Carbon markets allow the trading of carbon credits, which represent a reduction or removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Buyers, including governments, companies, and individuals, purchase these credits to offset their emissions. Carbon credits are generated through activities like forest protection, wetland restoration, renewable energy adoption, methane capture from landfills, and improving energy efficiency. Once verified, the credits can be exchanged to help meet emission reduction targets cost-effectively. After purchase, the credits are retired, preventing reuse.
UNDP
For , United Nations Development Programme has partnered with governments and communities to reduce inequalities, create jobs, support crisis recovery, and promote inclusive, sustainable development worldwide.
Being in debt can be burdensome, and similarly, our obligations to Earth are growing. We are depleting the planet's resources through deforestation, food waste, overfishing, and fossil fuel extraction at an alarming rate. This year, , which indicates when we surpass the Earth's annual resource replenishment ability, fell on July 24. At our current consumption rate, we require 1.75 planets to support our lifestyles. Since 1971, when we were within planetary limits, our consumption patterns have increasingly disregarded the needs of future generations.
Across Latin America and the Caribbean, young leaders are rising to confront the climate crisis, advocate for justice, and build resilient communities.
In Colombia's mountains and forests, the spirit of Mother Earth resonates through nature, traditional chants, and misty landscapes. This profound connection inspired the (Indigenous Communities for the Forests) initiative, led by UNDP Colombia. Supported by the and , it aims to empower Indigenous Peoples' organizations in their efforts for biodiversity and climate resilience. The initiative is rooted in ancestral knowledge, cultural heritage, and Indigenous governance, highlighting the importance of preserving both the land and its traditions.
The ocean, covering over 70% of our planet, is vital for human existence but faces crises from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Grassroots actions are essential, exemplified by Shabib Asghar, a PADI Dive Master and from Pakistan. After his first dive in 2015, he became Director of Marine conservation Pakistan and launched the Reef Revival Initiative in 2025, focusing on organic coral propagation without artificial structures. Leading a dedicated team, Shabib empowers youth through hands-on projects, promoting sustainable practices like eco-friendly fishing and habitat restoration to protect coastal ecosystems.
Franklin Olivo was exploring the Tagarkunyal jungle in Panama's Darién province when he encountered a harpy eagle, the largest eagle in the Americas. This bird, recognized as Panama's national symbol, holds significant cultural importance for Indigenous groups and plays a crucial role in the rainforest ecosystem. However, it faces threats from hunting and habitat loss, particularly in the Darién region, which is also plagued by poverty and illegal activities. Despite economic pressures from agriculture, logging, and mining, the Guna and other Indigenous Peoples play a vital role in conserving the rainforest through their traditional knowledge and community stewardship. Franklin's sighting of the eagle was part of a monitoring project initiated by Guna leaders to empower local youth as environmental guardians.
Dayana Blanco, from Bolivia, and Maggie Bukowa, from Zambia, represent two influential voices of change within a global network dedicated to talent, conviction, and passion, which serves as the foundation for the . This initiative recognizes the invaluable wisdom and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities worldwide. Supported by the governments of Norway and Germany, the Equator Initiative aligns with the UNDP's and initiatives, which aim to enhance livelihoods while safeguarding nature and human rights. The inaugural was established in 2002 during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, also known as Rio+10, building upon the commitments made during the landmark 1992 Earth Summit.
In April 2025, wildlife officials confirmed the sighting of the critically endangered Malayan tiger in Southern Thailand after a decade-long absence. This discovery, captured by in Bang Lang National Park, also revealed other wildlife like tapirs and wild elephants, emphasizing the idea that thriving tiger populations benefit the entire forest ecosystem. The Malayan tiger, native to Peninsular Malaysia, numbers fewer than in the wild. Successful population rebounds in countries like Bhutan and India highlight the importance of political commitment and conservation efforts supported by organizations like the United Nations Development Programme () and the .
Development has led to significant achievements like longer lives and less poverty, but these gains are threatened by deep global changes, including geopolitical tensions, shifting populations, and climate shocks. The UNDP's report "" urges the global community to prioritize risk reduction. It recommends three key actions: rethink development outcomes by incorporating measures of wellbeing and resilience beyond GDP, reimagine governance through empowering local institutions and data use, and reboot cooperation by investing in long-term, flexible solutions. These strategies aim to transform risks into opportunities for advancing development effectively.
. What do lush tea fields, spicy wasabi, and floodplains that double as community parks have in common? They’re all part of a global movement where people and nature thrive together! In from UNDP Nature, you’ll meet the passionate locals and Indigenous leaders behind COMDEKS — an initiative that blends age-old traditions with modern smarts to protect biodiversity and boost livelihoods. Follow their journey from the forests of Costa Rica to the satoyama heartlands of Japan, and discover how sustainable farming, clever land management, and a whole lot of community spirit are turning everyday places into pockets of ecological magic. It’s proof that saving the planet can start right in your backyard—and yes, it can be delicious too.
The ocean, vital for food, clean air, and livelihoods, is increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
The path of giants: In the dense forests of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve (DNBR), the deep imprint of an elephant's foot is inscribed in the soft earth. These giant wanderers, part of Viet Nam's wild heritage, move with the memory of lands that once stretched unbroken. But their forests have changed, as fences and roads cut through the land like ribbons of steel. As these great animals wander their shrinking world, their struggle reflects a pressing question: can conservation evolve to match the vast, borderless world these giants evolved to inhabit? how, thanks to and partners, the DNBR is becoming a model for “conservation without borders” where both people and wildlife can thrive. Photo: A lone Asian elephant roaming the vast expanses of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve.
People everywhere wish to live in peace and dignity, free from fear and from want. Yet today we face multiple overlapping crises that impact billions of lives and undermine our collective well-being. Identifying threats to human security is our first step towards a future of peace and prosperity. and see if you can spot the development challenges hidden in the scene.
High in the Peruvian Andes, the resilient community of Culta — perched over 3,800 metres above sea level near Lake Titicaca — is . As rain and frost wiped out crops and droughts dried up springs, local women leaders, like Pascuala Pari and Fanny Ninaraqui, rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Their secret weapon? Seeds! Through colorful seed banks and clever exchanges — think bartering quinoa like Pokémon cards — they’re reviving ancient crops such as the cañihua [an heirloom crop related to quinoa], oca [a traditional root vegetable], and multi-colored quinoa. Backed by , GEF’s Small Grants Programme, and Peru’s Ministry of Environment, these women-led groups are not just planting food; they’re sowing resilience, reclaiming lost biodiversity, and leading the charge for sustainable farming with sprinklers, savvy, and spirit. With each harvest, they’re proving that agrobiodiversity isn’t just about crops; it’s about culture, climate action, and a whole lot of courage.