Linking Population, Poverty and Development

Analyzing the relationship between population and climate change

Population issues are critical to understanding climate change and its consequences. But in global conversations and modeling exercises, the impact of population on greenhouse gas emission (the aspect of climate change related to human activities) has often been discussed simplistically. Recent research and analysis shows that the relationship is complex, and is deepening the understanding of population dynamics and climate change.

UNFPA is committed to a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to the population-climate change nexus and is examining the links between population size and other factors related to mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.

UNFPA has created this site as a central repository for recent research and advocacy materials that will deepen the discussion of population dynamics in both climate change and sustainable development. t is based on papers presented at an experts meeting in June 2009 and compiled in this publication, produced jointly with IIED.

Close consideration of differentiated population dynamics and gender inequalities can broaden policy options, generate better emissions scenarios and improve identification and targeting of vulnerable populations. This, in turn, can lead to more effective strategies for mitigating climate change and helping vulnerable populations adapt. More..

UNFPA is contributing to the UN system response to climate change by focusing on links between population dynamics and climate change. Activities include:

7 April - Bonn Climate Change Talks Side Event: "Population, Urbanization and Climate Change"
24-25 June - Expert Group Meeting on Population Dynamics and Climate Change, London. Hosted by UNFPA and IIED in collaboration with the Population Division of UN/DESA and UN-Habitat
28-30 June - World Bank Urban Research Symposium: Cities and Climate Change
15 September - Population Dynamics and Climate Change side event, Secretary General's High Level Summit on Climate Change
15 October - Launch of the resource kit, Climate Connections: Gender and Population, in collaboration with WEDO
18 November - Launch of the State of the World Population 2009: Facing a Changing World: Women, population and climate
12 December - Panel on Population Dynamics and Climate Change at Development and Climate Days, Copenhagen
12 December - Launch of the book, Population Dynamics and Climate Change, an edited volume with IIED
UNFPA Participation in the COP15:
- 14 December, 6:15-7:45 - Side Event on Cities, Population and Climate Change, in collaboration with UN-HABITAT, UNECE, UNEP, UNDP, UNITAR and the UN DESA Population Division
- 16 December, 1:00-2:30 - Side Event on Gender and Climate Change, in collaboration with UNDP, UNIFEM and other UN organizations

Web Links

Linking Population, Poverty and Development

Analyzing the relationship between population and climate change