Story | 14 May, 2018
Research to determine whether ocean plastics accelerate Arctic melt
IUCN and academic partners are conducting research in the Arctic and Baltic regions to establish to what extent plastic particles accelerate ice melt in the Arctic Circle. Dark plastic particles attract sunlight, warm up and melt the ice around it. The ongoing …
Story | 21 Feb, 2018
Focus on reducing consumption of plastic, not just recycling, IUCN argues at EU debate
IUCN took part in a debate on 20 February on plastics and their role within a circular economy. Participants agreed that the EU Plastics Strategy is a step in the right direction as regards tackling the problems associated with plastic but for IUCN there needs to be…
Story | 14 Feb, 2018
Azerbaijan to create the first Marine Protected Area in the Caspian Sea
Azerbaijan is upgrading and expanding the Gizilaghaj State Reserve to become a National Park and will include the first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Caspian Sea, the largest inland body of water on the planet. The new MPA will seek to protect six significant marine species on the brink of…
Story | 16 Jan, 2018
EU Plastics Strategy positive but requires implementation
IUCN welcomes the EU Plastics Strategy launched today, encourages all public and private actors to ensure its swift and adequate implementation, and looks forward to the European Union continuing to lead global action to tackle the marine plastic litter problem.
Story | 19 Dec, 2017
Plastic is everywhere, polluting our waters, choking marine wildlife, and even in our food and water. I’ve seen plastics in every ocean I’ve dived in. It is a problem of global proportions but an ambitious EU Plastics Strategy can create vital momentum.
Story | 21 Nov, 2017
EU Court orders Poland to stop Białowieża logging or face €100,000 daily fine
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ordered Poland to cease logging in the ancient Białowieża forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or face a possible fine of at least €100,000 per day. The Polish Ministry of the Environment has argued that the logging is necessary to counter a…
Story | 21 Nov, 2017
Taking nature into account can accelerate global Sustainable Development Goals, says IUCN
As leaders from business, government and the conservation community prepare to demonstrate the latest advances to value and measure natural capital in their supply chains and national policies, greater action is needed to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, says IUCN.
Story | 17 Nov, 2017
COP23 event showcases EU leadership on nature-based solutions
National and regional government officials as well as representatives from the European Commission, business and civil society took part in a panel discussion organised by IUCN Europe at the UNFCCC COP23 in Bonn on Tuesday 14 November on the role of nature-based solutions in helping Europe to…
Story | 17 Nov, 2017
Meeting of the WCEL Specialists Group on Climate Change
On 12 November, lawyers, students, policymakers, conservationists and private sector representatives from around the world gathered in Bonn to discuss the future of the planet. Led by the IUCN Environmental Law Programme, in collaboration with UN Agencies, State Party Delegations, NGOs and…
Press release | 09 Nov, 2017
Good initiatives exist but more action needed to tackle marine plastics
Brussels, 8 November 2017 (IUCN) - A new IUCN Europe report shows that a number of policy initiatives are already in place to protect our oceans from plastic pollution – however Europe can still do more to protect our oceans from plastics.