A new era of Earth observation (EO) – satellite-based monitoring of the planet – is transforming how we measure and manage environmental risk. But as the view from space grows sharper, so too does the imperative to turn intelligence into action
Feature posts
SDG Action was launched in 2021 to support the UN’s Decade of Action. Its aim is to encourage cross-sector dialogue and problem solving to accelerate the transition to sustainability.
Can AI be a gamechanger to reduce casualties from natural disasters?
Historically, natural disasters have taken a far heavier toll in poorer nations than in richer ones. Can advances in artificial intelligence help close that gap – providing earlier warnings and faster, more effective responses?
Valuing the whole system: a new approach to ocean climate action
Coastal ecosystems play a vital role in stabilizing the climate, yet global policy still values them mainly for their ability to absorb and store carbon. As COP30 unfolds, a new approach argues for recognizing the ocean as a living system – where carbon, biodiversity, and human welfare are inseparable
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The influence of climate change on conflict
Rising temperatures are inflaming old tensions and creating new fault lines in fragile states. Only integrated, locally led action can build the resilience needed for lasting peace
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COP30: an opportunity beyond climate
Global instability and rising emissions threaten to derail progress just as the world reaches the critical 1.5°C threshold. COP30 in Brazil offers a chance to turn ambition into action – but only if multilateralism can overcome today’s fractured geopolitics
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The elusive goal of equality
“Leave no one behind,” the central tenet of the SDGs, underlines the importance of tackling inequality as countries strive to achieve the Global Goals. Rampant inequality is connected to setbacks in other areas, from democratic backsliding and the weakening rule of law to sluggish action on climate
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Resourcing Africa’s future: fairness at the core
Africa holds some of the world’s richest reserves of transition minerals, from cobalt and copper to lithium and platinum. To prevent the green revolution from becoming just another chapter of exploitation, African leaders and global partners must insist on value creation at home
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How carbon markets can deliver climate investment for developing nations
The Paris Agreement’s long-debated Article 6 is now in place, opening the door to trade in carbon between nations. Could this finally turn carbon trading into a tool for sustainable development as well as decarbonization?
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With sustainable development stalled, where do we look for hope?
The global development landscape is at a crossroads. As political fragmentation grows and the effectiveness of international aid comes into question, the future of the SDGs appears increasingly uncertain
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Action on climate
COP30 – the UN Climate Change Conference that will be held in Belém, Brazil in November – will be a moment of truth. All parties to the Paris Agreement must submit new Nationally Determined Contributions for the next decade.
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Net-zero saboteurs
Indirect lobbying of governments and institutions by industry associations remains an important way for companies to sabotage climate progress, and it’s flying under the radar. We need more responsible firms and governments to call out and curb these hidden and harmful practices before it’s too late
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Green tech: disrupting the status quo to slow climate change
Addressing climate change requires a paradigm shift: disruptive, decarbonizing technologies across agriculture, industrials, buildings, energy, and transportation, backed by strong government investment. By fostering exploratory innovation in each sector, we can create the comprehensive solutions for the sustainable transformation we need
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Climate action that protects the right to development
Carbon emission reduction plans designed by developed nations can – whether by intention or not – deny developing nations the opportunity to develop. Balancing climate action with economic progress is critical to creating an inclusive, resilient future for all
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Why ocean action is the litmus test for sustainable development
The ocean is not just a victim of environmental decline – it is a foundation of global development. From climate resilience to food security to poverty reduction, ocean health now stands as a critical barometer of our capacity to achieve the SDGs
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Reproductive health is the bedrock of healthy societies and economies
People’s rights to decide freely about sex, contraception, and parenthood are central to human dignity, economic growth, and gender equality – yet they remain under attack worldwide. Without urgent action to protect and expand these rights, decades of progress risk being undone, with young people bearing the greatest cost
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Creating a financial system for all: taking forward the Sevilla Commitment
The world is far off track to meet the SDGs, with declining aid, rising debt burdens, and a global financial system that often works against the countries that need it most. The recent Seville conference offers a chance to reset – producing a new global commitment and a platform for action to reform how development is financed