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 | 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…
Story | 31 Oct, 2017
A major enhancement of protection in Iceland
After many years of lobbying by Icelandic and international experts from WCPA, the Icelandic Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Björt Ólafsdóttir has just announced the enhanced protection status of one of the most important ice caps and adjacent wetland areas in the highlands of…
Story | 18 Oct, 2017
IUCN commends Russia on the centenary of its ‘zapovedniks’
IUCN President, Mr. Zhang Xinsheng commended Russia on its efforts to conserve its exceptional biodiversity at the recent protected area forum in Sochi, Russia to mark the centenary of the opening of Russia’s first strict nature reserve, Barguzinsky zapovednik.
Story | 13 Oct, 2017
EU Forum of Judges for the Environment 2017 Annual Conference: “Climate Change and the Judiciary”
Members of WCEL and the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment (GJIE) Interim Governing Committee, including Justice Luc Lavrysen of the Belgian Constitutional Court, Justice Ragnhild Noer of the Supreme Court of Norway, and Justice Michael D.
Story | 26 Sep, 2017
IUCN mourns the loss of eminent conservationist and former IUCN Vice President Jan ČEŘOVSKÝ
Dr Jan Čeřovský, a leading Czech botanist and nature conservationist, and a former Vice President of IUCN, passed away on 7 September at the age of 87, having made an immense contribution to nature conservation.
Story | 21 Sep, 2017
Launch of the IUCN Incubator for Nature Conservation
Everyone agrees that protected areas are valuable, but can they make money? Can they achieve full financial stability, and even provide a return on private investment? A new IUCN initiative aims to find out.
Story | 21 Sep, 2017
WCEL Contributes to London Conference on Law & Environment in Small States
WCEL Steering Committee members Elizabeth Mrema (UN Environment, Kenya) and Deputy Chair Denise Antolini (University of Hawaii, US) keynoted a conference on September 5-6 held at Queen Mary University of London on Law and Environment in Small States. WCEL member Catherine Iorns (Victoria…
Story | 07 Sep, 2017
EU Overseas - champions in marine and coastal protection
With 33% of national waters protected the EU Overseas spearhead efforts in global marine conservation