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Knowledge that makes a world of difference

UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre is a world leader in biodiversity knowledge. It works with scientists and policy makers worldwide to place biodiversity at the heart of environment and development decision-making to enable enlightened choices for people and the planet.


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Featured Projects

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Oil for Development

UNEP-WCMC, in partnership with the Norwegian Environment Agency, is working to ensure a positive relationship between oil & gas development and environmental & social responsibility in c...

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UKRI GCRF Trade, Development and the Environment Hub

UNEP-WCMC is the lead organisation for this global project, working together with partners towards sustainable trade in commodities and wild products

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The Development Corridors Partnership

The Development Corridors Partnership, led by UNEP-WCMC, is helping countries in East Africa to plan for a sustainable future.

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Framing the future for biodiversity

In 2020 a new global biodiversity framework will be agreed to replace the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets. UNEP-WCMC is well placed to support govern...

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ABNJ Deep Seas Project

The ABNJ Deep Seas Project works to achieve efficiency and sustainability in the use of deep-sea living resources, and is jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization and UN Envi...

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ENCORE

UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre is working with the Natural Capital Finance Alliance to build the knowledge base needed by financial institutions to understand thei...

Meet our Experts

Our 100-strong international team are recognised leaders in their field and have unrivalled understanding of the institutional landscape surrounding biodiversity policy and ecosystem management.

Valerie kapos

Valerie Kapos

Climate Change and Biodiversity

Valerie leads on our work on the impacts of climate change and the role of ecosystems in climate change mitigation and adaptation. In addition to overseeing and managing the work of the large Climate Change and Biodiversity team, her role includes overseeing the development of new projects and ideas, and liaising with counterparts in national governments, and with key collaborators, partners and funders.

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Neil burgess

Neil Burgess

Neil’s primary role as Chief Scientist is to oversee the scientific and technical work of UNEP-WCMC, to work to develop our profile and collaborations with external partners interested in the conservation of nature, and to promote the role data and analysis plays in effective conservation delivery. He also helps to publish leading scientific work at the science-policy interface, mentors staff in scientific delivery and ensures overall quality and scientific credibility of outputs across UNEP-WCMC.

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News

Citizen scientists and local community monitoring input is key to h...

29 April 2021

New research shows the potential for natural resource monitoring anchored in and conducted by communities to deliver credible data, inform decision-making, and empower communities in governing n...

From climate change to food security: how protected and conserved ...

28 April 2021

Protected and conserved areas provide refuge for much of the world’s most precious wildlife - but these areas also offer vital solutions to some of today’s most pressing global chall...

Scientists make new recommendations to avoid ‘helicopter research’ ...

23 April 2021

A new paper has found that mangrove research using unmanned aerial tools like drones is largely conducted in and led by institutions in higher-income countries, despite fewer mangroves being loc...

Transforming crop and timber production could cut species extinctio...

09 April 2021

Ensuring sustainability of crop and timber production would mitigate the greatest drivers of terrestrial wildlife decline, responsible for 40% of the overall extinction risk of amphibians, birds...

Healthy planet, healthy people

07 April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, devastating impacts on communities and economies across the world. This World Health Day, 7th April 2021, the importance of preventing futur...

Urban planning for the future in Shenzhen

25 March 2021

In China, there is increasing ambition within municipal governments towards designing, and redesigning, urban centres so that nature is at the heart everyday city-life.

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