UNESCO Clearinghouse on GCED

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World Heritage: A Unique Contribution to Biodiversity Conservation Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) The UNESCO World Heritage Convention is unique among international agreements as it deals with both natural and cultural heritage. By conferring one of the highest levels of protection recognized by 195 countries, it ensures a truly global commitment to safeguarding exceptional places. UNESCO natural World Heritage sites are critical for the conservation of ecosystem integrity and biodiversity. While they make up less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, they harbor more than 1/5 of mapped global species richness. This includes over 75,000 species of plants, and over 30,000 species of mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles and amphibians. Cultural World Heritage sites in particular can be an important ally in biodiversity conservation since around 20% of them are located in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). UNESCO World Heritage sites also represent a safe haven for some of the most threatened species on Earth. They are estimated to protect over 20,000 globally threatened species, and are home to some of the last individuals of many iconic species. Today, up to 1/3 of remaining elephants, tigers and pandas can be found in these sites, as well as at least 1 in 10 great apes, giraffes, lions and rhinos. However, even these highly protected sites are today threatened by global climate change and human pressures, including agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, poaching, overexploitation of resources and the proliferation of invasive species. Every 1°C increase in temperature could double the number of species exposed to dangerous climate conditions. Ensuring effective and sustained protection of UNESCO World Heritage sites and surrounding landscapes is crucial for maximizing their value as a solution to tackle the current biodiversity and climate crisis. One way of achieving this is by supporting countries to integrate World Heritage into their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), as they are key to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

World Heritage Forests: Carbon Sinks Under Pressure Year of publication: 2021 Author: Tales Carvalho Resende | David Gibbs | Nancy Harris | Elena Osipova Corporate author: UNESCO | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) | World Resources Institute This report provides the first global scientific assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration in forests found in UNESCO World Heritage sites.World Heritage forests, whose combined area of 69 million hectares is roughly twice the size of Germany, are some of the most biodiversity-rich habitats on Earth and play a crucial role in climate regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. However, these forests are under increasing anthropogenic pressures, including climate change.By combining remote sensing data with site-level monitoring, this report has quantified the climate benefits of World Heritage forests for the first time, assessed the impacts on carbon of common threats to World Heritage forests and identified sites that are net carbon sources. It therefore provides information to facilitate dialogues between policymakers and local stakeholders for the development of effective solutions aimed at maintaining the continuing role of World Heritage forests as sinks and stable carbon stores for future generations.

World Heritage Glaciers: Sentinels of Climate Change Year of publication: 2022 Corporate author: UNESCO | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) It outlines the importance of glaciers for sustaining life, their role as indicators of climate change, and their accelerated retreat due to global warming. The report emphasizes the urgent need to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C, which could save glaciers in two-thirds of World Heritage sites. Additionally, it underscores the importance of adaptive measures like improved monitoring networks, early warning systems, and targeted policies to address the inevitable changes in glacierized areas. It also advocates for inclusive stakeholder engagement, particularly involving Indigenous Peoples and local communities, to develop effective responses to the challenges posed by climate change. The document serves as a call to action for international cooperation and collaboration to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage glaciers and ensure their continued benefits for humanity.

Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context Year of publication: 2022 Author: Sarah Court | Eugene Jo | Richard Mackay | Mizuki Murai | Riki Therivel Corporate author: UNESCO | International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) | International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) | Korea R. Cultural Heritage Administration As the World Heritage Convention celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022, over 1100 sites around the world are recognized as World Heritage - places that are so valuable to humanity that there conservation has been deemed our collective responsibility. Yet many of these exceptional places face increasing pressure from diverse types of development projects within and around the sites. Assessing the impacts of such projects – before deciding to proceed with their implementation – is essential to both prevent damage to World Heritage and identify sustainable options.The Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context is the go-to reference that explains the process for achieving these goals. Offering practical tips and tools including checklists and a glossary, it provides a framework for conducting impact assessments for cultural and natural heritage sites.Developed by UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee, ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN, this Guidance and Toolkit fosters cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary collaboration to identify solutions for both protecting World Heritage sites and supporting good quality and appropriate development . States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, heritage managers, decision-makers, planners and developers are invited to use it to help realise our collective commitment to passing on our precious heritage to future generations.

Enhancing our heritage toolkit 2.0: assessing management effectiveness of World Heritage properties and other heritage places Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO | International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) | International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) <Short summary>EoH 2.0 toolkit helps assess management effectiveness in World Heritage places World Heritage properties are internationally recognized as places of Outstanding Universal Value that should benefit from the highest level of management effectiveness. Despite the best efforts to conserve these places for present and future generations, many are under threat from a range of factors. These include inappropriate development, mass tourism, pollution, resource extraction or climate change, to name but a few.What can be done to better respond to factors negatively affecting World Heritage places? Do management processes influence conservation results? If so, how can critical management weaknesses be identified and improved?The Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit 2.0 offers a self-assessment methodology to evaluate management effectiveness in a World Heritage property or other heritage place. It contains 12 tools that can be used separately or collectively to understand in detail what is working well and what can be done better. To facilitate their use, the tools are accompanied by worksheets, in the form of either a template to help compile information in a systematic way or a questionnaire, both of which can be adapted to the specific needs of each heritage place.The Toolkit supports managers in identifying ways to improve conservation practices, management processes and resource allocation – particularly if used before reviewing or updating management plans. While there is a focus on World Heritage, it can be applied to all heritage places, whether natural, cultural or combinations of both.