IUCN WCPA highlights 6 Key Protected and Conserved Areas Publications at CBD COP16

1. An overview of Participatory, Integrated, and Biodiversity-Inclusive Spatial Planning and Target 1 under the Convention on Biological Diversity Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework  

This Issues Paper provides an overview of participatory, integrated, and biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning. The publication outlines strategies for incorporating biodiversity considerations into spatial planning frameworks and highlights successful case studies demonstrating effective implementation.

2. Approaches for identifying areas of particular importance for marine biodiversity

This new technical note offers innovative approaches for identifying areas of particular importance for marine biodiversity. It offers practical methodologies for assessing and prioritizing marine areas based on their ecological significance, helping policymakers and conservation practitioners make informed decisions. 

3. Designing and managing protected and conserved areas to support inland water ecosystems and biodiversity

IUCN WCPA’s first-ever guidance focused on inland waters, this technical report provides a pathway for countries to explicitly include inland waters in their Target 3 national plans, conservation objectives, management plans and indicators.

4. Closing Window of Opportunity: Mapping Threats to Important Areas for Conservation in the Pantropics

This important new research report highlights the overlap between oil, gas, and mining concessions with conservation hotspots across the Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.

5. Building trust between rangers and communities 

The first in a series of guidelines by rangers, for rangers, this Good Practice Guidelines publication outlines a set of principles and good practices, along with many ranger stories and capacity building guidance, that can contribute to professionalisation, competence and conduct. 

6. Recognising territories and areas conserved by Indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs) overlapped by protected areas

A timely new volume in the Good Practice Guidelines on Protected and Conserved Areas Series, this publication provides guidance on appropriately recognising, respecting and supporting ICCAs as conserved territories and areas, protected areas, OECMs, and in situations in which they are overlapped by protected areas.

These new publications reflect IUCN WCPA's commitment to advancing biodiversity conservation through collaborative and integrated approaches. By providing essential resources and guidelines, we aim to empower stakeholders to implement effective strategies that align with the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework, and are dedicated to fostering cooperation and innovation in the pursuit of a biodiverse future.

⭐️ PLUS: Publications coming soon

Don’t miss other key publications to be released soon after CBD COP16 including:  

Practice guidance for protected and conserved area finance 

The IUCN WCPA Practice guidance for protected and conserved area finance provides detailed frameworks, descriptions, and insights into the use of conservation finance solutions to achieve protected and conserved area outcomes. 

Guidance on Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

These new guidelines include strong advice across all stages of identification, assessment, reporting, monitoring, and strengthening of OECMs, including 29 diverse case studies from around the globe. 

For more information please visit the IUCN WCPA at COP16 webpage.