Policies
UNEP-WCMC does not assert any intellectual property rights in the data made available to it by data providers.
Access to UNEP-WCMC datasets is provided on the understanding that you read and consent to be bound by the Terms and Conditions set out in the policies below.
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International Policy and Strategy
UNEP-WCMC actively supports the development and implementation of policy at all levels through improving access to the data, information and knowledge necessary for supporting decision making. The Centre also actively supports others in improving their own capacity for managing and using data, information and knowledge in decision making. The following are examples of the Centre’s work at global, regional and national levels.
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International Agreements
For more than 30 years UNEP-WCMC has delivered services that support the implementation of international biodiversity-related agreements at global, regional and national levels. Working closely with UNEP, we not only support the work of the agreement secretariats, but also the work of advisory and governance bodies, and governments and others working to implement the agreements.
MoreHarmonization of Reporting
Almost every international agreement places an obligation on governments to provide regular reports on implementation and other information. This places quite a burden on national agencies, particularly in developing countries. UNEP-WCMC has been working for some years on opportunities for streamlining reporting processes, and for harmonizing approaches to reporting at both national and global levels.
MoreSupport for CITES implementation
UNEP-WCMC manages the CITES Trade Database on behalf of the Convention, based on the annual reports made by Governments which include full details of all export and import permits and certificates issued during the previous year. In addition, UNEP-WCMC manages the CITES Species Database, which includes CITES nomenclatural, distribution and legal data for all CITES listed species. The Centre also produces a range of outputs based on these databases, which are also available online.
MoreConservation Commons
UNEP-WCMC provides the secretariat for the Friends of the Conservation Commons, which promotes free and open access to data, information and knowledge for conservation purposes. The aim of the Conservation Commons initiative is to increase access to the data, information and knowledge that already exists, while recognizing the rights and responsibilities of owners and custodians.
MoreUse of science in decision making
In recent years substantial attention has been paid to ways and means to improve the science-policy interface. UNEP-WCMC has been playing a significant technical role in many of the IPBES-related discussions, and is working to identify how the Centre can support the implementation of IPBES in the future, at the same time as helping to build capacity at the national level for using science effectively in decision-making that affects biodiversity and ecosystem services.
MoreIntegrated reporting to the Rio Conventions
Working with four of the least developed countries and two small island developing states, this project aims to explore ways of improving capacity to report to the three Rio Conventions. Specific objectives are to: develop integrated approaches to data collection/analysis and information management relevant to the Conventions at the national level; increase synergies in the process of reporting to the three conventions; and contribute to improved overall planning and decision-making processes at the national level with respect to implementation of the three conventions.
MoreUN-REDD Programme
As part of the UN-REDD Programme, UNEP-WCMC is working with developing countries on tools and analyses that help decision makers to safeguard and enhance the multiple benefits of REDD+. We produce analyses and guidance on this topic, including spatial analyses of areas of overlap between carbon, biodiversity and other ecosystem services. Substantial work has also been carried out on the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) requirements for REDD/REDD+.
MoreEU Widlife Trade Regulations
UNEP-WCMC provides a wide range of services to the European Commission in support of the effective implementation of the European Union’s Wildlife Trade Regulations, the legislation that provides for the enforcement of CITES within EU Member States.
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