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Emissions are still climbing. In 2024, global greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.3%, reaching 57.7 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent — a faster rate of growth than in 2023 and more than four times the annual average of the 2010s.
CARBON REDUCTION

Off target: Unep warns that the world is still falling short of the Paris climate goals

A decade after the Paris Agreement united countries behind the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, the latest Emissions Gap report from the United Nations…

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
COP29 should have been a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change but instead it was a failure. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
COP29

To be effective, host COP in least developed countries and small island developing states

Doing so draws private and public funding, raises awareness locally about climate justice and inspires people and businesses in the country to adopt more sustainable ways of…

  • Thabo Sibeko and community activists from Gauteng, Limpopo and Eastern Cape
3 min read
Measuring a country’s capacity to achieve its NDC targets is crucial, because it provides the foundation for improving capacity development, enhancing knowledge and optimising financial flows.
CLIMATE CHANGE

Scorecard will help governments meet nationally determined contributions to cut carbon emissions

To achieve these targets, synergy across government departments, institutions and business is required to drive climate action

  • Henry Roman
4 min read
SU adheres to its Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP), approved in 2022. The objective is to ensure that SU achieves carbon neutrality on its campuses by 2030 and net zero by 2050. (Credit: Stefan Els)
ARTICLE

Stellenbosch University: empowering green champions

Stellenbosch University (SU) is on a mission to empower each member of its community to become an agent of change

  • Stellenbosch University
4 min read
The promise of $300 billion by 2035 is not only insufficient; it’s a betrayal of the principles of climate justice. (Guillem Sartorio/Getty Images)
AFRICA

COP29: $300 billion will trap Africa in debt and delay just transitions

The qualified goal offers an illusion of progress while failing to meet the continent’s urgent climate and energy needs

  • Karabo Mokgonyana
3 min read
Cop29 conference participants are reflected in a puddle as they arrive on day nine at the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference on November 20, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
CARBON EMISSIONS

How much does public transport save on carbon emissions? We worked it out at COP29

Bhekisisa had a team of four reporters at the climate conference. On average, our journalists walked eight to nine kilometres a day

  • Linda Pretorius
  • Mia Malan
7 min read
Sport and climate change speakers at COP29.
ATHLETES FOR CLIMATE ACTION

Sporting world needs to play its part in mitigating climate change, COP29 hears

Athletes have not been spared the impact of climate change, with high temperatures, pollution, weather events and dirty water affecting performance

  • Ozayr Patel
4 min read
South African healthcare workers say the country’s regulations stop them from finding alternative, more climate-friendly ways of running hospitals and dealing with waste. (Canva)
ALLIANCE FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION

Waste, food and power: How hospitals fuel climate change

Almost 5% of the world’s carbon emissions come from the healthcare sector. Rethinking how hospitals run can get this down. But healthcare workers say regulations stop them from…

  • Zano Kunene
  • Sipokazi Fokazi
5 min read
(UN Climate Change / Kiara Worth)
CARBON REDUCTION GOALS

The second week of COP29 needs to reach funding commitments

There is an air of impatience as talks on finance hit a stalemate

  • Ozayr Patel
4 min read
Activists demand climate change loss and damage financing at the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference on November 14, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
ADAPTATION FINANCE COP29

Will COP29 deliver for Africa as Trump looms over climate finance talks?

African nations are seeking $1.3 trillion in climate funds as fears grow over Trump’s potential impact on global climate finance commitments

  • Editorial
2 min read
US Pesident Donald Trump. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT

Trump’s return to power sparks uncertainty over US climate commitments

South Africa and other developing nations are pushing for a $1 trillion climate finance target

  • Mandisa Makgakga
6 min read
COP29 took a step forward to elevate the voices of indigenous peoples and local communities in climate action, adopting the Baku Workplan and renewing the mandate of the Facilitative Working Group (FWG) of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform. (Photo by Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
BAKU

COP29: Useless talkfest or powerful driver of change?

Promises made at the climate conference need to be turned into effective action that can drive transformation

  • Karabo Mokgonyana
6 min read
AZERBAIJAN

COP29: Sungrow’s key role in driving clean energy transition in Azerbaijan and beyond

Azerbaijan’s commitment to diversifying its economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions mirrors similar aspirations in Africa

  • Partner Content
3 min read
BAKU

Nominations are open for M&G Greening the Future awards

The awards celebrate people, projects and organisations that champion environmental concerns

  • Umamah Bakharia
1 min read
CHINA

US and China seek common ground to tackle the climate crisis

There is cautious optimism that their collaboration will pave the way for a more sustainable future, offering real hope for the planet we all share

  • Imran Khalid
4 min read