Ecosystem

COP11, Bucarest 2012.

Power of partnerships needed for world's wetlands

At the opening of the 11th Conference of the Contracting Parties (CoP) of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre called on governments to support strong partnerships as key to moving from aspiration to implementation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. …  

06 Jul 2012 | News story

Congress participants during the 2008 IUCN Congress in Barcelona

Last few hours for discounts on Congress fees

2012 is a busy year for environmental decision-making, with many large-scale conventions taking place. But the IUCN World Conservation Congress is a unique event with a unique audience. It is the only global summit that represents every aspect of conservation, bringing together leaders of all levels – from governments and international NGOs to academia and local charities. …   | French | Spanish

05 Jul 2012 | News story

The Sangha Trinational is recommended to be added on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Six natural wonders declared World Heritage Sites

St. Petersburg, Russia, 2 July, 2012 (IUCN) – Sangha Trinational - shared between Cameroon, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo; Lakes of Ounianga in Chad and Chengjiang fossil site in China have been inscribed on the World Heritage List, following the recommendations of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Lena Pillars Nature Park in Russia and Western Ghats in India were also added to the prestigious list by the World Heritage Committee, a 21-nation panel. …   | French

02 Jul 2012 | News story

Peppermint shrimp inside a branching vase sponge

Reconnecting science to policy in Europe and beyond

“Scientific research is an essential foundation for the implementation of any policy in favour of biodiversity. We need to improve data on biodiversity and its dissemination between the scientific community, policymakers and civil society both at the EU and global levels,” urged Mr Gaston Franco, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) during the recent briefing session on IPBES, the new global science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The briefing report is now available. …   | French

02 Jul 2012 | News story

Woman with baby at local water well, Zambia.

Protected Areas presented as natural solutions to global environmental challenges at RIO +20

Climate change, food security, water stress, land degradation and biodiversity loss will become some of the greatest environmental challenges in the next decades, exacerbated by rising temperatures, more erratic rainfall and rising pressure on land and natural resources. Protected areas cover only 12.7% of terrestrial areas and 6.3% of coastal and marine ecosystems, but provide multiple services that can help people to cope with these changes. A joint event at the RIO +20 Summit on Sustainable Development focused on these key roles protected areas can play in promoting sustainable land and resource management, as well as contribute to the green economy. …  

28 Jun 2012 | News story
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The Kaieture waterfall in Guyana, the world's tallest single drop water fall, proudly stands 275m high.

Water - it's irreplaceable

At the Rio Dialogues, civil society and business showed through their online votes and panelist speeches increasing leadership when it comes to water issues. And interesting enough, the right to water was not the number one recommendation passed on to the heads of States. …  

22 Jun 2012 | News story
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Rio+20: UN Conference on Sustainable Development

20 years on, civil society leads in Rio

Governments are leaving the UN’s Sustainable Development Summit (Rio +20) with a big deal but little action. Groups of civil society and business have proved they can lead the way towards a sustainable future. …  

22 Jun 2012 | News story

Julia Marton-Lefèvre

Commitments coming through in Rio

As world leaders pour in to Rio de Janeiro for the UN's Sustainable Development Summit civil society, business and governments are making commitments that will make a difference, according to IUCN's Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre. …  

21 Jun 2012 | News story

Verónica Arias, del Centro de Derecho Ambiental, y Víctor Hugo Inchausty, Director regional (ai) de UICN-Sur.

South American States Frustrated in Rio

With just two days left there is a feeling of frustration on the part of many governments here at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in Rio. And many of those are from South America. …  

21 Jun 2012 | News story

Dinaric Arc - Transboundary Cooperation

At the crossroads of conservation and development

Transboundary cooperation among adjacent countries epitomizes the ambition of the Rio +20 conference. As discussed during the side event organized by IUCN and the Italian Government (DGCS) at the UN Conference on sustainable development (Rio+20), it offers some early results and insights into the relevance of natural resource management for the green economy. …  

18 Jun 2012 | News story


This image shows the courtship behavior of Indian Bull frogs (Holobatrachus tigerinus). During the monsoon, the breeding males become bright yellow in color, while females remain dull. The prominent blue vocal sacs of male produce strong nasal mating call.
Ecosystem management programme