Felix Dodds comments on sustainable development, coffee & life

IISD/ENB - Kiara Worth You can watch the book launch on the UN Publications Facebook page here.  Felix Dodds - comments at the book launch. (copies still available at the UN Bookshop) I have had the pleasure of working with member states, UN staff and stakeholders on many of the critical issues that have challenged us since the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. Over the years, I have accumulated a set of knowledge on how to advance policy both in positive times and in difficult times, such as the ones we live in now. “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Winston Churchill’s famous maxim feels very relevant today, when multilateralism and many environmental causes seem to be in retreat. We now face a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Yet, the existing international environmental agreements and science bodies are not addressing these interconnected crises as effectively as they could. Can we turn the current situation into an opportunity for p...

Originally published on Inter Press Service here SAN FRANCISCO, California / APEX, North Carolina, US, Jul 14 2025 (IPS)  - “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Winston Churchill’s famous maxim feels very relevant today, when multilateralism and many environmental causes seem to be in retreat. We now face a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Yet, the existing international environmental agreements and science bodies are not addressing these interconnected crises as effectively as they could. Can we turn the current situation into an opportunity for positive change and progress? Despite the rise in geopolitical fragmentation-or perhaps because of it—many countries appear to be as invested as ever in international cooperation and diplomacy as a means to achieve progress. To take a recent example, last month, negotiators at a meeting in Uruguay agreed to establish a scientific panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution. Not all bad ne...

This is a personal reflection by Jamie Drummond on the last 20 years, with a special reference to challenges and opportunities in the UK creative campaigning context, as we contemplate how to build support for a modern-day Marshall Plan for People, Planet – and Hope. Share your views here – jamie@sharingstrategies.org . Twenty years ago, 250,000 people marched on the streets of Edinburgh demanding we Make Poverty History as billions watched the Live 8 concerts. For months before, millions had been mobilised, wearing white bands, writing to policymakers, raising their voices. All this built pressure on politicians around the world, especially the then Group of 8 nations leaders, to respond to our demands – like “drop the debt”, “double aid”, and “make trade fair”.   As President Trump’s cuts, backed in milder form by PM Starmer, threaten to kill 14 million people (according to this study in The Lancet ), as many deaths as a world war...

A long-overdue overhaul of my website has been undertaken by the talented Chris Yale, who has been my web designer and friend since 2008.  Over the years, I have been involved in several initiatives in various locations. This new website brings them together in one place. First: What my consultancy offers to support the engagement and effectiveness of stakeholders in the UN processes . Stakeholders waste a considerable amount of money due to a lack of understanding of the UN body they aim to influence, as well as a lack of support for their staff to be effective within those institutions. My consultancy addresses this. Just out is my book, co-authored with Chris Spence, Environmental Lobbying at the United Nations , a must-read for anyone engaged in the multilateral process. Second: There is now a link to my external platforms, including my Blog, LinkedIn, X, and my Spotify channel. The Spotify channel features podcasts based on my books, providing an additional way to access inf...

  Guest information from IRENA Press Release: Renewables Boom Highlights Growing Regional Divide   Over 70% of renewable energy capacity growth occurred in Asia, while other regions particularly Africa lagged behind, according to new IRENA data.     Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 10 July 2025  - The Renewable Energy Statistics 2025 released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) today shows that despite renewables capacity growing by over 15% in 2024, the growth gap widens across regions.      Asia has kept its leading position since the past few years, accounting for 71% of new renewa...