Healthy ecosystems produce goods and services that provide livelihoods for people and the potential for economic development. These include fresh water, agricultural productivity, fisheries, forest products, energy and protection from natural hazards. But when human activity degrades the environment, these goods and services decline, hampering economic and social development and leaving rural, marginalized communities more vulnerable.
About conservation and social policy
Indigenous peoples and REDD-plus
Challenges and opportunities for the engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities in REDD-plus … | French
21 Jul 2010 | Downloads - document
Lessons learned from improving forest governance in Acre, Brazil
This new publication not only analyses the lessons learned in Acre, Brazil, from IUCN's global forest governance project Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC), but is itself part of an ongoing local process of social learning about governance and forests. …
24 Jun 2010 | News story
Sharing the benefits of REDD
Full participation of forest communities is indispensable for REDD-plus (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) to be a success, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says in a new study. …
10 Jun 2010 | News story
Is there a connection between gender and climate change? - Lorena Aguilar speaks
21 May 2010 | Video
New prescription needed for medicinal plants
Medicinal plants are valuable species: they provide income and healthcare to thousands of people around the world. Greater numbers of people rely on traditional medicine, mostly based on herbs, for their primary healthcare than ‘conventional’ or western medicine. But 15,000 species of medicinal plants are globally threatened from, amongst others, loss of habitat, overexploitation, invasive species and pollution. …
18 May 2010 | International news release
Forest resources and poverty alleviation: a new partnership in Mozambique
IUCN’s Mozambique country office has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Institute for Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (IPEME) to establish and operate a community-managed sandalwood bank in the district of Matutuine-Djabula for processing and trade of wood that will initially be targeted at Maputo-based artisans.
05 May 2010 | News story
Traditional knowledge key to conserving biodiversity
Climate change, unsustainable development and biodiversity loss are mounting threats to life on earth and human societies. Throughout the ages, local communities have developed knowledge and tools for survival and adaptation to their environment. But as indigenous cultures, local languages and practices are eroded, so is our civilization’s resilience to new environmental challenges. …
12 Apr 2010 | News story
Study on indigenous peoples and climate change issues made available
IUCN has undertaken an in-depth review of the concerns of indigenous peoples in relation to current international climate change and REDD-plus policy making. …
08 Apr 2010 | Downloads - document
IUCN and Members form a Conservation Initiative on Human Rights
IUCN and seven other major conservation organisations are collaborating to promote human rights in conservation … | French | Spanish
23 Mar 2010 | News story
IUCN and the Global Water Initiative partners conduct vulnerability assessment training
IUCN as part of The Global Water Initiative (GWI) conducted vulnerability assessment trainings across four countries in East Africa – Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. …
02 Dec 2009 | News story
