IUCN CEESP Newsletter

January 2020

Migration of humans and other species is widely predicted to increase in large numbers due to environmental change (e.g., climate change and environmental degradation) and violent conflict. Both can accelerate and exacerbate migration with direct and indirect impacts for conservation.

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Yam holds a special place in Beninese culture; apart from being one of the few staple crops that were not introduced during the colonial period such as rice and corn, yam is indigenous to this region and eaten widely throughout West Africa. What happens when land typically used for yam production, is no longer suitable to cultivate due to drought, erosion and environmental degradation?

Starving migratory Oriental Storks have been found in northeast China this wintering season. Fieldinvestigations found that the lack of food in unfriendly Protected Areas, as well as poisoning, were among the main reasons. This lead to an reflection on area-based conservation measures of the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework.

A recent report from the Roads Less Travelled initiative and partners looks at the position of mobile pastoralists in World Heritage sites, drawing on nine case studies. Some World Heritage sites have integrated pastoralism centrally into management, in others, pastoralists are still regarded as a “problem”; clear safeguards and guidance on mobile pastoralism are needed for World Heritage sites.

It has taken almost 20 years for the roles and contributions of indigenous peoples and local communites in climate change resilience to be recognized. However, at the UNFCCC COP25 in December, 2019, the two-year workplan of the Facilitative Working Group (FWG) of Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples' Platform (LCIPP) had been adopted to formally recognize the values and roles of indigenous traditional knowledge and cultural pratices.

Dr. Gruber's book, publishing in Spring 2020, entitled Building Community - Twelve Principles for a Healthy Future, looks through 28 case studies of communities around the world conserving natural resources while promoting economic and social justice, this resource gives concrete examples of how leaders can engage their communities to enhance their well-being.

A new report was released at the COP25 climate meeting in Madrid, “Addressing the climate change and poverty nexus: A coordinated approach in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement”. The report, produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), shows how the effectiveness of climate mitigation and adaptation can be improved when tied together with poverty reduction and food security (and vice versa).

Tracking rare mountain gorillas is on the bucket list of many a traveller – both at the luxury end of the market and for backpackers. But what about the people who live in the same places as gorillas? Dilys Roe reports on a project helping local people to develop new businesses that benefit from tourism.

The Natural Resource Governance Framework (NRGF) initiative made important progress in 2019 in expanding outreach, supporting use of the Framework within IUCN secretariat programmes and learning. We look forward to continuing this work in 2020, including with an eye towards sharing experiences and enabling broader engagement at the World Conservation Congress. Hope to see you there!

The global rush to develop the ‘blue economy’ risks harming both the marine environment and human wellbeing. Bold policies and actions are urgently needed. This paper outlines five priorities to chart a course towards an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable blue economy.

Ganga, the mighty river rising in the Himalayas is lifeline to millions. It has various references to it; for some it’s Moksh Daini (Salvation provider) for others natural sources of mineral and nutrients and a living legend who has witnessed history. It supports the existence human and wildlife alike despite the severe anthropogenic threats.