News
Inspired by light: close of the International Year of Light
From the beginning of time, we have been fascinated by light, its magic and beauty. It has inspired many thinkers, scientists, philosophers or artists.
In 2015, the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies celebrated all of its applications, raising awareness of their potential to achieve a sustainable future.
Sustainable energy can ‘save millions of lives,’ Ban tells summit in Abu Dhabi
Millions of lives can be saved by ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed at the World Future Energy Summit taking place in the United Arab Emirates.
“Sustainable energy is the thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and our efforts to combat climate change,” Mr. Ban told industry leaders from around the world attending the week-long conference in Abu Dhabi.
'Renewable energy is limitless and will last forever,' says Ban at global debate
Everyone involved in energy—governments, the private sector, investors and financial institutions, cities, and people everywhere–has understood that we can no longer burn our way to global prosperity, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today at a debate hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Financial Times.
“We all know that renewable energy is limitless and will last forever,” Mr. Ban said in the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi.
Solar power surges – slowly – in regulation-heavy Russia
In late October, Russia opened the first stage of the country’s largest solar power plant.
Located in the Republic of Bashkortostan, between the Volga river and the Ural Mountains in the south of the country, the project will eventually have a 20-megawatt (MW) capacity.
‘At time of great division,’ unity on Paris climate accord must be built upon – UN Assembly President
The President of the 193-member United Nations General Assembly today vowed to begin the hard work of carrying out the Paris Agreement on climate change, reminding the world that at a time of great division, the unity, leadership and collective responsibility demonstrated in the French capital should not be forgotten.
“And we must encourage climate actors to embrace opportunities for action, partnership and investment that drive implementation of the broader poverty eradication and sustainable development agenda,” said said Mogens Lykketoft, as he briefed Member States on the conference, widely known as COP21.
Ban hails Paris climate accord as ‘health insurance policy for the planet’
Calling the Paris Agreement on climate change “a health insurance policy for the planet,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he never lost faith over his nine years in office that the international community could rise to the challenge and take steps to curb emission and boost climate-resilient growth.
“The countries of the world have made a historic choice,” he told a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York on his return from attending the so-called COP21 conference in Paris, as he called on Governments to put their pledges into action.
Director-General welcomes COP21 agreement and underlines the momentum in changing minds not the climate
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today welcomed the historic agreement reached by participants at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“Beyond this ambitious and balanced agreement, COP21 has created a momentum in changing peoples’ minds and preparing them to embrace the economic and life-style adjustments we all need to make to preserve human life on the planet,” Ms Bokova said.
COP21: UN chief hails new climate change agreement as 'monumental triumph'
Following the adoption of the new Paris Agreement on climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said government representatives made history today.
“The Paris Agreement is a monumental triumph for people and our planet,” said Mr. Ban in a tweet, immediately following its adoption. “It sets the stage for progress in ending poverty, strengthening peace and ensuring a life of dignity and opportunity for all.”
