Forest Futures: JCDT's Vision for a Greener Blue and John Crow Mountains

The project’s overall objective was to protect and conserve the Beisa Oryx in Nakuprat-Gotu Community Conservancy in Northern Kenya through community buy in and stewardship. This was to be achieved through enhanced conservancy governance, improved wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching patrols by rangers, running conservation awareness programs within the community settlement areas and schools, sustainable land management, and providing alternative income streams for charcoal sellers and subsistence poachers. This project is part of the IUCN Save Our Species African Wildlife initiative, co-funded by the European Union.

Challenges that were addressed:

Poaching of the Beisa Oryx 

Habitat destruction through the cutting of trees to produce charcoal 

The Beisa Oryx population increased from a baseline of 719 at the beginning of the project to 881 after one year during the project. This was majorly because the project provided alternative livelihood options for community members through vocational training skills which dissuaded them

Fish plays a crucial role in global food and nutrition security, particularly for food-insecure households. In this solution, the GIZ Global Programme Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (GP Fish) highlights the significance of fish in combating malnutrition and promoting healthy diets. By integrating scientific research with extensive field data and practical solutions, the program offers a comprehensive overview of the current situation in various countries and suggests a way forward. Blue foods, such as fish from aquaculture, are identified as a promising source of protein and nutrients, especially in low-income and food-deficit regions. Smallholder fish production offers nutritional, economic, and environmental benefits, making it a vital component of the diets of vulnerable communities. The evidence underscores the need to boost the supply of fish in local markets. Fish from small-scale aquaculture not only addresses nutrition insecurity and poverty but also supports the sustainable transformation of food systems.

The Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, faces significant threats from past conflicts, poaching, deforestation, and gold mining, all of which endanger its rich biodiversity. Iconic species such as the Dama gazelle and Barbary sheep are particularly at risk. This project seeks to safeguard this critical habitat by mitigating threats, expanding ecological knowledge, and actively engaging local communities in conservation efforts, while also addressing their health and livelihood needs. However, major challenges persist, including security concerns, the remoteness of target areas, and limited resources to ensure long-term sustainability. This initiative is part of IUCN’s Save Our Species African Wildlife program, co-funded by the European Union.

The Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi has ensured the safety of forest resources and the stability of biodiversity through the rigorous implementation of a series of laws and regulations, the forest resource protection responsibility system, and the enforcement of patrolling systems. By establishing research bases for the monitoring of key species, collaborating with numerous universities and research institutions, and executing projects such as those funded by WWF and GEF, the reserve actively engages in a variety of promotional activities, strengthens community co-management initiatives, and diligently fulfills its commitment to biodiversity conservation and ecological environment protection.

The burgeoning specialty coffee sector in DRC offers a compelling example of how regenerative agricultural practices can enhance both environmental sustainability and market value. By focusing on producing high-quality coffee and implementing improved farming techniques, Congolese coffee farmers are tapping into a growing global demand for ethically sourced specialty coffee. Higher product standards command premium prices and contribute to increased economic resilience within local communities. 

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) funded a partnership between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Nespresso, and TechnoServe through this project. Through Nespresso’s AAA Sustainable quality program, the project supported the sustainability of smallholder coffee farming households in South Kivu, DRC, while working to restore and revitalize degraded natural environments. Nespresso, TechnoServe, and DRC coffee farmers and cooperatives have partnered since 2019.

The capacity of cities as landscapes to support biodiversity is accepted as one of the critical steps necessary to halt global biodiversity loss and also address the other two aspects of the triple planetary crisis, climate change and pollution. The intent of the report is to communicate opportunities for the integration of nature and biodiversity into the building scale, through the measures implemented within the individual building structure. The document provides context by reviewing global agreements and initiatives that support these themes, and discusses leading examples from global cities before providing a more in-depth review of the range of initiatives from eight European municipalities.