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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

Ecosystem and species restoration to benefit people and the planet

24 March 2022

Ecosystems provide multiple environmental, economic and social benefits. However, ecosystem degradation and loss is now a serious threat to planetary health and stability.

UNEP-WCMC&...

New wildlife data visualisation platform reveals trends in internat...

09 March 2022

A new, interactive, online tool for visualising data and trends in the international trade in endangered species is being launched today: CITES Wildlife TradeView.

Our sustainable future depends on gender equality

08 March 2022

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2022, we shine a light on UNEP-WCMC key projects exploring and promoting gender equality.

Research shows reintroduction of 20 species could restore large mam...

15 February 2022

New research has revealed how the reintroduction of just 20 key species could boost biodiversity by restoring natural large mammal populations across swathes of the Earth.

UNEP-WCMC celebrates and supports women in science

11 February 2022

Despite significant progress in their participation in higher education, women are still under-represented in science: at present, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women. At UNEP-WCMC,...

The value of freshwater ecosystems and the benefits from their rest...

02 February 2022

As part of this year's World Wetlands Day celebrations, UNEP-WCMC is highlighting the importance of one particular type of wetland, freshwater ecosystems, and how we have worked w...

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