The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The HLPF brings together ministerial and high-level representatives of governments, as wel ...

“I’m at a total loss for words at how dramatically the rejection of knowledge, hostility toward science – and censorship – have escalated.  […] But one thing that has already shocked me is this: a hurricane is such an immediate and tangible threat – there should be no ideological debate about it.  [… ...

Anti-ESG proposals flooded U.S. corporate annual meeting agendas in 2024 by shareholder proponents who do not support limiting corporate environmental impacts, promoting diversity, or providing investors with more ESG disclosure, filing more than 100 shareholder proposals as of June 30, 2024.  Support averaged only 1.9 ...

Research consistently demonstrates the long-term benefits of inclusive policy-making and sustained diversity and inclusion programs, making inclusion a strategic imperative that promotes sustainable growth and resilience in the face of global risks and challenges.  Anchoring diversity and inclusion in the business worl ...

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are different but complementary concepts.  Diversity focuses on the representation of different groups in the organization.  Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and needs.  Inclusion is about involving individuals and groups with their unique personal cha ...

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Southeast Asian countries have been engaging more visibly and actively in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) dialogue than the millennium development goals domain.  However, ASEAN has not been observed championing Agenda 2030 and retaining the SDGs on the glo ...

Six out of nine planetary boundaries have already been breached with the seventh is about to be breached, too.  Despite global promises, crucial policies fall short, which causes alarm amongst scientist.  Carbon emissions are on the rise, natural feedback loops spiral downwards, and essential biodiversity targets remai ...

The 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Report highlighted that nearly half the 17 targets are showing minimal or moderate progress, while over a one-third are stalled or going in reverse, since they were adopted by UN Member States back in 2015 to bring peace and prosperity for people and the planet.  “This report is k ...

The U.S. under the Trump administration stated that it “rejects and denounces” the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the key global goals adopted by nations unanimously in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aimed at tackling global environmental and social challenges.  Th ...

The Trump administration has launched an unfounded assault on science and initiatives, on research institutions and international organizations and on academic freedom and people’s rights.  It is firing employees from national agencies in key disciplines that protect public health, the environment and people’s safety a ...

Buildings are responsible for around 40% of energy and process-related global CO₂ emissions, 50% of all materials used, 33% of water consumption and 35% of waste.  Other environmental impacts include resource depletion, pollution of air, water and soil, and biodiversity loss.  By 2050, the global population is expected ...

SDG 8 is the UN Sustainable Development Goal that recognizes the importance of sustained economic growth and high levels of economic productivity for creating well-paid quality jobs and achieving global prosperity for everyone.  It promotes full and productive employment and decent work for everyone while eradicating f ...

A trade war occurs when countries impose tariffs or other barriers on each other’s goods, which can lead to a global conflict that unsettles global trade relations.  When major players like the United States, the European Union, and China engage in trade disputes, entire sectors that depend on global collaboration and ...

Globally, fossil fuel subsidies were $7 trillion in 2022 or 7.1% of GDP.  Explicit subsidies – the undercharging for supply costs – have more than doubled since 2020.  This equals 18% of the total subsidy, while nearly 60% is due to undercharging for global warming and local air pollution.  Differences between efficien ...

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) is the most important instrument for planning and implementation of the UN development activities at country level.  The Cooperation Framework is an agreement between the UN and the host government that must a) clearly articulate the United Natio ...