about iucn

INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

The International Union for Conservation of Nature: working for a Just World that

Values and Conserves NatureGretel Gambarelli

IUCN Headquarters, Switzerland

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IUCN, a unique democratic union since 1948...IUCN, a unique democratic union since 1948...International Union for Conservation of NatureInternational Union for Conservation of Nature

• 10000+ voluntary experts in 6 thematic groups:

• 1000 full time staff worldwide

• 350 temporary staff, consultants and interns

• HQ in Gland, Switzerland

• Over 60 offices around the world

• 1067 Members worldwide from over 160 countries

• States, Government agencies, NGO

• Over 60 regional and national committees

Members Commissions Secretariat

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Global

Local

Governments, NGOs, research

institutes, private sector

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The Global Programme

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2009-2012 THEMATIC PROGRAM AREAS

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Human well-being: the WISP programme

• IUCN provides IFAD with advice and support on pastoralism issues for pastoralism-related portfolios through the WISP programme

• Originally a GEF project implemented by UNDP Kenya, WISP is a knowledge and advocacy network that puts together academics, practitioners and decision makers.

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Challenges for Mobile Pastoralism

• Pastoralism is a highly sustainable livelihood in economic and social terms

• In marginal lands (arid, mountainous, cold), it is the most environmentally sound activity, both for biodiversity conservation and resilient livelihoods

BUT• Policies stimulate sedentarization,

agricultural extension• Pastoralists are disempowered

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Why WISP?

• 5 yr. experience in managing knowledge on pastoralism and empowering practitioners

• Provision of mechanisms to understand the rationale of this livelihood, including own studies

• Long-term advocacy at UN fora for understanding pastoralists and pastoralism.

Gather knowledge

Apply knowledge

Develop knowledge

Refine knowledge

Distribute knowledge

Knowledge management for policy advocacy

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Climate Change: what is IUCN’s niche?

1. Integrating biodiversity considerations and opportunities into climate change policy and practice

2. Nature-based solutions to adaptation and mitigation

Ecosystem-based mitigation Ecosystem-based

adaptation

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ADAPTATION: 3 possible areas of focus

Key Area of Focus Rationale Examples of activities

1. Help biodiversity and ecosystems adapt

CC impacts on ecosystems = impacts on lives and livelihoods

• Conservation• Restoration• Relocation

2. Prevent maladaptation

Adaptation practices can have negative impacts on ecosystem services

• Environmental Impact Assessments of adaptation options in different sectors

3. Ecosystem-based Adaptation (and disaster risk reduction)

Integrating ecosystems into adaptation policy and practice helps both ecosystems and people to adapt

• Flood regulation• Shoreline Protection• Livelihood diversification• Sustainable fisheries

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Ecosystem and Livelihoods Adaptation Network (www.ELANadapt.net)

ACTIVITY AREA

EXAMPLE OF ACTIVITIES

Practice Training/guidance for practitioners; small grants for technical support and documentation of practices; knowledge exchange

Policy Training for policy makers; support in policy drafting /review; lessons learnt on integrating ecosystem management in adaptation policies

Science Make science accessible to policy makers; catalyze research on critical knowledge gaps

Network Development

Work through country nodes. Current focus is on Mekong (Vietnam), South-Eastern Africa (Tanzania, Zambia), South America (Peru, Ecuador)

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Why partnering with IUCN?

• Experience with the interface science-practice-policyStrong learning capacitiesDocumenting lessons learned for policy influencing

• Global coverage and global partnerships Regional and country offices worldwideGlobal networkingInfluencing power in international fora

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www.iucn.org

Thank you!!