State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Sustainable Development Goals4

  • Conference on Sustainable Development Practice Sept. 17-18

    Conference on Sustainable Development Practice Sept. 17-18

    The Global MDP Association and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network are hosting the 2nd Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development Practice at Columbia University.

  • UN Includes Comprehensive Oceans Goal in the Sustainable Development Goals

    UN Includes Comprehensive Oceans Goal in the Sustainable Development Goals

    The 12th Session of the UN Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (OWG SDG) will take place at the UN in New York City on June 16-20. An important opportunity is unfolding for the SDG process to contribute to the health and prosperity of our oceans and seas.

  • Shedding Light on Rural Africa: A New Partnership

    Shedding Light on Rural Africa: A New Partnership

    In partnership with the Italian energy company Eni, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network will evaluate potential pathways for increasing access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, furthering its goals of promoting sustainable development solutions globally.

  • What Comes After 2015? The Next Set of Goals

    What Comes After 2015? The Next Set of Goals

    “The gains in fighting poverty, and indeed generations of economic gains, are at serious threat of reversal unless deep structural crises of rising social inequality and rapid environmental degradation are finally addressed.”

  • Keeping Track: the State of the Planet

    Keeping Track: the State of the Planet

    Watch highlights of last October’s “State of the Planet” summit, which brought experts together to discuss the challenges of sustainable development, climate change and the environment, as well as some of the solutions.

  • UN Secretary General Names EI Director Jeffrey Sachs to Lead Sustainability Project

    UN Secretary General Names EI Director Jeffrey Sachs to Lead Sustainability Project

    The Sustainable Development Solutions Network will bring together public and private research centers to address some of the urgent social, environmental and economic problems raised during the recent Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

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

  • Conference on Sustainable Development Practice Sept. 17-18

    Conference on Sustainable Development Practice Sept. 17-18

    The Global MDP Association and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network are hosting the 2nd Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development Practice at Columbia University.

  • UN Includes Comprehensive Oceans Goal in the Sustainable Development Goals

    UN Includes Comprehensive Oceans Goal in the Sustainable Development Goals

    The 12th Session of the UN Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (OWG SDG) will take place at the UN in New York City on June 16-20. An important opportunity is unfolding for the SDG process to contribute to the health and prosperity of our oceans and seas.

  • Shedding Light on Rural Africa: A New Partnership

    Shedding Light on Rural Africa: A New Partnership

    In partnership with the Italian energy company Eni, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network will evaluate potential pathways for increasing access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, furthering its goals of promoting sustainable development solutions globally.

  • What Comes After 2015? The Next Set of Goals

    What Comes After 2015? The Next Set of Goals

    “The gains in fighting poverty, and indeed generations of economic gains, are at serious threat of reversal unless deep structural crises of rising social inequality and rapid environmental degradation are finally addressed.”

  • Keeping Track: the State of the Planet

    Keeping Track: the State of the Planet

    Watch highlights of last October’s “State of the Planet” summit, which brought experts together to discuss the challenges of sustainable development, climate change and the environment, as well as some of the solutions.

  • UN Secretary General Names EI Director Jeffrey Sachs to Lead Sustainability Project

    UN Secretary General Names EI Director Jeffrey Sachs to Lead Sustainability Project

    The Sustainable Development Solutions Network will bring together public and private research centers to address some of the urgent social, environmental and economic problems raised during the recent Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.