The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) focuses on climate action and addressing climate change impacts. This goal includes strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters worldwide, integrating climate change measures into national policies and planning, improving education and awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and enhancing early warning systems. Additionally, SDG 13 calls for the mobilization of $100 billion annually by developed countries to support the needs of developing countries in mitigating climate change and operationalizing the Green Climate Fund. It also promotes mechanisms to build capacity for climate change planning and management, particularly in least developed countries and small island developing States, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and marginalized communities.
Climate action faces a trio of formidable challenges. Mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions require systemic changes in industries and lifestyles. Adaptation to the already unavoidable impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, is crucial. However, political will often lags, and international cooperation can be complex. Moreover, many economies remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, hindering the transition to renewable energy sources. Tackling these challenges demands urgent, global commitment to sustainable practices, transition away from fossil fuels, and a recognition that climate change is an imminent threat that requires swift and unified action.
Below are some organizations making contributions to climate action.
Carbon Capture and Storage
Climeworks – Develops and operates direct air capture plants that remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it permanently underground.
Carbon Engineering – Captures CO2 from the air and converts it into synthetic fuels, offering a potential pathway for carbon negative emissions.
Verdant Power – Uses bio-energy crops and algae to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and produce biofuels and renewable chemicals.
Carbon Engineering – Develops technology to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air and convert it into fuel or other useful products, offering a potential solution for negative emissions.
Project Canary – Provides monitoring and data analytics tools for carbon capture and storage projects, ensuring transparency and effectiveness of these technologies.
Climate Finance and Advocacy
350.org – Organizes grassroots campaigns and mobilizes climate activists to demand policy changes and hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact.
Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems
AeroFarms – Practices vertical farming to grow fresh produce indoors using less water and land, promoting sustainable agriculture in urban areas.
Imperfect Foods – Rescues and delivers ugly produce that would otherwise be wasted, reducing food waste and promoting sustainable food systems.
SunCulture – Offers solar-powered water pumps and irrigation systems to farmers, increasing agricultural productivity and efficiency while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
TerraGlobal – Helps farmers adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, such as soil conservation and water management, to build resilience and reduce their carbon footprint.
Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies
Form Energy – Creates long-duration energy storage systems using iron-air batteries, addressing the challenge of intermittency in renewable energy sources.
BBOXX – Provides solar-powered mini-grids and appliances to communities in Africa and Asia, offering clean and reliable energy access while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Ample – Offers electric vehicle charging solutions for businesses and homeowners, accelerating the transition to electric mobility and reducing carbon emissions.
GridBeyond – Develops AI-powered energy management platforms that optimize energy use for businesses and utilities, improving energy efficiency and reducing grid strain.
Sustainable Transportation and Mobility
Zeelo – Operates electric buses for school transportation, offering a clean and efficient alternative to traditional diesel buses in African cities.
Technology and Data for Climate Action
Climate TRACE – Tracks greenhouse gas emissions from around the world, promoting transparency and accountability in emissions reduction efforts.
Open Climate Platform – An open-source platform for sharing climate data and tools, enabling collaboration and innovation in climate action.
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United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts) is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Read a review of innovative organizations working across other SDGs.
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