State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Sustainable Development Goals3

  • How Well is the World Protecting Ecosystems and Human Health?

    How Well is the World Protecting Ecosystems and Human Health?

    The new global environmental report card is out. The 2016 Environmental Performance Index graded 180 countries on how well they are protecting human health and their ecosystems. While the world is making progress in some areas, it is seriously falling behind in others.

  • A Special Project, and a Chance to Double Your Impact

    A Special Project, and a Chance to Double Your Impact

    As 2015 comes to a close, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Earth Institute’s many partners, friends and supporters who help make our work possible. In honor of the final year of the Millennium Development Goals and the transition to the Sustainable Development Goals, we would like to highlight one partner…

  • Growing Up in an Era of Extreme Events: What We Need to Know Now

    NEW YORK (October 7, 2015)—The recent flooding in South Carolina is yet another reminder of just how much destruction natural disasters can cause and how ill prepared communities throughout the US continue to be. Extreme events such as flooding, drought, and storms are leading to not only short-term economic and health impacts but are setting…

  • Leave No One Behind: The Sustainable Development Goals

    Leave No One Behind: The Sustainable Development Goals

    At the end of September, all 193 member countries of the United Nations have agreed to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals towards eradicating poverty, protecting the planet and advancing prosperity by 2030. What do they hope to accomplish and why do they matter?

  • Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs Awarded Blue Planet Prize

    Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, has been awarded the 2015 Blue Planet Prize. The prize is presented each year to two individuals or organizations worldwide to recognize major efforts to solve global environmental problems. Many consider it to be the world’s highest such honor. The other recipient this year is Cambridge University…

  • Critical Role for Geospatial Data in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

    Critical Role for Geospatial Data in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

    To ensure no one is left behind by the next generation of global development goals, a comprehensive mix of robust data is needed to measure progress and guide investments. A recent report coordinated by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network estimates the world will need to spend roughly $1 billion a year to sustain and enhance…

  • Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda

    Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda

    Starting in 2016, a new series of global monitoring reports will examine the state of education, using the framework of the anticipated Sustainable Development Goals that are to be finalized by the UN in September 2015. The first report in this series, the 2016 Report, will focus on “Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda.”

  • Road to 2015: A Pivotal Year for Sustainable Development

    Road to 2015: A Pivotal Year for Sustainable Development

    The Sustainable Development Goals, to be set by the United Nations in September 2015, will outline the international development priorities for the coming decades. What will the goals look like? How can we measure progress effectively? Where will the funding to implement these goals come from? Can an international climate agreement be reached in Paris…

  • Webinar Sept. 8 on Proposed Sustainable Development Goals

    Webinar Sept. 8 on Proposed Sustainable Development Goals

    Researcher Magdalena A K Muir will present a live webinar, “The UN Sustainable Development Goals: Setting an Agenda for Sustainability,” as part of the Association for Environmental Studies and Educators Webinar Series.

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • How Well is the World Protecting Ecosystems and Human Health?

    How Well is the World Protecting Ecosystems and Human Health?

    The new global environmental report card is out. The 2016 Environmental Performance Index graded 180 countries on how well they are protecting human health and their ecosystems. While the world is making progress in some areas, it is seriously falling behind in others.

  • A Special Project, and a Chance to Double Your Impact

    A Special Project, and a Chance to Double Your Impact

    As 2015 comes to a close, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Earth Institute’s many partners, friends and supporters who help make our work possible. In honor of the final year of the Millennium Development Goals and the transition to the Sustainable Development Goals, we would like to highlight one partner…

  • Growing Up in an Era of Extreme Events: What We Need to Know Now

    NEW YORK (October 7, 2015)—The recent flooding in South Carolina is yet another reminder of just how much destruction natural disasters can cause and how ill prepared communities throughout the US continue to be. Extreme events such as flooding, drought, and storms are leading to not only short-term economic and health impacts but are setting…

  • Leave No One Behind: The Sustainable Development Goals

    Leave No One Behind: The Sustainable Development Goals

    At the end of September, all 193 member countries of the United Nations have agreed to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals towards eradicating poverty, protecting the planet and advancing prosperity by 2030. What do they hope to accomplish and why do they matter?

  • Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs Awarded Blue Planet Prize

    Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, has been awarded the 2015 Blue Planet Prize. The prize is presented each year to two individuals or organizations worldwide to recognize major efforts to solve global environmental problems. Many consider it to be the world’s highest such honor. The other recipient this year is Cambridge University…

  • Critical Role for Geospatial Data in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

    Critical Role for Geospatial Data in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

    To ensure no one is left behind by the next generation of global development goals, a comprehensive mix of robust data is needed to measure progress and guide investments. A recent report coordinated by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network estimates the world will need to spend roughly $1 billion a year to sustain and enhance…

  • Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda

    Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda

    Starting in 2016, a new series of global monitoring reports will examine the state of education, using the framework of the anticipated Sustainable Development Goals that are to be finalized by the UN in September 2015. The first report in this series, the 2016 Report, will focus on “Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda.”

  • Road to 2015: A Pivotal Year for Sustainable Development

    Road to 2015: A Pivotal Year for Sustainable Development

    The Sustainable Development Goals, to be set by the United Nations in September 2015, will outline the international development priorities for the coming decades. What will the goals look like? How can we measure progress effectively? Where will the funding to implement these goals come from? Can an international climate agreement be reached in Paris…

  • Webinar Sept. 8 on Proposed Sustainable Development Goals

    Webinar Sept. 8 on Proposed Sustainable Development Goals

    Researcher Magdalena A K Muir will present a live webinar, “The UN Sustainable Development Goals: Setting an Agenda for Sustainability,” as part of the Association for Environmental Studies and Educators Webinar Series.