Story | 26 Jan, 2017
World Wetlands Day: Strengthening resilience and collaboration to reduce disaster risk
On February 2nd the world celebrates its wetlands – complex ecosystems that provide a wide variety of services and benefits for people and nature. Wetlands such as estuaries, mangroves, marshes, and swamps play, beyond their biological role, a key part in helping people cope with disasters. Yet…
Story | 22 Nov, 2016
Representatives of 54 countries met in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from 17-18 November for the Hanoi conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, the third conference of its kind after London (2014) and Kasane (2015). The goal of the conference was to eradicate illegal wildlife trade, and to ensure effective…
Story | 02 Nov, 2016
Until recently, the significance of forest dependence had not been well understood. It was generally assumed that the livelihood value of forests was primarily derived from cash commodities like charcoal – and particularly for poorer households, as a safety net to help them through hard times.…
Story | 23 Jun, 2016
EU Member States agree on joint steps on environmental protection
EU Environment Ministers met earlier this week to advance the debate on issues related to wildlife trafficking, the circular economy and climate change.
Story | 21 Jun, 2016
For its 10th anniversary, the European Development Days welcomed over 6000 participants from over 140 countries. Over two days, from 15 to 16 June 2016, the European Commission’s EDDs brings the development community together to share ideas and experiences, to inspire, to build new partnerships…
Story | 10 Jun, 2016
Wildlife trade and dams putting natural World Heritage at risk – IUCN
Natural World Heritage sites face major threats, such as commercial logging, poaching, gillnet fishing and dams, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In its recommendations to the World Heritage Committee, which meets in July, IUCN has advised that three…
Story | 30 May, 2016
IUCN recommends five World Heritage listings
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, recommends World Heritage status for five sites nominated for their outstanding natural values. The advisory body on natural World Heritage, IUCN also recommends action against major threats in listed natural sites and danger-listing for two…
Story | 22 May, 2016
Key hotspots of species loss and water risks identified in new transboundary river basins report
On 22 May the global community marks ‘International Biodiversity Day’, celebrating the variety of life on earth. Yet, extinction risks range from moderate to very high in 70% of transboundary river basins, according to a new study: Transboundary River Basins: Status and Trends. Climate change,…
Story | 22 Mar, 2016
World Water Day - Blog: 'Why investing in natural water infrastructure will pay off'
By Renat Heuberger, CEO of the South Pole Group, and Mark Smith, Director of the IUCN Global Water Programme. Why did a group of bankers and fund managers spend an afternoon in a Zurich café talking about nature? For opportunity and innovation
Story | 01 Feb, 2016
World Wetlands Day: Wetlands & Sustainable Livelihoods
Each year, 2 February marks World Wetlands Day, to celebrate our planet’s wetlands but also to draw attention to the challenges that their degradation brings.