UNESCO Clearinghouse on GCED

13 Results found

UNESCO Science Report: The Race Against Time for Smarter Development Year of publication: 2021 Author: Susan Schneegans | Tiffany Straza | Jake Lewis Corporate author: UNESCO This seventh edition of the report monitors the development path that countries have been following over the past five years from the perspective of science governance. It documents the rapid societal transformation under way, which offers new opportunities for social and economic experimentation but also risks exacerbating social inequalities, unless safeguards are put in place.The report concludes that countries will need to invest more in research and innovation, if they are to succeed in their dual digital and green transition. More than 30 countries have already raised their research spending since 2014, in line with their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite this progress, eight out of ten countries still devote less than 1% of GDP to research, perpetuating their dependence on foreign technologies.

Earth Network Project: Connecting UNESCO-Designated Sites With Experts to Boost Biodiversity Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO The Earth Network project was launched in 2021 with the support of the Government of Italy. It brings together over 380 experts from more than 60 countries, encompassing diverse biodiversity-related fields that include land restoration, environmental management and environmental law. The specialists volunteer to put their unique skillsets and knowledge at the disposal of sites designated by UNESCO which request their assistance. The Earth Network covers all scientific domains and proudly combines different forms of knowledge: scientific, practitioner, local and indigenous. On the ground, these experts provide technical advice, collect data, build partnerships, and provide training tailored to the specific needs and priorities of each UNESCO-designated site.

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).

Nature-based Solutions: Opportunities and Challenges for Scaling Up Year of publication: 2022 Author: Charlotte Hicks | Carolina Chambi | Hemant Tripathi | Katie Dawkins | Tania Salvaterra | Kollie Tokpah | Valerie Kapos | Hashim Zaman Corporate author: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are important for the global sustainable development agenda because they offer the potential to address, in an effective way, diverse challenges such as climate change, food and water insecurity, disaster impacts, and threats to human health and wellbeing, while reducing environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. Some of the challenges addressed by NbS, including biodiversity loss and climate action, cannot be fully tackled without this contribution. This does not mean that other actions, such as rapid decarbonization of our economies, are not also essential. This report: Outlines recent developments on NbS, with a focus on global, regional and national commitments, and key issues and concerns Builds on the new multilaterally agreed definition of NbS – agreed by the UN Environment Assembly in March 2022 – to set out key elements in the concept, provides examples of NbS, and discusses related approaches Provides recommendations for actions by governments, civil society and the private sector to substantially scale up the use of NbSThe report aims to inform NbS-related initiatives and discussions on NbS at global, regional, and national levels, with a focus on how NbS can be scaled up to more effectively address social, economic, and environmental challenges.

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.

UNESCO World Heritage sites: key to biodiversity conservation Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO

Guidance on Integrating the Environment and Climate Change in Processes for United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks Year of publication: 2021 Author: Henrieta Martonakova Corporate author: Issue-based Coalition on Environment and Climate Change The guidance, which benefits from the diverse expertise of the 18 member organizations of the Coalition, looks at mainstreaming environmental and climate change considerations into the different stages of preparing the UNSDCF: The roadmap for a new cooperation frameworkThe common country analysisThe cooperation framework designThe cooperation framework implementationCooperation framework monitoring and evaluation The guidance looks deeper into mainstreaming the environment and climate change into a series of development priorities: human rights, including children’s rights and the rights of women; economic and trade development, including innovations, SMEs and decent work; food security and agriculture; infrastructure and sustainable use of resources, including energy, water and waste management; quality education; good health; good governance; and disaster reduction and conflict prevention.

Pathways for Peace with Nature: Achieving Global Biodiversity Goals in UNESCO Designated Sites; Latin America and the Caribbean Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO UNESCO designated sites in Latin America and the Caribbean harbour over 60% of the region’s mapped species richness, i.e. over 14,000 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fishes. They are also important for strengthening culture and nature linkages. However, biodiversity in these sites is threatened by human pressures and climate change and countries should take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.This publication provides a regional overview of the status and trends of species in UNESCO designated sites, as well as key information to facilitate dialogue among all stakeholders. Additionally, it promotes the development of effective actions aimed at achieving global biodiversity goals.

Pockets of Hope: Biosphere Reserves in India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives Year of publication: 2022 Corporate author: UNESCO New Delhi Biosphere Reserves contribute to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration by enlarging the total area for nature conservation via restoration projects, scientific research, monitoring and education, and by raising the awareness of the general public. Biosphere Reserves are places to apply, test and demonstrate best practices for human living in harmony with nature. They aim to enhance nature conservation, reduce the environmental footprint and keep the ecological carrying capacity of our natural ecosystems intact. It is not easy to have a site listed as a Biosphere Reserve. All sites are externally examined and checked before they are approved. Globally, there are 727 properties, 168 in Asia and the Pacific, 12 in India, 4 in Sri Lanka and 3 in the Maldives. The success with which India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are actively participating in the World Network is based on the countries’ dedication and hard work. UNESCO invites scientists, biologists, botanists, zoologists, climatologists, environmental engineers and sciencetechnology specialists to support Biosphere Reserves. Universities should use them as outdoor laboratories to improve air quality, apply clean energies, reduce pollution, enhance water availability, redress biodiversity loss and test methods for climate resilience. UNESCO encourages governments, foundations, the private sector and philanthropists to support the establishment of new additions to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Ecocentrism and GCED : Beyond Human Rights to Nature’s Rights (SangSaeng; No.63, 2024) Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: APCEIU In the context of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, global citizenship and sustainability are spotlighted through SDG Target 4.7, which underscores the importance of harmonising cultural and biological diversity.To address the urgent need for harmony between humanity and the nature, ecocentrism needs to be explored as a guiding principle for fostering ethical and sustainable coexistence.In this light, Issue 63 of SangSaeng delves into Ecocentrism—a perspective advocating for the ethical treatment of all beings and recognising their intrinsic value—alongside Global Citizenship Education (GCED). Contents 03 Editor's Note 04 Special Column- Creating Respectful, Valued Society — Strengthening Global Citizenship Education (GCED) to Combat Hate, Racism, and Discrimination Worldwide / Peter K. Ngure 08 FOCUS Ecocentrism and GCED: Beyond Human Rights to Nature’s Rights- Getting Over Ourselves — Ecocentrism: The Importance of Earth Jurisprudence, Compassionate Conservation, and Personal Rewilding / Marc Bekoff- Combating Decline of Nature’s Diversity — Global Citizenship Education for Geodiversity, Biodiversity Conservation / Eunhee Lee- Ecocentrism and Global Citizenship Education — Fostering Coexistence with Critically Endangered Primates through Citizen Science / Andie Ang- Dolphins Dream of Peace: Beyond Human Rights to Nature’s Rights / Interview with Seungmok Oh 23 Special Report- Small Actions, Global Ripples — How GCED is Revitalizing Peace / Micha Aime 26 Best Practices- What’s Good for the Community — GCED in Action Fosters Culture of Bulungi Bwansi in Uganda / Barbara Nakijoba- Sharing Emotional Sensibility in Education — Practicing Arts Opens up the Spirit of Global Citizenship / Seoyoung Bae - Teaching GCED through Liberation History — Working to Eradicate Entrenched Racism, Intolerance, Xenophobia / Charles Chikunda 36 GCED YOUTH NETWORK- How Youth Leaders Redefine Advocacy, Leading Global Change to Shape our Future — Deep Dive into South Asian Youth Declaration on GCED, Facilitation Techniques for Empowered Youth / Noora Elkenawi 39 Peace in My Memory- Pathway to Inner Peace — Journey is Interconnected with Relationships and Environment / Itseng Kwelagobe 42 Story Time- From Drops to Waves — Power of Poetry-telling in Times of Crisis / Kalpani Dambagolla & Alessia Marzano 45 Understanding the Asia Pacific Region- Central Asian Heart of Culture — Legacy of Horsemanship from Tradition to Modernity / Gulzhan Kabysheva 48 Letter- Raising a Global Citizen / Nelly Aluanga Omino 50 APCEIU in Action