Jointly published | 2021
World Heritage forests : carbon sinks under pressure
World Heritage forests are some of the most biodiversity-rich habitats on Earth and play a crucial role in climate regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. However, these forests are under increasing anthropogenic pressures, including climate change. By combining remote…
Publication | 2021
In 2005, IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage: A Global Framework (Dingwall et al., 2005). The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage. The aim of the…
Publication | 2021
Communities, conservation and livelihoods
In most places around the world, people are an integral, sometimes dominant, part of the environment. This has two implications. First, a key requirement for sustainability success lies in finding ways to meet the dual goals of conserving nature and providing for the well-being and quality of…
Publication | 2021
Cultural and spiritual significance of nature
The cultural and spiritual significance of nature has been defined as the spiritual, cultural, inspirational, aesthetic, historic and social meanings, values, feelings, ideas and associations that natural features and nature in general have for past, present and future generations of people –…
Publication | 2020
IUCN World Heritage Outlook 3 builds on three cycles of Conservation Outlook Assessments undertaken since 2014. It presents the main results for 2020, but also some longer-term trends based on a comparison of three data sets now available.
Grey literature | 2020
Natural World Heritage in Africa
This report provides a synthesis of key information on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Africa, and some guidance on how it might contribute to global conservation efforts and sustainable development in the future.
Publication | 2020
World Heritage thematic study for Central Asia
The World Heritage thematic study for Central Asia has been produced as a contribution to supporting the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Central Asia. It provides a response to a Decision of the World Heritage Committee in order to identify outstanding areas with potential for…
Grey literature | 2019
This independent technical review assesses the "Strategic environmental assessment report for the proposed Rufiji hydropower project", dated April 2019, that relates to the planned Rufiji River Hydropower Project (RRHP). The RRHP comprises a 130m high dam on the Rufiji river at Stiegler's Gorge…
Publication | 2019
Volcanoes are true wonders of the planet; they are central to the formation, evolution and sustenance of biological systems; they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land; and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal. Although the…
Publication | 2019
Second Bonn Challenge progress report
In 2011, the government of Germany and IUCN together launched the Bonn Challenge as a global commitment to bring under restoration 150 million hectares (Mha) of land by 2020. IUCN has developed the Bonn Challenge Barometer: a progress-tracking framework and tool to support pledgers in meeting…