Sustainability: National and International Resources

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.

The UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change) is the United Nations entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change. UNFCCC stands for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Convention has near universal membership (197 Parties) and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

At COP 16 held in Cancun, by decision 1/CP.16, Parties established the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the Convention. The relationship between the COP and the GCF is stipulated in the arrangements between the two, as contained in decision 5/CP.19. The Fund is governed by the GCF Board and it is accountable to and functions under the guidance of the COP to support projects, programs, policies and other activities in developing country Parties using thematic funding windows.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.

The EUKI is a project financing instrument by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). It is the overarching goal of the EUKI to foster climate cooperation within the European Union in order to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. It does so through strengthening across-border dialogue and cooperation as well as exchange of knowledge and experience.

This has several useful tips about how to approach teaching sustainability, how not to overwhelm students with info, and links to online tools to calculate ecological footprints.

Numerous maps that cover Greenhouse Gases, Arctic Sea Ice, Carbon Dioxide, Mountain Glaciers, Ocean Heat, Sea Level, Spring Snow, Incoming Sunlight and Surface Temperature.

This stalwart’s “Arguments” page lists 197 common myths about climate change (“It’s the sun”) alongside what the science actually says (“In the last 35 years of global warming, sun and climate have been going in opposite directions”).

No country can solve the climate crisis alone. Everyone must do their part. That is why, shortly after taking office, President Biden called world leaders together and urged them to commit to the steps needed to keep the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach. Many countries are raising their ambition, but stronger and more urgent efforts are needed to reduce emissions and to help the most vulnerable countries cope with devastating climate impacts.

U.S. Climate Alliance states are committed to taking real, impactful, on-the-ground action that urgently addresses the climate challenge.

The Biden-Harris Administration is taking decisive steps to reduce emissions, increase resilience, advance environmental justice, and achieve true energy security. This federal mobilization, building on the leadership of states, Tribal Nations, and local governments, has already spurred historic progress.

EPA is committed to advancing the goals of environmental justice for all Americans, including those historically marginalized, overburdened, underserved, and living with the legacy of structural racism. Additional web content about climate change and environmental justice is currently under development.

We’re on a mission to reduce New York State’s carbon footprint, make our communities more resilient, and adapt to a changing climate. Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, we will tackle climate change and create new opportunities for future generations.

The passage of AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, marked a watershed moment in California’s history. By requiring in law a sharp reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, California set the stage for its transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future. AB 32 was the first program in the country to take a comprehensive, long-term approach to addressing climate change, and does so in a way that aims to improve the environment and natural resources while maintaining a robust economy.

Offers grants to farmers and ranchers to plant cover crops or native grasses, switch to no-till practices, restore wetlands, use compost, and otherwise explicitly help increase the soil’s “organic matter and carbon content."

Both high energy costs, and the growing impacts of climate change, pose a significant burden to every American. The historic investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will bring down consumer energy costs, increase American energy security, while substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.