The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has today released our latest Impact Report showcasing the Centre’s work in 2022-2023. The report celebrates UNEP-WCMC’s recent achievements with partners in tackling the global nature crisis. Key among these is the critical role of our policy and technical experts in supporting the agreement of the most…
Scientists at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) have spearheaded new research identifying 32 global ‘darkspots’ where plant species are yet to be scientifically named, described and mapped. There is a critical need to expand scientific knowledge of the world’s plants and fungi to help better understand the composition of ecosystems, their…
The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has been announced as an Ocean Census partner, a landmark programme aimed at accelerating the discovery and protection of ocean life. Ocean Census is a collaborative initiative launched in April 2023 with the goal of identifying at least 100,000 new marine species within the next decade.…
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New research has mapped existing and potential transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs) across Africa, revealing: There are at least 27 existing TBCAs in Africa, covering an area of 847,158 km2 There are 8,481 potential TBCAs, made up of possible combinations of 2,326 individual protected areas (PAs), which would in total cover nearly 2,000,000 km2 – an…
This week, experts from the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) are in Bonn, Germany, for the annual meeting of the intergovernmental body that provides an interface between science and policy on biodiversity and ecosystem services: the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Between now and Friday, the 10th session of…
A new review by marine experts has revealed the locations, primary sources of funding and beneficiaries of large-scale marine and coastal restoration efforts taking place around the world. The report, Endangered Seascapes: Progress, needs and opportunities for seascape restoration focuses on large, “seascape”-scale projects, recognising the importance of integrated approaches to the use and conservation…
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A new study into the safeguarding of wildlife threatened by international trade has revealed: two-fifths of species identified as likely threatened by the international wildlife trade are not covered by the global agreement that regulates it; which means 904 species likely threatened by international trade are without international trade protections; this includes 370 species that…
Today is the International Day of the Tropics, the UN day dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary diversity of the tropics. It is also an opportunity to highlight the challenges and opportunities that nations in this rapidly changing region face. The tropics lie roughly in the middle of the globe, surrounding the Equator and covering nearly…
Tropical and temperate coral reefs connect natural and human systems in a way that supports long-term human development and well-being, and marine biodiversity. The enormous abundance and diversity of life found on these shallow reefs provide ecosystem services upon which several billions of people depend. However, many of these services are at severe risk due…
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