Story | 12 Jan, 2018
The conservation and livelihoods power of a community fund in Uganda
The Community Environment Conservation Fund (CECF) is a conservation benefits sharing model developed and implemented by IUCN to address immediate community livelihood needs through a credit scheme. This in turn motivates and empowers communities to responsibly utilise and manage natural…
Story | 11 Jan, 2018
SDGs and environment sidelined in EU budget debate
This week EU officials, ministers and experts debated the next EU budget in a high-level conference. Although the event was called ‘Shaping our future’, disappointingly nature and the environment received only passing mentions.
Story | 11 Jan, 2018
Garbage In, Garbage Out: Waste management in the Maldives
As a child, Firushan would often go to the beach to play. Back then, the beach used to be covered in leaves that were swept there from the streets.
Story | 27 Dec, 2017
Freshwater biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin Hotspot is remarkably diverse and highly threatened as confirmed by the IUCN Mediterranean Biodiversity Red List assessments. The process to identify and delineate of freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) in north-west Mediterranean, including…
Story | 12 Dec, 2017
EU auditors find CAP ‘greening’ measures ineffective
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has found that the ‘greening’ of direct payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been environmentally ineffective.
Story | 07 Dec, 2017
Certified organic: A new prawn paradigm in Bangladesh
In Shyamnagar, Bangladesh, approximately 17,000 hectares of land (nearly the area of Washington D.C.) are being used for shrimp cultivation.
Story | 30 Nov, 2017
Mangroves and REDD+: A new component of MFF
Mangrove forests are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. They provide a variety of ecological and socio-economic services benefitting millions of people living in coastal areas. Mangrove ecosystems are important nursery and feeding habitats for many marine and coastal species and a…
Story | 29 Nov, 2017
EU ideas for agriculture hold some promise for nature but questions remain
Today, the European Commission unveiled its strategy for the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which calls for more environmentally friendly farming in the EU; however key questions remain regarding implementation and budgetary commitments.
Story | 24 Nov, 2017
Natural Capital, the secret to sustainable cities
In our search for better management of natural capital, cities are where the difference can be made. City authorities often show genuine leadership in protecting the natural environment, and pursue ambitious targets beyond those set at national and international levels. They recognise the…
Story | 22 Nov, 2017
SUSTAIN’s interest-driven partnerships: a win-win for river flow and farmers’ fields
Until very recently, the Katuma river in Tanzania was on the verge of drying-up. The main reasons for the reduced river flow were illegal abstractions by smallholder farmers and irregular and reduced rainfall due to climate change.