"At a time when multilateralism is under severe strain, the Montreal Protocol to help protect the ozone layer stands out as a powerful symbol of hope. It is a reminder that when countries show political resolve for the common good, change is possible." — António Guterres
"Investing in clean air saves lives, combats climate change, strengthens economies, builds fairer societies, and advances the Sustainable Development Goals." — António Guterres
"Today and every day, the world must stand behind the rights of Indigenous Peoples to chart their own futures." — António Guterres
"The security, prosperity and health of billions of people rely on thriving lands supporting lives, livelihoods and ecosystems." — António Guterres
Around 50 school pupils took over the Vienna International Centre (VIC) on World Environment Day to lay out how they would like their city to look in the future.
"The theme of this year’s World Environment Day is “land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience." — António Guterres
There was an inspiring and motivating atmosphere within the premises of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna when high school students from the HTL Spengergasse, a school for higher technical education, came to the UN in Vienna to play an interactive board game called “World Climate Game”. While playing the participants had the unique opportunity to understand the global consequences of climate change and explore various courses of action at different levels.
"Repairing relations with Mother Earth is the mother of all of humanity's challenges. We must act – and act now – to create a better future for us all." — António Guterres
"Our climate is collapsing. The signs have never been clearer." — António Guterres
"On Earth Hour, millions of people around the world switch off the lights to shine a light on the plight of our planet. This year, I invite you to be one of them." — António Guterres
"A fair, just, equitable, and urgent transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy is essential to avoid the worst of climate chaos and spur sustainable development." — António Guterres
During a two-day Model United Nations simulation conference, students from various universities across Austria came together at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) to discuss different aspects of environmental migration to find common ground and come up with solutions.
A large number of young people took part in the UN Climate Change conference in Dubai – COP28 – among them two youth delegates, Pavol Beblavý from Slovakia and Rok Dolenc from Slovenia. They shared their experience of being at COP28 with us.
Addressing crimes that affect the environment is key to mitigating and adapting to climate change, highlighted the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at the start of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP 28).
Over the last couple of years inflation has caused a cost-of-living crisis across large parts of the world. Some fearmongeres have used the hardship this has caused billions of people to propagate rhetoric that climate change action is unaffordable and running against the interests of ordinary people. Nothing could be further from the truth.
From 30 November to 12 December 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will take part in the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"Air pollution is a global emergency. Ninety-nine per cent of humanity breathes air laced with soot, sulphur and other toxic chemicals, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures." — António Guterres
"The ocean is the foundation of life. It supplies the air we breathe and food we eat. It regulates our climate and weather. The ocean is our planet’s greatest reservoir of biodiversity. Its resources sustain communities, prosperity and human health around the world. Humanity counts on the ocean. But can the ocean count on us?" — António Guterres
"This World Environment Day is a call to beat plastic pollution.
Every year, over 400 million tons of plastic is produced worldwide – one third of which is used just once." — António Guterres
The planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature as a result of human activity. It is experiencing its largest loss of life since the dinosaurs. One million plant and animal species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades.
