United Nations

United Nations Taking First Steps Toward the New Urban Agenda

Some of the big work left undone by the Habitat III summit in finalizing the New Urban Agenda in December is now moving forward. The future of the New Urban Agenda and UN-Habitat can now start to take shape.

April 26, 2017 - Citiscope

Barcelona Train

Sustainable Transport Enables Tremendous Opportunities

A new United Nations Secretary-General's High-level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport identifies policies that can result in inclusive and equitable growth, social development, protection of the global environment and ecosystems.

November 5, 2016 - Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform

Joan Clos

'The World's Urban Planner': UN-Habitat's Joan Clos

The phrase "everything on the street" captures UN-Habitat head Joan Clos's approach to urbanization. In the wake of Habitat III, who is the man behind the conference's "New Urban Agenda"?

October 26, 2016 - Citiscope

Global Agreement Reached to Limit 'Super Greenhouse Gas Emissions'

An historic agreement reached by 170 global leaders in Kigali, Rwanda on October 15 to limit hydrofluorocarbons could have more of an impact on reducing climate change than the carbon emission agreement reached in Paris ten days earlier.

October 17, 2016 - The New York Times

Leonardo DiCaprio

Why the Disconnect on Climate Change and Urban Density?

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is also a committed climate change activist. His documentary on the topic airs Oct. 30 on the National Geographic channel. At the U.N., he asked leaders to take bold action. Yet, as an Angeleno, he opposes increased density.

October 17, 2016 - Curbed LA

Mexico City Street Art

Mexico to Pilot Carbon Pricing

The year-long program will begin in November, laying a foundation for a national carbon market.

September 14, 2016 - CleanTechnica

Vancouver Skyline

World Cities Report 2016 Released by UN-Habitat

The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has published a flagship report intended to inform preparation of the New Urban Agenda at the Habitat III meetings in Quito in October.

May 19, 2016 - Bruce Stiftel

Bhaji Bazaar

Op-Ed: Habitat III Should Consider Food Systems

The UN's Habitat III conference will be held in October of this year. Thomas Forster argues that urban areas are being considered in isolation, without enough attention to rural areas and food systems.

April 29, 2016 - Citiscope

Paris Climate Agreement Signed, but Troubles Loom in the U.S.

On Earth Day, NPR looked at the intersection of the Paris Climate Agreement, which Secretary of State John Kerry signed at the U.N. on Friday, and President Obama's Clean Power Plan which has been given a pause by the Supreme Court.

April 23, 2016 - NPR

Refugees Welcome

6 Ways Local Governments Can Prepare For the Arrival of New Migrants

At the UN’s Habitat III conference taking place this fall in Quito, Ecuador, the role of cities in addressing the movement of migrants will be a primary topic of discussion.

January 19, 2016 - Citiscope

Downtown Detroit

Detroit First U.S. City Awarded U.N's 'City of Design' Status

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recognized the singularity of Detroit, dubbing the motor city the country's first "City of Design."

December 23, 2015 - Crain's Detroit Business

United Nations and World Bank Unite for Sustainable Urban Development

The United Nations agency for urban development, UN-Habitat, has announced a partnership with the World Bank to implement several Sustainable Development Goals focusing on urban sustainability, safety, inclusiveness, and resilience.

October 13, 2015 - United Nations-Habitat

United Nations Agreement Takes Action Against Deforestation

In a mover that came to a surprise to United Nations observers, the international body reached agreement on the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, or REDD+, initiative.

June 15, 2015 - Grist

Crowd

Whatever Happened to the Population Bomb?

Biology Professor Paul Ehrlich's 1968 book, "The Population Bomb," took America and the world by storm. The apocalyptic vision based of population outgrowing its resources appeared to make inherent sense.

June 3, 2015 - The New York Times - Retro Report

Earth at Night

UN-Habitat Adopts International Guidelines for Urban and Territorial Planning

UN-Habitat has adopted International Guidelines for Urban and Territorial Planning intended to inform the United Nation's New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.

May 1, 2015 - Bruce Stiftel

Making a Place for Cities in International Climate Change Negotiations

Secretary of State John Kerry recently began a two-year term as the chair of the Acrtic Council. He used the occasion to make a call for a stronger role for cities in international efforts to fight climate change.

April 26, 2015 - The Washington Post

United Nations: Hoboken a Role Model for Resilience

The United Nations is looking for cities to model best practices in resilience planning. Look no further than Hoboken, New Jersey.

March 6, 2015 - Next City

International Climate Accord Reached in Lima

Known as the Lima Accord, after the capital of Peru where representatives from 200 nations met for two weeks, a deal was reached to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in preparation for talks to be held in Paris in December. But is it strong enough?

December 16, 2014 - The New York Times

Gov. Jerry Brown Touts California's Success at U.N. Climate Summit

Leonardo DiCaprio may have received top billing, but Jerry Brown spoke as well on the actions of the Golden State to combat climate change under his watch. Two days earlier, he signed six bills to increase sales of electric vehicles.

September 26, 2014 - Sacramento Bee

Studies: 2013 Worldwide Carbon Emissions Higher than Ever

World leaders gathering today in New York City for a United Nations climate summit will be greeted by the news that the world is doing worse than ever in reducing carbon emissions.

September 23, 2014 - The Hill

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