Trade association seeks $5 billion fund to cut shipping emissions
London-based ICS proposed creating an organization to run a $5 billion fund for eliminating carbon from global shipping.
Global Issues
Global issues are complex challenges that require international cooperation, from mitigating climate change to addressing global poverty and geopolitical conflicts. Of the U.N.'s 169 targets for sustainable development, only 35% are on track or making moderate progress toward their 2030 deadline.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Poor nations focus of global refugee forum expected to raise billions
As financial help for refugees lags, some leaders have raised concerns that insufficient resources can destabilize regions.
Marathon U.N. climate summit falls short on global carbon markets
Nations agreed to little more than another pledge to make more cuts in carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases.
UNAIDS dismisses whistleblower who propelled #MeToo movement
A whistleblower whose sexual assault probe upended UNAIDS was fired over misconduct claims she calls 'blatant' retaliation.
Alpinism added to UNESCO heritage list of traditions worth protecting
Enthusiasm for alpinism - and other climbing styles - remains strong today, but the pursuit is threatened by climate change.
U.S. forces WTO to shutter appeals court for resolving trade disputes
The World Trade Organization's ability to resolve trade disputes among nations is arguably its most critical function.
UNDP warns inequality drags on progress based on opportunity
Inequalities caused a 20% loss in global progress towards aspects of needed "human development" last year.
U.N. warns significant carbon cuts needed to meet Paris treaty goals
A new U.N. report says the world must cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 7.6% a year starting in 2020.
G-20 ministers press to elevate the importance of global trade rules
G-20 foreign ministers agreed WTO reforms are urgently needed to boost its relevance amid a U.S.-China trade war.
U.N. telecom agency's deal on 5G worries global weather experts
Negotiators announced a deal on new radio frequency standards for 5G, despite worries about forecasting impacts.
Progress and worry as children's rights treaty enters fourth decade
A human rights treaty helped make children healthier, but they still face threats like climate change and online abuse.
France and China advocate multilateralism in contrast to Trump
France and China urge more cooperation on climate, biodiversity and trade as the Trump administration retreats.
Scientists declare humanity is in the grips of a global climate emergency
More than 11,000 scientists said only an urgent shift to a carbon-free economy can ward off planetary catastrophe.
With U.N. notification, Trump triggers U.S. exit from climate treaty
On the first day possible, the U.S. alerted the U.N. that it will withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement a year from now.
U.N. chief points to 'deficit of trust' prompting mass street protests
A year of protests exposed an erosion of public trust in political leaders who aren't listening to people's real problems.
New green tech finance platform launches to guide private investors
A group of nations responsible for nearly half of all warming pollutants aim to oversee investment in climate technologies.