The Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group (ELG) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in Asia, was formed in the beginning of 2003 to better reflect, and deliver, an ecosystems and livelihoods approach to nature conservation – one that is based on simultaneously improving both the socio-economic and environmental situation of the region.

The essence of the way in which it works is to maximize the positive influences of people’s livelihoods on ecosystems and of ecosystems on people’s livelihoods. The ecosystems and livelihoods approach, as reflected in the Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group's work, is thus based on the application of three conceptual models and sets of tools: (i) the ecosystem approach; (ii) the sustainable livelihood framework; and, (iii) a pro-poor focus

In doing so, the work of ELG aligns with, and directly contributes to, goals and interventions of a global scale, including a number of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

ELG is composed of the eight regional thematic programmes of Asia - biodiversity, environmental economics, environmental law, forests, marine and coastal resources, mountains, protected areas, and water and wetlands. These thematic programmes work together as a multi-disciplinary team, which permits ecosystems and livelihoods to be addressed in a more comprehensive and holistic way > Read more on ELG.

ELG's Goals
	Testing and validating what an ecosystems and livelihoods approach means in practice
	Strengthening scientific information for conservation and demonstrating conservation planning tools
	influencing both conservation and development sectors
	Identifying and promoting legal, policy, institutional, economic and financial instruments, which will promote good environmental governance

News & Fact Sheets
	ELG's Roles > Read more
	World Conservation Union and WWF put Sustainable Livelihoods on the Top of the Environment Agenda > News

Contact

For further information about the Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group (ELG):

Dr. T. P. SINGH
Head a.i. and Programme Coordinator
Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group - 1
IUCN - The World Conservation Union
63, Sukhumvit Soi 39, PhromPhong
Sukhumvit Road
Wattana
Bangkok
Bangkok 10110
Thailand
Tel:   +662 662 4029       
Fax: +662 662 4387
Email: tpsingh@iucnt.org

Ali Raza Rizvi
Regional Group Head (a.i)
Ecosystem & Livelihoods Group Asia
The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
4/1 Adams Avenue, Colombo 4, SRI LANKA
Ph: ++94 11 2559634/35 ext. 207
++94 11 2559636 (direct)
++94 77 3868637 (mobile)
Fax: ++94 11 2559637
email: ARR@iucnsl.org