Story | 06 Dec, 2011
First action plan for world’s blue carbon policy
The first policy framework outlining activities needed to include coastal marine areas such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses into the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has been presented in a report by IUCN (International Union for Conservation…
Story | 05 Dec, 2011
Forest Day: the face of forests at UN climate change negotiations
Forest Day has become something of a tradition at the annual UN climate change conference, the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP). Here at COP17 in Durban, Forest Day 5 was held on 4 December, bringing together over 1000 people who work on – and are passionate about – forestry issues, including…
Press release | 05 Dec, 2011
Empowering local communities defends against climate change
Durban, South Africa, 5 December 2011 (IUCN) — The world’s poorest people are on the frontlines of climate change, with everything to lose and little to cushion the blow of its far-reaching impacts. A new position paper by the Ecosystems and Livelihoods Adaptation Network (ELAN) illustrates how…
Story | 01 Dec, 2011
The role of ecosystems in adaptation is recognized at the international level under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Ecosystem-based approaches to…
Story | 30 Nov, 2011
Natural Solutions: Protected Areas helping people cope with climate change
Protected areas are an essential part of the global response to climate change.
Story | 28 Nov, 2011
The acid truth about our oceans: experts urge action to limit ocean acidification
Ocean acidification can no longer remain on the periphery of the international debates on climate change and the environment and should be addressed by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other global environmental conventions, urges IUCN and the International Ocean Acidification…
Story | 27 Nov, 2011
More than 180,000 protected areas—national parks, nature reserves and so on—now cover over 12% of the world’s land area and 7.2% of coastal waters. They play an important role in reducing carbon emissions and helping people adapt to the impacts of climate change. These are the findings of a…
Press release | 22 Nov, 2011
European Environment: alarming decline in plants, molluscs and freshwater fish
Europe's natural heritage is showing an alarming decline, according to new research published today. The European Red List, a part of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, assessed a considerable portion of Europe’s native fauna and flora, finding that a large proportion of molluscs,…
Press release | 21 Nov, 2011
Solving climate change crisis naturally
Background: In advance of the UN climate summit in Durban this November, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) calls upon policy-makers to increase climate funding and promote nature-based solutions to climate change. Among the key issues at the 17th annual Conference of…
Story | 16 Nov, 2011
Species on the Edge app is launched
Acclaimed by the US Apple Store as ‘New and Noteworthy’, the new Species on the Edge app is a detailed guide to 365 species from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. Featuring stunning photos and thought-provoking information it allows users to learn about threatened species from around the…