La forêt de WEKO : Un modèle de conservation de la faune sauvage par les communautés locales dans la province de la Tshopo

The WEKO forest is located in the south of the Tshopo province, in the Isangi territory. The forest is fully located within the SODEFOR forest concession, where communities holding customary rights are supported by the Centre International de Recherche Forestière (CIFOR) as part of the wildlife component of the FORETS (Training and Research in Tshopo) project, with a view to community conservation. The main aim of the initiative is to preserve and restore wildlife species and their habitats. The WEKO forest is an important ecological corridor, providing a passageway for wildlife to the Yangambi biosphere reserve. Situated in the central basin of the Congo Basin, the WEKO forest is home to several types of forest ecosystem, including monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forests, and primary and secondary mixed forests, which provide special habitats for several animal species.

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Conservation and sustainable use of Indigenous agricultural genetic diversity in Hubei

Hubei Province, a key agricultural region in central China, boasts rich agrobiodiversity with over 6,200 crop varieties and 23 livestock species. However, policy focus on production intensification threatens traditional farming practices and the diversity of genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA). This Solution prioritizes in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation that reduces GRFA threats, exemplified by a project targeting three indigenous varieties—Yanzhi rice, Wudang tea, and black goat—and establishing demonstration sites in Xishui, Yunyang, and Danjiangkou to promote conservation approaches.

Green Pastures for Green Transition

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Apart from creating favorable conditions for a stable European ground squirrel population, the provision of 30 autochthonous sheep benefits the local community, the local shepherds in particular, and ensures the involvement of the local community in the sustainable management of the critical grassland habitat, whilst enhancing public awareness of the importance of grassland ecosystem conservatio

Local voices, sustainable forests: Participatory landscape restoration

In many African countries, agricultural growth remains a key driver of development. Agriculture ensures food security and is a source of rural income and employment. However, most small farms suffer from low productivity due to soil degradation, a lack of inputs and knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices, and the effects of climate change.

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Safeguarding long-term conservation of birds of prey in the Fruška Gora National Park

The supplementary feeding station for birds of prey in Fruška Gora National Park is crucial for birds of prey, especially during the winter. However, the operationality of the feeding site has been suspended in the past few years, as it was no longer possible to provide pig carcasses from local farms due to appearance of the African swine fever in Serbia.

The project provided a solution for the long-term sustainable operation of the feeding site through the use of a terrain vehicle with a trailer for the transport of larger cattle carcasses. Additionally, a video surveillance system with an integrated species recognition software facilitates the monitoring of species at supplementary feeding station. The National Park staff, in collaboration with the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, conducted raptor field monitoring activities, as well as capacity building activities for rangers and stakeholders for responding to emergencies involving birds of prey and education activities in nine primary schools in the area.

Improving the protection of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl population in Eastern Serbia

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is the world’s largest owl and a vital predatory bird ensuring ecosystem balance by controlling rodent and other small mammal populations. Despite protection under international and national laws, it faces threats from human disturbances such as habitat loss, electrocution, poisoning, and cultural persecution, leading to population decline. In Europe and Serbia, a lack of nesting sites and essential data on its distribution and habits further complicate conservation.

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Mungano: Maputo national park friends club- redefining conservation for impact

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Mundo Marino Eco: Hybrid Sailing Catamaran for Sustainable Nautical Tourism in Spain

Mundo Marino, a Spanish company operating along the Mediterranean coast (Valencia, Costa Blanca, and Málaga), has integrated sustainable practices into nautical tourism through the design and operation of hybrid and electric catamarans. The flagship vessel Mundo Marino Eco combines sail power with Torqeedo Deep Blue electric propulsion, solar panels, and hydrogeneration systems. This innovation reduces carbon emissions by 40% compared to conventional vessels, achieving an average of 22 g CO₂ per passenger/km.

The project goes beyond tourism, serving as a platform for environmental education, citizen science, and collaborations with research institutions in marine biodiversity monitoring. By offering sustainable maritime mobility and raising awareness among thousands of visitors each year, Mundo Marino contributes to reducing pressures on marine ecosystems, aligning with the objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework and supporting the 30×30 target in Mediterranean coastal waters.

Results-based budgeting in the Pak Kret City Municipality, Thailand: Integrating biodiversity targets into local government budgets

Pak Kret City Municipality is located on the Chao Phraya River plain in Thailand, an area with fertile soil for agriculture. The subdistrict is home to 63 native durian varieties, a flavorful tropical fruit. However, unplanned urban expansion, pollution, and climate change have threatened urban biodiversity and agricultural activities in Pak Kret. Its proximity to Bangkok, only 20 kilometers away, intensifies these pressures.

Amid this situation, Pak Kret City Municipality, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), adopted results-based budgeting: an approach that integrates biodiversity targets into government budgets, thereby increasing nature-positive investments.

As a result, Pak Kret invested USD 11 million (THB 372 million) — 17% of its total budget — in biodiversity in 2025, reflecting priority concerns to protect its distinctive durian variety, expand green spaces, and enhance air quality, water, and waste management systems.

Sri Lanka’s National Sustainable Tourism Certification scheme: Promoting sustainable experiences, supporting conservation, and catalyzing biodiversity finance

Habitat degradation, pollution, and over-exploitation have threatened Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity, which contains high levels of endemism. Moreover, an economic crisis that began in 2019 made it challenging to increase public funding for biodiversity. The COVID-19 pandemic aggravated this situation and added pressure to the livelihoods of those dependent on tourism.

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As of June 2025, 37 hotels, one destination, and 204 small and medium enterprises were certified. BIOFIN estimates that this initiative has catalyzed USD 4.026 million in investments for biodiversity.

Connectivity Conservation Initiative for Fresh Drinking Water (Konitsa, Greece)

The solution aims at maintaining ecological connectivity in the long-term by allowing the free movement for the endangered carnivores wolf and brown bear among their habitats considering climate change adaptation objectives. The conservation of ecological corridors between their habitats is essential to sustain biodiversity in a changing climate condition and to ensure the resilience of ecological services. In this framework, the proposed solution address the challenge of securing fresh water supply across corridors that can support basic needs of wildlife species. In addition, this solution is based on the documentation of traditional knowledge on sustainable water management engaging local communities and maintaining traditional building techniques related to cultural heritage.

From World Hertiage to Conservation

Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, also a key national scenic area, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1992. Named after the nine Tibetan villages within its boundaries, Jiuzhaigou boasts not only abundant flora and fauna but also its “Six Wonders”: alpine lake clusters, waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, blue ice formations, and Tibetan cultural charm, attracting countless visitors worldwide.

Remarkably, Jiuzhaigou has avoided ecological crises despite tourism development, achieving a win-win balance between economic benefits and environmental conservation. It stands as a successful model of implementing the principle “protection comes first, while tourism serves as the optimal development approach.”

Ceasing Harmful Coastal Construction Subsidies to Protect Biodiversity in the Surroundings of the Mrigadayavan Palace, Thailand

The Mrigadayavan Palace, built in 1924 between the beach towns of Cha-Am and Hua Hin, was the summer house of King Vajiravudh, who ruled until 1925. To prevent coastal erosion and protect this cultural landmark, The Marine Department of Thailand (Ministry of Transport) constructed groins, seawalls, and jetties along the beach near the palace. These rigid structures cost USD 8.4 million in subsidies.

National experts, partners, and the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) measured the impact of subsidies on ecosystems in Thailand. After the team found that rigid coastal structures had accelerated erosion instead of preventing it, they presented these results to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).

As a result, the Thai cabinet ceased subsidies for coastal rigid structures near the palace. Existing structures were replaced with nature-based solutions, restoring the ecosystem and protecting cultural heritage.