Publication | 2015
In this publication, several case studies from the African continent illustrate the "nature-based solutions" approach and offer hope that effective solutions to the climate change dilemma can be addressed through local responses that also achieve mutual benefits for biodiversity conservation and…
Story | 15 Nov, 2015
Report calls on aluminium industry to respect indigenous peoples' rights
Geneva, Switzerland, 16 November 2015 – While global demand for the world’s most popular metal – aluminium – continues to rise, it is critical that the aluminium industry address its environmental and social impacts, particularly in indigenous peoples’ territories, according to new report…
Publication | 2015
Resilience of coastal systems and their human partners
This report explains the ecology and social profile of coastal systems in Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania in order to contribute to the development of effective strategies to enhance the resilience of marine and coastal systems in the Western Indian Ocean. Special consideration is given to the…
Story | 07 Jul, 2015
Kishore Rao’s 40-year journey through protected areas and World Heritage
As the 39th World Heritage Committee concludes, Kishore Rao steps down for retirement after having headed UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre for over four years. With a background in nature conservation, he has worked on the World Heritage Convention from the perspectives of its secretariat, its…
Story | 08 Jun, 2015
To have healthy oceans we need healthy marine wildlife
According to the United Nations, World Oceans Day is about a healthy planet being based on healthy oceans – so true and in so many ways! The ecological pressures on Earth’s oceans are as diverse and daunting as the storms that can roll across its blue horizons. But there is hope rolling in the…
Story | 27 May, 2015
Rare albino turtles hatch on Vamizi Island
Even after long years of nesting monitoring, there are still things that surprise us all. For the first time on Vamizi Island in Mozambique, on the turtle monitoring project that started over 10 years ago, four albino green turtle hatchlings were found on the island's most successful nesting…
Publication | 2015
Following the first international workshop on the economics of ocean acidification organized by the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2010, a second international workshop was held in November 2012, which explored the level of risk, and the resilience…
Publication | 2015
Learning our lessons : a review of alternative livelihood projects in Central Africa
Bushmeat hunting represents one of the biggest threats to tropical forest ecosystems. In addition to the use of top-down approaches (such as the enforcement of national hunting laws), alternative livelihood projects have been implemented at the community level with the aim of reducing hunting…
Story | 11 Mar, 2015
Looking beyond boundaries for flooding solutions
The inhabitants of Monterrico Reserve in Guatemala had perceived an increase in the intensity and frequency of floods over recent years as a result of alterations made to the watersheds that had been made by sugar mills operating in the reserve’s surroundings.
Story | 11 Mar, 2015
Ecosystems key to protection from hurricanes
A study conducted in the United States following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina has concluded that natural landscapes can contribute greatly to reducing disaster risk from storms if they are well managed.