UN Ocean Summit in Nice Closes with Wave of Commitments, UN News, June 14
The conference was a win for ocean ecosystems. It yielded progress on a new international law that can help protect 30 percent of the world’s high seas — parts of oceans that are outside national jurisdictions.
Vietnam Launches First Phase of Emissions Trading Scheme, Reuters, June 11
Vietnam aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To hit that goal, the country has required its concrete, steel, and power sectors — which account for half of its emissions — to join an emissions trading scheme. Commercial buildings and cargo transportation will be added in later phases.
New Zealand Government Sued over ‘Inadequate’ Plan to Reduce Emissions, CNN, June 11
“This will be one of the first legal cases in the world challenging a government’s pursuit of a climate strategy that relies so heavily on offsetting rather than emissions reductions at source,” said one of the organizations suing the New Zealand government.
How Restored Wetlands Can Protect Europe from Russian Invasion, Yale Environment 360, June 10
The intentional flooding of the Irpin Valley in Ukraine stopped a Russian advance. Scientists from Ukraine, Germany, and Poland are now looking at a broader European “natural defense” strategy that would include protecting and restoring thousands of miles of wetlands and forests, turning them into nature-based barriers that also provide climate and biodiversity benefits.
New Initiative Aims to Turn Vacant, Abandoned Lots into Parks, Spectrum News – NY1, May 27
The New York City government has committed a total of $80 million to purchasing abandoned lots, focusing on underserved communities that lack access to parks within a 10-minute walk. The City also plans on opening more schoolyards to the community after school, on weekends, and during the summer.