Economic Growth & Sustainable Development
The 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (UNEP)
https://globalabc.org/news/launched-2020-global-status-report-buildings-and-construction
Emissions from the operation of buildings hit their highest-ever level in 2019, moving the sector further away from fulfilling its huge potential to slow climate change and contribute significantly to the goals of the Paris Agreement, according to a new report released on 16 December 2020. However, pandemic recovery packages provide an opportunity to push deep building renovation and performance standards for newly constructed buildings, and rapidly cut emissions. The forthcoming updating of climate pledges under the Paris Agreement – known as nationally determined contributions or NDCs – also offer an opportunity to sharpen existing measures and include new commitments on the buildings and construction sector. The report, from the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), found that while global building energy consumption remained steady year-on-year, energy-related CO2 emissions increased to 9.95 GtCO2 in 2019. This increase was due to a shift away from the direct use of coal, oil and traditional biomass towards electricity, which had a higher carbon content due to the high proportion of fossil fuels used in generation.
Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI): physical activity, screen time and sleep of children aged 6-9 in Europe (2020) (WHO/Europe)
https://bit.ly/359e4Qe
A recent analysis of results from the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) provides a unique overview of the physical activity habits of children in the WHO European Region. The study shows that more can be done to increase physical activity, reduce screen time and ensure quality sleep among children in the Region and that there are clear differences in the prevalence of these behaviours between countries.
FeedUP@UN to help address food loss and waste (UNECE)
 http://feedup.unece.org/
With one third of food produced for human consumption lost and wasted every year and over 820 million people going hungry or suffering from malnutrition, understanding when, where and why perfectly edible food drops out of our food supply chains is crucial. In response, UNECE has launched FeedUP@UN, a blockchain-powered online system which identifies, quantifies, and traces the food that disappears from food supply chains before ever reaching the points of retail. By identifying the food loss hotspots, FeedUP@UN will open new income and employment opportunities. FeedUP@UN will help policy makers reach informed decisions to tackle food loss and waste and transition towards more circular food production and responsible consumption, supporting progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on zero hunger, sustainable consumption and production, sustainable economic growth, climate action and more.
Global Ocean Science Report 2020: Charting Capacity for Ocean Sustainability
Report in English, Executive Summary in English, French & Spanish: https://en.unesco.org/gosr
 Lack of funding is hampering the development and implementation of marine research and its valuable applications, according to the Second Global Ocean Science Report, published by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) on 14 December 2020, ahead of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development 2021-2030. On average, States devote only 1.7% of their research budgets to sciences of the ocean (0.03% to 11.8%, depending on the country), much less than they spend on other major scientific fields. This is incomprehensible considering the fundamental role of the ocean in regulating the climate and its rich biodiversity. Moreover, discoveries in oceanography feed almost all sectors of the economy and society with applications in medicine, in the preservation of biodiversity, and in the development of new industrial processes. Applications for climate change mitigation and adaptation account for the majority of patented oceanographic technologies.
Human Development Report 2020: The Next Frontier; Human Development and the Anthropocene (UNDP)
 English: http://report.hdr.undp.org/
French: http://report.hdr.undp.org/fr/
Spanish: http://report.hdr.undp.org/es/
The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest crisis facing the world, but unless humans release their grip on nature, it won’t be the last, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which includes a new experimental index on human progress that takes into account countries’ carbon dioxide emissions and material footprint. The report, released on 15 December 2020, lays out a stark choice for world leaders – take bold steps to reduce the immense pressure that is being exerted on the environment and the natural world, or humanity’s progress will stall.
The Migrant pay gap: Understanding wage differences between migrants and nationals (ILO)
Report, Executive Summary & Key findings: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour-migration/publications/WCMS_763803/lang–en/index.htm
 Migrants earn nearly 13 per cent on average less than national workers in high-income countries, according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report, released on 14 December 2020. In some countries such as Cyprus, Italy and Austria the pay gap in hourly wages is higher, at 42 per cent, 30 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. In Finland it is lower than the average, at 11 per cent and in the European Union as a whole it is almost 9 per cent. In the last five years, the migrant pay gap has widened in some high-income countries: In Italy for example, migrant workers earn 30 per cent less than nationals according to the latest data, compared to 27 per cent in 2015. In Portugal the pay gap is 29 per cent compared to 25 per cent in 2015, and in Ireland 21 per cent compared to 19 per cent in 2015. However, in all countries they face problems of discrimination and exclusion, which have been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ILO study shows.
SDG Good Practices: A compilation of success stories and lessons learned in SDG implementation (First Edition)
https://sdgs.un.org/publications/sdg-good-practices-2020
 This publication presents 16 SDG Good Practices from across the globe, received in response to the first open call for good practices in SDG implementation issued by UN DESA between 2018 and 2019. Sorted by geographical region, the publication describes the diverse examples in detail and features reflections on their impact and results. As the world pursues a transformative recovery from COVID-19 and embarks on the Decade of Action for the SDGs, this publication could provide inspiration to Governments and stakeholders in their efforts to address the crisis, reduce the risk of future potential emergencies and deliver on the ambitious and inclusive vision of the 2030 Agenda.
State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2020 (FAO)
Report, Summary, Infographics: http://www.fao.org/gfcm/publications/somfi/en/
 After decades of increasing human pressures on the Mediterranean and Black Sea marine ecosystems and fisheries resources, the latest data suggest that a corner is finally being turned on overexploitation of the region’s vital fish stocks. According to a new report on the State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries (SoMFi 2020), released on 14 December 2020, while 75 percent of fish stocks remain subject to overfishing, this percentage fell by more than 10 percent between 2014 and 2018. Exploitation ratios are down by a similar proportion. Taking into account newly assessed stocks, the number of fish stocks with high relative biomass has doubled since the last edition published in 2018. The SoMFI report is published biennially by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) – a FAO statutory body which operates under FAO Governing Bodies. The report has been produced by FAO staff within the GFCM Secretariat with the collaboration of select experts and on the basis of the data sent by fisheries administrations along the Mediterranean and Black Sea as well as the analysis carried out by the technical statutory bodies of the GFCM. While most of the stocks remain overexploited, this is the first time in decades that the GFCM has been able to report some positive trends.
 Supporting Families and Children Beyond COVID-19: Social Protection in High Income Countries (UNICEF–Innocenti)
https://bit.ly/3mhTbb9
Child poverty is expected to remain above pre-COVID levels for at least five years in high-income countries. Yet, only 2 per cent of government-provided financial relief across OECD and EU countries was allocated specifically to support children and families raising children during the first wave of the pandemic, according to a new UNICEF report released on 11 December 2020. It explores how the social and economic impact of the pandemic is likely to affect children; the initial government responses to the crisis; and how future public policies could be optimised to better support children.
Water pollution by plastics and microplastics: a review of technical solutions from source to sea (UNEP)
https://www.unep.org/resources/report/water-pollution-plastics-and-microplastics-review-technical-solutions-source-sea
 From source to sea, our waters are contaminated by a plastics scourge. A new study by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Water Management Institute ( IWMI), released on 17 December 2020, offers a number of technological solutions aimed at tackling one of the world’s most pressing issues. Approximately 8 million metric tonnes of plastic litter flow to the ocean annually, and only 9% of plastic waste ever produced has been recycled. A large percentage of the rest ends up in landfills, dumps and the environment, often findings its way to rivers, lakes and oceans through runoff, leakage, flushing of disposable wipes and hygiene products. Another major issue relates to microplastics – those plastics that are smaller than 5 millimeters, and that pose increasing environmental, economic and health hazards. Sometimes these are intentionally added to products, for example in cosmetics, for seed coatings, paint, washing powders and other applications. They are also generated from wear and tear, through the production of synthetic textiles and tyre usage. In addition, discarded plastics break down into these smaller particles through natural weathering processes. Microplastics can enter water bodies through different pathways, including atmospheric deposition, run-off from land, roads and through municipal wastewater.
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Shaping our Future Together – UN75 Final Report
Looking back at 2020, In Case You Missed It
UN News Centre: 2020 – Looking Back
UN chief sends message of hope for 2021
To mark the Geospatial Information Systems Day, celebrated on 18 November, the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) launched this new United Nations Geospatial website. The UN Geospatial website provides insights on international, regional or national context and location, and informs on geospatial activities and mandates carried out by the Organization. New features include: web-mapping services available to all, a gallery of examples of earth observation, Secretariat services, thematic products, work programmes, and partnerships, and a history of geospatial information in the United Nations.
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Behavioural considerations for acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines (WHO)
A new report by UN Women and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), released on 11 December 2020, highlights how companies are responding to the pandemic with practices that support gender equality. The emerging practices that are shared in the report aim to curb inequalities women are facing as the pandemic radically transforms the world of work. The pandemic threatens to push 47 million women and girls below the poverty line, the new report highlights how companies are supporting women in the workplace, marketplace and community during this critical time. The report features emerging and innovative private sector practices across six main areas of action impacting women’s economic empowerment: well-being and mental health, flexibility and family-friendly policies, equal access and use of digital technologies and platforms, equal access to financial and non-financial services, strengthening inclusive supply chains and support for women-led businesses, and preventing and mitigating gender-based violence.
COVID-19 Data Futures Platform (UNDP)
Sport is about participation. It brings individuals, communities and countries together and, in doing so, often bridges cultural, ethnic and national divides. But the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the world of sport, both in the professional and in the recreational spheres. Many sporting events were postponed or cancelled due to the risk of mass gatherings amplifying the transmission of the virus, as well as risks to athletes and professionals supporting these players and events. It was many months into the crisis before, with much innovation and collaboration, athletes began to return to arenas, in most cases, with fans still absent, and with varying consequences for the athletes and their families. UN DESA launched this advocacy brief on 15 December 2020, co-led by UN-Women. The brief was collaboratively drafted by sport focal points in the following entities: World Health Organization, UN Office for Drugs and Crime, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, International Labour Organization, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Children’s Fund, UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, UN Climate Change, UN Environment Programme and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. The brief sets out a vision to support the reopening, recovery and resilience of sport. The brief first highlights critical intersects between sport, physical activity, SDG achievement, and COVID-19 impact, the consequences of these intersects for our individual and collective wellbeing and ideas for addressing these consequences. It then presents critical actions or issues to be addressed across four key areas – promoting human rights and combatting discrimination; ensuring equal access to sport and physical activity; safeguarding participants; and ensuring integrity in sport- seeking to imagine the necessary course adjustments for bringing the sporting world safely back into full operation with renewed and refocused vigor.
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis uniquely complicates peace and reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected countries, jeopardizing public health responses and threatening peacebuilding efforts. A joint report co-authored by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO), Interpeace, and the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (DPPA/PBSO) calls for tailored and coordinated responses to build and sustain peace in countries affected by conflict. The publication offers ways to tackle the health crisis, create decent jobs in a conflict-sensitive manner and contribute to peacebuilding. In countries affected by armed conflict or where the risk of an outbreak of violence is high, the COVID-19 crisis or the response to it can exacerbate grievances, increase mistrust, discrimination and perceptions of injustice over access to health services, decent jobs and livelihoods, says the report.
Female Victims of Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation as Defendants: A Case Law Analysis (UNODC)
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched a comprehensive report which sheds light on the nature, characteristics, and level of organized crime in the Western Balkans on 14 December 2020. Using qualitative and quantitative data from several sources —including administrative records and court verdicts, as well as interviews with experts, victims, and prisoners— the report offers a comprehensive overview of the structure and modus operandi of criminal groups in the region. It further provides an in-depth analysis of devices that criminals resort to in order to evade justice —such as obstruction of justice and corruption— as well as the different forms of communication they use.