A UNEP-led cold chain project in Kenya, has helped farmers reduce post-harvest losses by up to 40%, showcasing the vital role of temperature-controlled storage in improving food security.

Young Champions of the Earth honors young environmental innovators globally, supported by Chris Kemper and Planet A since 2024.

Car exhaust. Factory smoke. Wildfire haze. Chances are, no matter where on Earth you live, you’re exposed to some form of air pollution almost every day.  Air pollution remains a widespread and critical public health concern, responsible for an estimated 8.1 million premature deaths in 2021. The recent International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies emphasized solutions, focusing on the theme "Racing for Air," which highlights the urgent need to combat this global emergency. Sports associations are increasingly supporting clean air initiatives. Steven Stone, Deputy Director of UNEP, stated that just as athletes need clean air to thrive, so does everyone else, as it supports healthy individuals, resilient communities, and a healthier planet.

There are over 100 million lakes across the globe, but many are undergoing dramatic changes. Climate change, pollution, and excessive water use are causing lakes to shrink, overflow, or even change color. According to Dianna Kopansky of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), some of the world’s most iconic lakes have deteriorated significantly in recent decades. She warns that reversing this trend is essential, as countless people depend on lakes for their survival. In honor of the first World Lake Day, here’s a closer look at the biggest threats to the world’s lakes – and what can be done about them. 

The global textile sector is massive, but so is its environmental impact. The current "take, make, and dispose" model needs a revolution. InTex, a programme by the UN Environment Programme and funded by the European Commission and Denmark, is working to transform the industry into a sustainable, circular model through better data. By shifting to circular business models, and reducing carbon footprints across Africa and Asia, it has the potential to generate $700 billion by 2030. Find out more at UNEP InTex.

Fifty years after Jaws, UN Ocean Patron Lewis Pugh is swimming 96km around Martha’s Vineyard to shift perceptions and highlight the real threat sharks face, mass killing by humans, not the other way around.

From AI to ecosystems, intelligence surrounds us but solving plastic pollution requires action, not just innovation, as we observe World Environment Day.

“I love the river because I was born here. I want to take care of it even in small ways,” says Bakri, a 43-year-old river ranger volunteer in Depok City, Indonesia. He owns a small store along the riverbank, and his home borders Depok and Bogor, an area supported by the Ciliwung River, which flows over 100 kilometers to the Java Sea and serves over 3.8 million people. The Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project aims to strengthen local governance for sustainable management of the Ciliwung River Basin, enhancing community engagement, especially among women and vulnerable groups. Financed by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, the project focuses on reducing pollution and adapting to climate change in six countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Jordanian designer Batoul Al-Rashdan transforms food waste into biodegradable fashion, challenging fashion’s wasteful practices on International Day of Zero Waste, and promoting sustainability and innovation.

Glacier grafting in Gilgit-Baltistan transplants ice to shaded valleys, creating glaciers that sustainably store and release water, combating climate change.

The Mesoamerican Reef, spanning 1,000 km across four countries, is under threat from climate change and pollution, prompting initiatives like MAR+Invest, which supports local businesses and conservation efforts to preserve this vital ecosystem.

With a looming planetary crisis, experts stress the need for more women in science. UNEP’s Susan Gardner discusses the importance of gender equality in environmental solutions.

The revival of Chile’s Cahuil Lagoon showcases sustainable conservation’s success, as wetlands globally decline by 85% since 1700s, threatening ecosystems due to climate change and urbanization.

To curb nitrous oxide emissions, we need to reduce synthetic fertilizer use, adopt more sustainable farming practices, and invest in better nitrogen management technologies.

Saint Kitts and Nevis launches drought forecasting system to help farmers adapt to climate change and ensure food security.