Feature Stories

In Northern Sumatra and Sulawesi, boasting some of the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth and possessing staggeringly high numbers of unique plants and animals, the race to preserve these iconic species is now underway.

May 9, 2019

A race against time: combatting the illegal trade of endangered species in Indonesia
Ben Ruli, Thingreiphi Lungharwo and Dr Bo Liu work locally and internationally defending the rights of indigenous people.

May 1, 2019

UN convenes forum on indigenous issues: traditional knowledge has a lot to offer the world
These ‘magic’ oils are Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)—a group of industrial chemicals that have been banned across much of the world since the 1980s due to their acute toxicity. But it is in the power industry where their use has proved most enduring—and dangerous. Photo: yevgeniy11/Shutterstock.

April 29, 2019

The dangers of modern magic
The transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) through biofouling is a global environmental problem which requires intervention at multiple levels.

April 18, 2019

Preventing marine hitchhikers
The Altai Project is harmonising development projects by strengthening the province’s legal and institutional capacity for enhanced protection of wetland ecosystems, through protected area planning and management. Photo: UNDP China.

April 12, 2019

Common threads: Protecting the Altai Mountains and wetlands in Northwest China
Combating land degradation and restoring degraded land is an urgent priority to protect the biodiversity and ecosystem services vital to all life on Earth and to ensure human well-being. Photo: Galyna Andrushko/Shutterstock.

April 9, 2019

Warning: a sixth mass species extinction is on the cards
The World Bank, with support from the GEF, has been among the largest financiers of biodiversity conservation in Africa. Biodiversity work, amounting to about $360 million, is included in around 50 projects currently being implemented in the Africa region. Photo: EcoPrint/Shutterstock.

April 3, 2019

This is what it’s all about: protecting biodiversity in Africa
Sound environmental decision making is crucial to Saint Lucia’s ability to balance people and nature. Photo: Chris Cox/UN Environment

March 29, 2019

Paradise found: Saint Lucia preserving beauty through data and policy action
Forest degradation in Pakistan has negatively impacted communities, ecosystems, and biodiversity. As forested areas shrink, their attendant resources also disappear.

March 20, 2019

10 billion trees: reversing deforestation, tackling climate change and managing forests sustainably in Pakistan
The Kingdom of Bhutan is located amidst some of the planet’s most outstanding natural environments. Yet communities are constantly reminded of their geographical vulnerabilities and challenges, increasingly exacerbated by climate change.

March 20, 2019

Coming to grips with water: How Bhutan is overcoming water challenges magnified by the onset of climate change
The wetlands in Hubei are facing many threats. Physically, wetland degradation is the result of encroachment, water quality deterioration, and invasion of pests. Logistically, factors such as difficulty in co-ordination between departments and inadequate management capacity have threatened protected areas and biodiversity. Photo: UNDP China.

March 11, 2019

A thousand lakes: Protecting the Hubei wetland in Central China
The exploration of women’s unique knowledge to increase their income is a very innovative way of women empowerment which echoes the theme for this year's International Women’s Day: Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change. Photo: SGP Mauritius and Grandma's Secret.

March 8, 2019

Grandma's Secret: Empowering women through solar powered herbal teas
The sustainable use of natural assets is critical to Brazil’s present and future generations. But to do so while monitoring biodiversity loss and conservation efforts, it is crucial to understand the nation’s resources first. Photo: José Sabino/UN Environment.

March 5, 2019

Megadiverse Brazil: giving biodiversity an online boost
Managing ocean resources is a global responsibility that requires focus and perseverance. Thirty percent of the world’s fish stocks are overexploited, threatening fish and plant species and the ability of people who depend on marine and coastal biodiversity to earn a living and feed their families. Photo: NaniP/Shutterstock.

March 1, 2019

Sustainable fishery in the Pacific saves global tuna stocks and small islanders’ livelihoods
Jamaican iguanas were considered the country’s first farmers. Photo: Dominic Davis/UNDP Jamaica.

February 13, 2019

Jamaica's "Jurassic Park" moment