By Glenn Concepcion “Science begins with curiosity — a seed that grows when we start asking why.”– Tiozon, 2025 You can often find Dr. Rhowell Tiozon, Jr., a young molecular biologist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), hard at work studying the intricate biochemistry of plants, and observing how different rice molecules interact with the human body. Recently, he
Under the UNFCCC’s Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work on Implementation of Climate Action on Agriculture and Food Security (SJW) – a four-year program launched at COP27 – countries are moving from dialogue towards delivery. Midway through this program, COP30 in Belém is a pivotal checkpoint. Why? Agriculture, which sustains billions of livelihoods and contributes significantly to emissions, must become part of
Climate change is not gender-neutral – and neither can be our response. As COP30 gets underway, one of the major milestones will be the adoption of a new UNFCCC Gender Action Plan (GAP) under the enhanced Lima work programme on gender. At COP29 last year, Parties concluded a review of the existing gender program (established in 2014 and extended in
Robust climate action rests on a foundation of sound science and data. The UNFCCC’s agenda item on Research and Systematic Observation (RSO) exists to strengthen that foundation – ensuring that policymakers are informed by the latest research and that critical climate data is being collected and shared. At COP30, the RSO track may not grab headlines, but its outcomes underlie
While carbon markets often steal the limelight, COP30 is also turning attention to Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement, which deals with Non-Market Approaches (NMAs) to climate action. Simply put, Article 6.8 encourages countries to cooperate on climate efforts without exchanging carbon credits or finance in a market setting. Examples of NMAs could include: sharing technology and expertise, forming partnerships to build
Climate action isn’t only about reducing emissions; it’s also about ensuring the shift to a green economy is fair and inclusive. This is the crux of the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) under the UNFCCC, which is gaining momentum as we head into COP30. Established at COP27 and fully operationalized at COP28, the JTWP provides, for the first time, a
For vulnerable countries and communities, climate change is already causing devastation that no amount of adaptation can prevent. These unavoidable climate impacts – from deadly heatwaves and floods to slow-onset crises like sea-level rise – are termed “Loss and Damage” (L&D). In recognition of this reality, recent UN climate summits have taken historic steps. COP27 (2022) established, and COP28 (2023)
Where can the world’s most vulnerable populations live safely and sustainably? Across the world, rising temperatures, degraded environments and weak governance are putting pressures on communities that depend on local land, water and institutions for survival. The Climate Complexity Group at the Alliance is developing a Habitability Index to answer this question. The index combines environmental, social, and governance data