The newly adopted EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030 with benefits for people, the climate and the planet. In the post-COVID context, the Biodiversity Strategy aims to build our societies’ resilience to future threats such as climate change impacts, forest fires, food insecurity or disease outbreaks, including by protecting wildlife and fighting illegal wildlife trade. Read more

IUCN welcomes the new EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030. In view of the world post COVID-19, it is essential that EU Member States embrace this Strategy and adopt all necessary measures to ensure the targets are achieved. We also need to define specific actions in consultation with stakeholders, to guarantee the central role for nature, that will lead to an effective and sustainable recovery and a resilient future society. Read more

Our future is intrinsically linked with the state of nature and health of ecosystems. If we are to build a sustainable future, our society at large needs to undergo a transformational change. The EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy is a promising first step toward our common goal of making a more sustainable and resilient society. A question that remains is – will it work? Read more

There is a need to recognise the value and  place nature at the heart of the regional policy, stressed members of the Biodiversity Task Force of South East Europe during the online consultations on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, with European Commission Directorates General in charge of the process and moderated by the Regional Cooperation Council. Read more

The grantees of SOS Central Asia are taking on ambitious tasks in research and conservation action. They aim to identify and apply the best solutions to safeguard the Goitered Gazelle and Snow Leopard, both listed as Vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. Project profiles can be found here.

The Egyptian vulture, this majestic creature, a mythological bird and symbol of motherhood and care, is the last breeding vulture in Albania. Once a common species, nowadays it is on the brink of extinction. To help the survival of the remaining pairs and mitigate danger of poisoning, PPNEA has constructed two supplementary feeding stations. Fortunately, they are already in use. Read more

The 2020 field season started well for Fauna & Flora International’s sturgeon conservation team on the Rioni River in Georgia. A few weeks into the sturgeon migration season, the team discovered two specimens of the ship sturgeon, a Critically Endangered species for which no confirmed records have been reported for the region for many years. The team also captured and released the first juvenile endemic colchic sturgeon of the year. Read more

Part of the Balkan Green Belt, this area hosts exceptionally high biodiversity, represented by a large number of endemic, rare and relict plants, animals and fungi. Its valuable cultural heritage is reflected in the specific landscape formed for millennia by traditional land use. It is expected to be proclaimed a national park, as a result of joint efforts and devotion of both local and international organizations, the Government and Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning. Read more

Unique studies started on the territory of the Wrangel Island nature reserve in Chukotka, the Russian Far East. With the support of WWF-Russia, experts are testing a polar bear den search using remote-piloted vehicles for the first time. Read more

On 24 May the EUROPARC Federation invited all Parks in Europe to celebrate the European Day of Parks! The health benefits that nature offers us were highlighted and many joined this online celebration by using #ParksForHealth on social media! Recently, EUROPARC also launched its Healthy Parks Healthy People Europe programme, to support parks and protected areas to deliver better outcomes for the health of people and nature. Read more

Reinforcing the efforts, energy, and resources of the partners to reach or surpass Global Biodiversity Target 11 in 2020. It is composed of regional networks of partners, including governments, civil society, and donors, aiming to coordinate their activities and priority actions towards this shared goal. Read more

CNVP distributed more than 100 basic household tools for agriculture, protection masks and gloves, to support and facilitate safer work environment for the women and farmers in the remote area of Gramsh, one of the poorest areas in Albania amidst the current pandemic. Read more

Awareness-raising, capacity building and dialogues traditionally support effective implementation of the environmental law. A recent shift is introducing new technologies into courts, such as Earth Observation resulting in the use of satellite images as a supporting means of proof. Read the opinion piece by Li Ning, IUCN Environmental Law Centre.

Countries of the Western Balkans are turning to innovative solutions to increase community resilience to disasters such as floods and landslides, and to adapt to longer-term effects of climate change and environmental degradation. Two pilot projects will focus on flood-prone areas to build community resilience and reduce further disaster risks in Albania and Serbia. Read more

“I look forward to working with IUCN’s Membership, its Commission experts and, of course, the dedicated staff around the world. Together, I’m confident that we can build a world in which a more sustainable use of natural resources can bring greater benefits to humanity," said Dr Oberle. Read more

A call to indigenous peoples and local communities and other knowledge holders from all over the world to contribute to three new biodiversity assessments: (1) Sustainable use of wild species, (2) Diverse conceptualisations of multiple values of nature, and (3) Invasive alien species. Closes on 15 September 2020. Read more

From the air we breathe, to the water we drink and the food we grow, our environment impacts our health in many ways. The science is clear: the destruction of nature hurts people across the globe. We need a new human right: the right to a healthy natural environment. Join our call to add Article 31 to the Universal Declaration of Human rights. Read more

IUCN published best practices of the water-energy-food nexus in the form of several case studies to showcase how increased returns on investment opportunities can be achieved by applying a nexus approach. Read more

CEC, WCPA and #NatureForAll proudly introduce this interactive platform featuring materials that can help connect people with nature. As many children in the region are out of school because of the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with the goal of integrating and disseminating knowledge, we as a network have a great potential to share our resources for educators and families to experience and learn about nature, from their balconies, protected areas or virtually. Share yours! Read more

IUCN launched the report “Approaches to sustainable agriculture”, a referential document for the key approaches, concepts, and practices being considered by practitioners, researchers, and policy makers today. It aims to help with the implementation of the recently launched EU Green Deal, in particular the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. Read more

Interested in advancing best practices to protect the interconnections of protected and conserved areas, and to restore degraded or fragmented ecosystems. The Guidelines introduce common definitions, highlight applications around the world with 25 case studies, and recommend designation of ecological corridors that knit together protected and conserved areas forming ecological networks for conservation. Read more

Many sports events depend on a healthy natural environment and their organisers should take concrete steps to protect it, according to a new guide published IUCN, in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee. Read more

IUCN is gearing up worldwide for the launch of a tool that will redefine our relationship with nature. The Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions aims to help governments, NGOs, and business design, invest and scale-up robust, durable actions for deriving benefits for people and nature. Register to join the launch on 23 July 

The EUROPARC Federation will organise its first ever online conference 8-9 September 2020 and invites all nature professionals to join! This innovative event will explore what skills and capacities Protected Areas need to address in these changing times, to implement the new EU strategies and respond to COVID-19. Let’s get future-ready, together at the EUROPARC Conference 2020! Read more

Humanity’s relationship with the natural world is more important than ever. At the IUCN Congress, experts showcase the latest conservation science, policy and best practice. IUCN’s government, civil society and indigenous peoples’ Member organisations vote to set priorities for nature conservation and sustainable development actions for the decades ahead. IUCN and France have postponed the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020 to 7-15 January 2021. Read more

The six Commissions unite 13,000 volunteer experts that assess the state of the world’s natural resources and provide the Union with sound know-how and policy advice on conservation issues. Joining one of them you are entering a committed team of experts dealing with issues related to conservation and environmental protection. Learn more

Being a Member of IUCN enables you to both advance your own cause and to strengthen common action in overcoming barriers to a sustainable future. Through IUCN, members become part of a collective and global voice on important issues of our age. Learn more