• Story 6 Feb 26

    Shaping the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment: explore key resources from UNEP-WCMC 

    Recognizing the important role of businesses in responding to the biodiversity crisis, IPBES is set to release their Business and Biodiversity Assessment, in which UNEP-WCMC has been centrally involved.  Author: Elspeth Grace, Programme Officer, Nature Economy  Nature loss is no longer a distant risk. Businesses, finance and society face direct consequences from the biodiversity crisis, exacerbated by climate change. Healthy ecosystems…

    Shaping the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment: explore key resources from UNEP-WCMC 
  • Comment 4 Feb 26

    An introduction to the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment from its co-chair 

    Ahead of the launch of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment, co-chair Matt Jones explains how this first-of-its-kind report moves the world closer to living in harmony with nature. There is an old stereotype that people who advocate for the environment and those involved in business sit on different sides of the table, locked into inevitably adversarial positions. That is changing.   The latest science and research enable us to look at this through…

    An introduction to the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment from its co-chair 
  • Hammerhead shark (Sphyrnidae) swimming in tropical underwaters. 3d illustration rendering
    News 26 Jan 26

    UNEP-WCMC and Google to harness AI to tackle unsustainable wildlife trade 

    The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and Google are seeking to harness previously untapped data to help the plants and animals most threatened by global wildlife trade.   New funding from Google.org’s $20 million AI for Science Fund has been awarded to support UNEP-WCMC in its cutting-edge use of artificial intelligence for applied scientific research.   The overexploitation of animals and plants is a major threat driving species to extinction. In recognition of this, the Convention on International Trade in…

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    UNEP-WCMC and Google to harness AI to tackle unsustainable wildlife trade 
  • News 12 Jan 26

    What’s next for biodiversity conservation? Insights from the 2026 Horizon Scan 

    The now published 2026 Global Horizon Scan highlights 15 emerging issues for biodiversity conservation in the decade ahead.  Author: Dr. Thiago Uehara, Principal Specialist, Nature-Based Solutions team  Each year, a panel of conservation scientists, policymakers and practitioners work together to identify issues that could shape biodiversity action in the decade ahead. The 2026 Global Horizon Scan, now published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, highlights 15 emerging issues…

    What’s next for biodiversity conservation? Insights from the 2026 Horizon Scan 
  • News 8 Jan 26

    Introducing the WDPCA: Protected planet is evolving 

    There have been exciting new changes for Protected Planet, including a bringing together and rebrand of the flagship databases into the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas. These changes will streamline the reporting process for data providers, expand the options for data analysis, and provide added transparency around the impact of protected and conserved areas (PCAs) on the world’s biodiversity.…

    Introducing the WDPCA: Protected planet is evolving 
  • Hands old women agriculture holding and care plant tree keep environment and nature.  Growth of plants reduce global saving biodiversity nature.  Ecology and environment Concept
    Impact 17 Dec 25

    Delivering hope through action: 5 ways UNEP-WCMC contributed to a sustainable future for people and nature in 2025

    We share five ways we contributed to supporting people and nature in 2025.  During 2025 we generated real world impact, from fostering public and private sector collaboration to deliver for nature, to advancing progress against the full range of ambitions of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and key elements of the Sustainable Development Goals. Below, we share five ways we contributed to reducing biodiversity loss to benefit people and planet.  1. We…

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    Delivering hope through action: 5 ways UNEP-WCMC contributed to a sustainable future for people and nature in 2025
  • News 11 Dec 25

    A wide range of species benefit from increased protections at CITES CoP20 

    UNEP-WCMC experts contribute to new protections for a range of species at CITES CoP20.  A team of UNEP-WCMC biodiversity experts travelled to Samarkand, a major city in Uzbekistan, for the 20th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20). The Convention…

    A wide range of species benefit from increased protections at CITES CoP20 
  • grass with roots and soil
    News 5 Dec 25

    Exploring soil health monitoring in the European Union

    To celebrate World Soil Day 2025, we reflect on the EU Soil Health BENCHMARKS project to raise awareness about the importance of healthy soils and soil health monitoring.   Soils are essential not just for growing food, but also more widely for the functioning of ecosystems, including climate regulation, habitat provision, nutrient cycling and water regulation.…

    Exploring soil health monitoring in the European Union
  • News 26 Nov 25

    UNEP-WCMC Updates the Global Critical Habitat Screening Layer 

    UNEP-WCMC experts provide a crucial update to the global Critical Habitat screening layer.  In a paper published this month, UNEP-WCMC, alongside partner institutions, released a comprehensive update to the global Critical Habitat screening layer, finding a significant increase in areas defined as “Potential” or “Likely Critical Habitat”. In this case, “Critical Habitat” refers to areas…

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    UNEP-WCMC Updates the Global Critical Habitat Screening Layer