facilities in national parks often depended on big diesel generators.” Since its launch, WWF Upfront has installed solar systems from Viet Nam to Switzerland and Peru. Those installations are typically preceded by a programme of awareness-raising on energy use and efficiency. “We can easily reduce energy consumption by 25% with simple behaviour change, and by visualising energy use,” he says. He gives the example of a meeting on energy efficiency in an office in Latin America. The smart meter was showing consumption of 20kW on the projector because everyone in the building had left their air conditioning on, despite sitting in the meeting room. The meeting room emptied as they returned to their offices to turn off the A/C. “By the time everyone came back, they’d saved 80% of their consumption at that moment … I don’t think anyone who was there has forgotten that you should switch off your air conditioner when you go to a meeting.” Building local markets The next stage is to install solar systems. Denruyter works with local suppliers and installers to help build local capacity, as well as to gain a flavour of local challenges. These can include sourcing equipment – a challenge made greater by ongoing disruptions to solar supply chains caused by the COVID pandemic. This disruption has pushed up prices and played havoc with delivery schedules, Denruyter says. “Sometimes it can take six months to get the equipment, and that makes it more difficult to plan. That’s what happened in Zambia: I had to troubleshoot the installation remotely as I couldn’t be there when the equipment turned up.” In addition, projects can face economic barriers erected by local regulation. For example, in many countries, small-scale renewable energy systems are not permitted to export surplus power – such as that produced outside of office hours, for example – to the grid. Also, some countries heavily subsidise their electricity markets. Both of these elements can make installing solar systems less economically attractive. This does not deter Denruyter. “The economic aspect doesn’t affect our decision to proceed. These often serve as demonstration projects.” He cites the Bhutan project, where it has spurred interest from other government agencies. QEnergy helped WWF Peru to install solar on their roof. Here, Luis and Jean-Philippe are installing the inverter. Image credit: WWF Peru Regulations under review WWF’s work has also helped prompt regulatory change, Denruyter adds, citing Madagascar, where the law has been changed to enable solar projects to sell power into the grid. That process is also underway in Bhutan, he adds. Although Denruyter insists on working with local experts, existing capacity in many countries remains limited. In response, WWF is partnering with Solar Energy International, a Colorado-based non-profit which offers solar training around the world. “The idea is to develop training courses that are adapted for local people,” with plans to offer training initially in Cambodia followed by Bhutan. Funding remains a perennial challenge, Denruyter notes. “We have a pipeline of projects” ready to go once funding can be found, he says, adding that he is keen to hire an Africa-based engineer to help him manage strong demand from the continent. Denruyter says WWF’s work with its local offices on energy efficiency and solar can help to show the concrete impacts of the organisation’s work on climate and energy. “The work we do on climate and energy policy is hugely important, but it’s nice for our people working in an office in Madagascar or Paris to have something tangible on their roof and to see that solar energy produced. It’s important for their wellness and their motivation,” he says. As of 2022, there are 44 solar installations in countries including Viet Nam, Laos, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Zambia, Madagascar, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Guyana, Kenya, Poland.

The latest science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that Earth’s natural systems play a central role in regulating the climate – and in protecting us from the worst consequences of our actions. The world’s oceans, plants, animals and soils have absorbed 54% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions of the past 10 years. Critical ecosystems, such as wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs, help to shield us from the worsening hazards of extreme weather and sea-level rise. But these natural systems are under threat and have their own limits, and the continued destrution of nature has huge consequences for us all. Our societies, culture and our economy are fundamentally dependent upon nature – for food and water security, for air quality, for protection against disease, for energy, the list goes on. Many Indigenous Peoples and local communities depend directly on ecosystems for their survival. Our report - Climate’s Secret Ally: Uncovering the story of nature in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report - draws upon the IPCC’s work to highlight the interlinked emergencies of human-induced climate change and biodiversity loss, threatening the well-being of current and future generations and to make the case for better integrating nature into our response to the climate crisis. It is clear that, without harnessing the ability of nature to store carbon and help regulate the climate, it will be impossible to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and avoid the worst risks of climate change. And without the protections healthy nature provides from climate hazards, more people will be at greater risk.

(26 October 2022) - Responding to the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2022 report, published today, Dean Cooper, WWF Global Energy Lead, said:“It is welcome to see that the demand for fossil fuels is declining, but it is still not fast enough. At the current rate of change, temperatures will still rise by at least 2.5°C by 2100, which would be catastrophic for people and the planet. The burning of coal, oil and gas must be rapidly phased-out if we are to have a world worth leaving to our children and grandchildren. “A key trend identified by the report, that where renewable energy policies are being enacted, they are creating huge opportunities for growth and jobs, is great news. But even these current commitments are insufficient to see the structural change to key sectors of the economy that is needed. In the current cost of living crisis, this is key to reducing energy bills and demand for energy. “The economic opportunities provided by a transition to clean energy will also only be realised if we have a just and equitable energy transformation worldwide, with support of all communities affected. We must see a massive increase in investment. And the speed of change has to significantly accelerate, with exponential and transformational progress rather than incremental steps. “COP27 must be the place where developed economies continue showing the importance they attach to these energy issues. They must agree to a Mitigation Work Programme that leverages the energy decision from Glasgow to spur a fossil fuel phase-out (coal, oil and gas), and the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology worldwide. “We cannot afford to miss turning the unprecedented energy crisis into an opportunity for a comprehensive transformation of the global energy system. Our climate needs this and our planet needs it.” Contact: Robin Harvey, Media Relations Manager, WWF International rharvey@wwfint.org WWF International newsdesk: news@wwfint.org Editor’s notes: WWF COP27 Expectations paper is available to read here.

If left to continue at current rates, biodiversity loss could cost the global economy $2.7 trillion annually by 2030. Reversing this trend will hinge on quick and decisive action by the global financial community, which is uniquely placed to incentivise better market behaviour: money motivates. This 50-minute digital dialogue, in partnership with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), brought financial regulators, supervisors, central banks, scientists, NGOs and policymakers together to discuss the mobilisation of mainstream finance in support of the transition to a sustainable global economy. Discussion focused on the preventative and preemptive actions central banks and supervisors can take now, the importance of addressing climate change and nature loss simultaneously, and the financial instruments that will incentivise swift and systemic change. Your browser does not support the video tag.