IUCN - News

New video release on water cooperation

2012-08-28

A full session at Stockholm World Water Week yesterday saw the official unveiling of plans and communication tools to help promote 2013 as the UN’s International Year of Water Cooperation.

One month to go before WCC: zooming in on Food Security

2012-08-06

With one month to go before the start of the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC), Mark Smith, Director Global Water Programme, highlights the challenges and solutions on one of the Congress' main themes: Food Security.

More solar systems for Tonga

2012-03-30

43 new solar home systems have been installed and are now in full operation on the island of Lofanga in the Kingdom of Tonga. This is the third solar project completed by IUCN Oceania and the Government of Tonga, with support from the Governments of Italy and Austria, in the remote islands of Ha'apai.

Think dams, think people

2012-03-14

Marseille, 14 March 2012 - When building large dams, benefits to local communities can go hand in hand with broader national development objectives, shows a study launched today by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and IIED (International Institute for Environment and Development) at the World Water Forum in Marseille.

World Water Forum: nature takes centre stage

2012-03-10

Natural ‘infrastructure’ such as river basins, forests, lakes and wetlands, plays a key role in addressing today’s global water needs and must be an integral part of every country’s water management portfolio, says IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) at the World Water Forum starting in Marseille on Monday 12 March.

IUCN expertise in UN push for sustainable energy for all

2012-01-22

IUCN’s Director General joined United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi this week to outline his Sustainable Energy for All initiative to the media.

New Video: Adapting to climate change in Eastern and Southern Africa

2012-01-16

In Africa, millions will suffer from climate change impacts on agriculture, water availability, ecosystem services and biodiversity. It's urgent for countries in the region to take action to reduce vulnerability and enhance local communities' capacity to adapt.

Carrots and sticks for sustainable biofuels

2011-10-06

In an independent report launched by a consortium of industry and non-governmental organizations, IUCN promotes an innovative policy approach to address the risk of indirect land use change through biofuel production. This involves encouraging and rewarding practices that proactively reduce this risk and penalizing producers who take no action.

IUCN addresses food, water and energy security at UN meeting

2011-09-28

IUCN Director General, Julia Marton-Lefèvre, chaired a high-level discussion on food, water and energy security during the recent meeting of the UN Secretary General’s High Level Group on Sustainable Energy for All. She championed the theme that energy, water and food security rely on ecosystem services and in order to safeguard them, we must invest in nature’s supporting role.

IUCN helps to identify complex links between bioenergy and water

2011-08-26

IUCN contributed to a UNEP-led report exploring the links between bioenergy and water, which was launched at the World Water Forum this week. IUCN emphasised the role of environmental flows in managing potential trade-offs with other users including biofuel producers.

World Water Week: Nature turns on the tap

2011-08-21

How do we ensure safe access to water and sanitation for the planet’s growing urban population? This question will be discussed at the World Water Week from 21-27 August in Stockholm. The theme this year is ‘Responding to Global Changes: Water in an Urbanising World’. IUCN’s answer comes from nature itself.

Joint Statement on the Recognition of the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels Certification System by the European Commission

2011-07-19

The Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), a leading multi-stakeholder initiative that supports the development of sustainable biofuels, has received official recognition by the European Commission (EC) for meeting the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

New video release: dialogue on dams in West Africa

2011-06-30

A new documentary film, entitled 'Large dams in West Africa: Building the Dialogue' was recently released and made available on YouTube, in order to raise awareness and communicate the work of IUCN in facilitating dialogue on dam developments in West Africa.

Natural infrastructure part of the hydropower debate

2011-06-24

During the recent World Congress on Advancing Sustainable Hydropower in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, IUCN shared its views on the role of natural infrastructure in securing renewable energy supplies and enhancing sustainable development.

80% of energy through renewables by 2050

2011-05-31

The world can be powered by more renewable energy and we don’t need to delay the transition to more sustainable energy sources, says IUCN.

Managing the impacts of offshore energy generation in Europe

2011-05-02

Claude Ganty of IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar Programme outlines the environmental implications of the drive to generate renewable energy from the sea and IUCN’s work to address them.

Blue gold

2011-05-01

The oceans already provide goods and services worth billions. But if we need any more reason to protect them, just imagine the vast untapped potential they offer for scientific innovation, not least in the areas of renewable energy and medical research.

Expanding IUCN’s science engagement for better conservation

2011-04-29

IUCN welcomes distinguished scientists from around the world and a wide variety of disciplines to the new IUCN Science Advisory Board.

On thin ice: Vulnerable Arctic treasures identified

2011-04-27

A report released today identifies 13 of the richest and most vulnerable places in the Arctic Ocean that should be considered for protection as summer sea ice melts and industrial activity expands into newly accessible areas.

IUCN Commission on Environmental Law reaches out to newly formalised International Renewable Energy Agency

2011-04-21

IUCN, through representatives of the its Commission on Environmental Law (CEL), attended the final Preparatory Commission Meeting and the Inaugural Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which took place in Abu Dhabi on 3 - 5 April 2011. At an audience with the newly elected Director General, Adnin Amin from Kenya, he expressed the desire to work with other organizations like IUCN, and obtain research assistance.