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 ...

Numerous environmental, social, and economic development challenges are covered under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and green building plays a key role of in achieving the UN’s SDGs.  Overcoming barriers and the adoption of solutions and methods to integrate non-renewable and renewable resources is a promisi ...

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 ...

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 ...

A better understanding of the complexity, size, design, and effects of subsidies and externalities of economic sectors contributing to environmental degradation could facilitate and expedite discussions to strengthen the implementation of multilateral agreements.  This is an essential aspect of the global economic syst ...

Construction and real estate have been central to the debates on sustainable development.  Where the dominant definition of sustainability in the built environment focuses on the environmental dimension, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer opportunities for the building sector to expand its focus.  Green ...